College Football Predictions – Charlotte 49ers 2020 College Football Preview
August 21, 2020
2019 Recap
Record – 7-6
ATS – 6-7
Yes, guy.
The 49ers got off to a tough start winning just two of their first seven games but they got on a MASSIVE HEATER and won their final five regular season games in a row. That enabled Charlotte to play in their first bowl game in school history and get a trip to the beautiful Bahamas. They fell to a tough Buffalo Bulls squad in that affair (L 31-9) but get full marks for not giving up on the season and bagging seven wins.
Do they have what it takes to book another winning year?
2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
East Division – #3
Conference USA – #5
Charlotte 49ers 2020 Outlook
OFFENSE
The 49ers relied upon a bruising ground attack (203 YPG, #1 C-USA) to control the clock (#3 ToP C-USA) and ultimately SCORE THE FOOTBALL (29.8 PPG, #4). QB Chris Reynolds is just a junior but has developed into a legitimate star to build around (2,564, 22-11 TD to INT, 700+ rush yards, 6 TD LY). Star 1,000-yard RB Benny LeMay is off to the NFL (Browns) but the 49ers are very happy to see Northern Illinois transfer Tre Harbison (1,000-yard rusher!) added to the roster. Last season’s #2 RB Chris McAllister will also play a key role in the run game. Reynolds gets his top-three (!) targets back at WR including Victor Tucker who accumulated a fine stat line LY (52-909, 17.5, 7 TD). Those three men combined for over 1,900 yards and 14 TDs LY. Only a pair of starters return up front but they do retain senior center Jaelin Fisher.
This is one of the better offenses in the conference and we expect to average 30 PPG for the first time since joining the FBS. Hopefully, new OC Mark Carney can keep the magic alive.
DEFENSE
Charlotte had a tough time on defense last year and were inefficient defending the pass (#9 C-USA pass efficiency D) and really poor vs the run (192 YPG, #10 C-USA). They allowed 27 TDs on the ground which was the third worst in the conference. There’s a lot to replace on defense despite the return of six starters. This year they’ll be without last year’s leading tackler safety Marquavis Gibbs, the school’s all-time leading tackler LB Jeff Gemmell, and their all-time sack-leader Alex Highsmith (14 LY) who’s off to the NFL (Steelers). They might be acceptable up front with the return of three starters including DE Markees Watts who bagged an impressive 9.5 sacks in 2019. The 49ers got a pair of transfers to add to the LB unit and also return Henry Segura (#5 tackles LY) who will probably slide in at MLB. The back end returns three starters but we worry a bit about the pass defense if they can’t find a replacement for some of Highsmith’s sack production.
This feels like an average or slightly-below average stop unit.
SPECIAL TEAMS
There’s continuity at PK and P and note that Jonathan Cruz nailed 10/13 FG attempts LY including 3/4 from 40+ yards. Charlotte was poor returning kickoffs and punts LY, and note that they finished near the bottom of the FBS (#128) in net punting in 2019. Maybe a new special teams coach will help. Maybe it won’t. <grabs popcorn>
Schedule Analysis
Overall -11 games are set. They have been looking for a 12th opponent but it doesn’t look good according to our DEEP CHARLOTTE FOOTBALL INSIDERS. Stay tuned. Their non-conference slate is pretty nasty. They have road games with Appalachian St, UNC (!), and Duke. Georgia St (H) is probably a win. The 49ers have seven (!) road games including three in a row near the end of the season. One piece of good news is that they avoid UAB.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Marshall (November 21st)
This will be their third road affair in 22 days and Huntington is a tough place to play.
Season Win Total
Waiting for Vegas/Offshore number.
MEGALOCKS says:
Waiting for Vegas/Offshore number.
Assuming the schedule (11 games) as it sits right now, we’d open the number in the vicinity of Over 5 +100, Under 5 -120.
MEGAmazing Tidbit
Charlotte joined Conference USA in 2015 and have already beaten every conference foe they have played at least once other than FIU, Rice, and UTSA (combined 0/9). They get another crack at FIU (0/5) on October 17th in Charlotte. They have never faced Louisiana Tech.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
Charlotte really caught fire in the second half of the 2019 campaign and will look to carry that momentum over into this year. The offense looks really good and they have one of the top QBs in the conference leading the way. The defense might be a problem and we expect lots of close, and relatively high-scoring games. The schedule is tough but they have to feel confident after last season’s finish, and it doesn’t hurt to have the best QB in the conference. SURPRISE PACKAGE ALERT.
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NEWS
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