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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
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Pete Fiutak

North Carolina vs. Mercer Fearless Prediction, Game Preview


North Carolina vs. Mercer fearless prediction and game preview.


North Carolina vs. Mercer Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 23
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
Venue: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC
Network: ACC Network X

All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

North Carolina (4-6) vs. Mercer (4-7) Game Preview

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Why Mercer Will Win

North Carolina is struggling in close games … again.

That was the problem for a few years under Larry Fedora, and now it’s an issue with all six defeats by a touchdown or less, including in losses in three of the last four games.

Mercer is a true paycheck game, but it has a decent pass defense, the offensive line is solid enough to not be a problem, and the O is decent at coming up with third down stops.

The Tar Heel offensive line is giving up plays in the backfield on a regular basis, and it’s not just because it dealt with Pitt and the nation’s best pass rush last week. Mercer doesn’t release the hounds behind the line, but this is the game to at least pull out all of the stops to pressure Sam Howell and a UNC offense that’s been way too inconsistent. But …

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Why North Carolina Will Win

Mercer’s defense is awful.

North Carolina needs to win this game and get out fast. It has to win this and beat NC State on the road next week to get bowl eligible, and it should be able to get off to a big start against a Bear team that can’t stop anyone’s running game and should get hit for big play after big play.

Mercer has to try to get to Howell, but it doesn’t have anyone to worry about up front. There’s a good chance the passing game gets all the times it needs to work.

Even though he’s been getting bounced around and he takes too many hits, Howell has been ultra-efficient. He should be able to bomb away without a problem – Mercer doesn’t take the ball away.

What’s Going To Happen

FINALLY, North Carolina will get to enjoy a nice and easy win without any real drama.

It really has been insane – nine of the ten Tar Heel games have been decided by seven points or fewer, with the 38-22 win over Georgia Tech the lone exception.

The Tar Heels will get up fast, have control of the clock for at least 35 minutes, and have a fun and easy final home game of the year.


North Carolina vs. Mercer Prediction, Line

North Carolina 48, Mercer 10
Bet on UNC vs. Mercer with BetMGM, or for latest line 
COMING, o/u: COMING
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
ATS Confidence out of 5: COMING
Get Tickets For This Game

Must See Rating: 1

5: Citizen K
1: Frozen II

Bowl Projections | CFN Rankings
Predicting The Rest of the Season

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