The North Texas Mean Green are set to face off against the Charlotte 49ers in a college football matchup that’s getting plenty of buzz. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2, and North Texas comes in as the heavy favorite.
The Mean Green are riding the momentum from a strong season and hope to keep their winning streak alive. Meanwhile, Charlotte’s still searching for answers after a rough stretch.
Bookmakers have North Texas favored by 26.5 points. The total over/under sits at 61.5, so it’s shaping up to be a game that could light up the scoreboard for both fans and bettors.
Game Overview: North Texas vs. Charlotte
North Texas is 6-1 and already bowl-eligible—tough to argue with that kind of record. Their offense has been a real highlight, especially with quarterback Drew Mestemaker at the helm.
Mestemaker’s thrown 17 touchdowns this season, putting him among the best in the American Athletic Conference. In the backfield, Caleb Hawkins and McKenzie McGill II have created a one-two punch that’s hard for defenses to handle.
North Texas Offense: A Force to Be Reckoned With
This offense isn’t just about flashy plays; they grind out yards and keep the chains moving. Mestemaker’s versatility—he can throw and run—forces defenses to stay on their toes.
They’ve put up some eye-popping numbers, like 55 points against UTSA and 59 against Washington State. That’s not easy to do, no matter who you’re playing.
Defensive Strengths and Weaknesses
The defense isn’t elite, but it’s held up well enough behind the offense. Da’Veawn Armstead and David Fisher have been standouts in the secondary.
Defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity deserves some credit for turning things around, but there are still gaps. North Texas allows about 30 points per game, ranking 97th nationally.
Even so, they’ve had moments—like holding Washington State to just 10 points—that show what they’re capable of when things click.
Charlotte 49ers: Struggling to Find Their Footing
Charlotte’s season has been tough, with an 0-6 record against FBS teams. They’re ranked near the bottom nationally in scoring margin and available yards margin.
Turnovers have been a big issue, too—they’re sixth-worst in the FBS for most turnovers. After quarterback Conner Harrell’s season-ending injury, sophomore Grayson Loftis took over, but he’s had trouble finding his rhythm.
He’s thrown three touchdowns and four interceptions, so it’s been a rocky adjustment. The offense just hasn’t found its groove.
Offensive Challenges
Charlotte’s offense is pretty stagnant and lacks go-to playmakers to help Loftis out. The offensive line hasn’t helped matters, with injuries and shuffling making it tough to build any consistency.
Seven linemen have each played at least 100 snaps, but there’s been no real stability up front. That kind of turnover makes it hard for anyone to get comfortable or build momentum.
Defensive Struggles
The 49ers’ defense has had its hands full all season. They’ve given up big numbers to efficient offenses, like 49 points to Temple and 54 to South Florida.
Even when facing teams like Rice and Army, Charlotte’s struggled to keep opponents under 35 points. It’s been a long season for that unit, to say the least.
Betting Odds and Predictions
North Texas opened as a 27.5-point favorite, but that’s ticked down to 26.5. The over/under has crept up from 58.5 to 61.5.
With North Texas’s knack for putting up points and Charlotte’s defensive woes, it feels like the over is a tempting bet. The Mean Green like to score early and often, which could mean more possessions and more chances for both sides to rack up points.
Why the Over Is a Good Bet
North Texas has hit the over in five of seven games this season. Even Charlotte, despite all their struggles, has gone 4-3 to the over, mostly because they allow so many points.
It just seems likely this one turns into another high-scoring shootout. North Texas should do most of the heavy lifting, but if Charlotte can sneak in a couple touchdowns, that total of 61.5 could be in reach.
Final Thoughts
This matchup between North Texas and Charlotte looks pretty one-sided. North Texas just seems stronger on both offense and defense.
Charlotte, on the other hand, has had a rough go—struggling to get much going on either side of the ball. The Mean Green have been more reliable and can mix things up when they need to.
If you’re thinking about betting, that over/under of 61.5 is interesting. North Texas’s offense could easily push the game toward a high-scoring affair, though you never know when things get weird.
Curious for more details or want a deeper dive? Check out the full article on North Texas vs. Charlotte prediction & pick.
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