North Carolina chases another 4-0 start when it hosts James Madison

James Madison (2-0) at North Carolina (3-0), Saturday, noon ET (ACC Network)

BetMGM College Football Odds: UNC by 10 1/2.

Series record: UNC leads 3-0.

What’s at stake?

UNC is chasing a second straight 4-0 start despite facing uncertainty and injuries at quarterback. James Madison won its opener at Charlotte and then at home against Gardner-Webb before having an open week leading into this trip to Chapel Hill.

Key matchup

JMU's run defense against UNC RB Omarion Hampton. The Dukes, a member of the Sun Belt Conference, have allowed their first two opponents to average 120 yards on the ground and 3.6 yards per attempt. The 120-yard average is fourth among Sun Belt teams. Hampton is No. 6 nationally in average rushing (138.7) and fourth in rushing yards (416). His 210-yard effort last week against North Carolina Central is the No. 4 output by a Bowl Subdivision player all season.

Players to watch

JMU: RB George Pettaway. He spent the past two seasons at UNC before Hampton blossomed into a leading role and became an Associated Press second-team All-American last year. Pettaway ran for a touchdown against Charlotte and 84 yards against Gardner-Webb. He's averaging 6.3 yards per attempt in two games.

UNC: QB Jacolby Criswell. UNC lost starting quarterback Max Johnson in the season opener, then Conner Harrell struggled in a Week 3 win. That opened the door for Criswell, who started his career at UNC before transferring for a year to Arkansas and then returning to Chapel Hill. .Mack Brown has said he expects both QBs will play this weekend.

Facts & figures

The first meeting came in 2007 to start Butch Davis' tenure at UNC, with the Tar Heels winning 37-14. UNC also won home games in 2011 (42-10) and 2016 (56-28). ... James Madison was picked to finish second in the Sun Belt's East Division, while UNC was picked eighth in the 17-team Atlantic Coast Conference. ... James Madison is seventh nationally in average scoring defense (6.5 points) after allowing just 13 points through two games. ... James Madison is also 14th in turnover margin (plus-1.5) and in the top 25 for fewest penalties and penalty yards per game. ... Before last year's 6-0 start, UNC hadn't been 4-0 to start a season since 1997, when the Tar Heels won their first eight games in an 11-1 season.

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