The Citadel at Charlotte

Up front is where the game should turn. Charlotte added Penn State tackle J'ven Williams and Wyoming interior lineman Luke Sandy, placing fresh attention on an offensive line that must keep whichever quarterback plays out of obvious passing situations against The Citadel’s defensive front. On the other side, Curtis Simpson gives Charlotte’s front a returning disruptor after recording 31 total tackles, 2.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss in 2025. If the 49ers control both lines, their unsettled quarterback situation becomes much easier to manage, and the visitors will have fewer ways to apply pressure.

Charlotte’s cleanest route is to lean on its added linemen, give Loftis, Harrell or another choice straightforward throws, and let Simpson’s front force The Citadel into long-yardage snaps. The Citadel’s path is the inverse: muddy the early downs, deny Charlotte an easy rhythm and keep the game compressed by sustaining drives and avoiding giveaways. The longer Charlotte needs to identify its best answer at quarterback, the more valuable patience and field position become for the visitors; a decisive early performance in the trenches would let the 49ers dictate terms instead.