North Carolina Tar Heels (9-5 Last Season) vs. South Carolina Gamecocks (8-5 Last Season)
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. South Carolina Gamecocks 9/2/23 – As college football action heats this September 2nd at Bank of America Stadium, two highly anticipated teams — North Carolina Tar Heels and South Carolina Gamecocks – prepare to compete. It promises an action-packed battle with a thrilling start to each new season for both sides.
North Carolina Tar Heels, coming off of a 9-5 campaign last season, are eager to make an impressionful first impression in this early season matchup. They are determined to change their fortunes after going 1-4 SU in their last five games against Division I opponents. Quarterback Drake Maye has been instrumental in leading them back. Amassing 4,321 passing yards with 38 touchdowns at an astounding 66% completion rate makes him an invaluable offensive asset. Elijah Green contributed 558 yards by running at an average pace of 4.3 yards per carry, while Bryson Nesbit added 507 receiving yards – providing variety in their offensive arsenal.
South Carolina Gamecocks come into this matchup boasting an 8-5 record from last season and 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games, showing greater consistency as they prepare to challenge the North Carolina Tar Heels. Quarterback Spencer Rattler has been their leader, passing for 3,026 yards and 18 touchdowns at a 66.2% completion rate while orchestrating an effective offense and making precise throws that set up Juju McDowell to contribute 219 yards rushing. In comparison, Antwane Wells Jr. adds firepower with 928 receiving yards from pass plays. For more insights and predictions, check out free college football analysis.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Game Info
| When: | Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 7:30 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Bank of America Stadium |
| TV: | ABC |
| Stream: | SofaScore |
Drake Maye QB and Spencer Rattler QB
North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye leads their passing attack with 4,321 passing yards and 38 touchdowns. Maye’s ability to locate targets downfield and execute precise throws will play an integral part in creating scoring opportunities for his team.
South Carolina Gamecocks offense relies heavily on quarterback Spencer Rattler, who has amassed 3,026 passing yards and 18 touchdowns since joining the team last season. Rattler’s precise accuracy in reading defenses and making accurate throws will play an integral part in realizing their offensive potential.
Odds/Point Spread: South Carolina Gamecocks +120, Total Odds: 53
South Carolina Gamecocks have had an impressive 7-3 success against North Carolina Tar Heels over their past 10 games, and we look to them as our moneyline pick. Their +2.5 point spread in favor of South Carolina matches up perfectly with our prediction of their potential victory; plus, their 15-2 start this season also supports our prediction. With both teams’ propensity for lower-scoring contests than usual, we expect total points below 64 in total points scored this game.
North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Trends
North Carolina enters this matchup with mixed betting trends. They have displayed difficulties against the spread, going 2-4 ATS over their past six games; these challenges extend to their performance against South Carolina, where they hold a subpar 1-4 record; against opponents from the SEC, North Carolina has battled mightily; they posted 1-5 against SEC opponents overall and posted an equally poor 2-7-1 mark in week one games (even as evidenced by an 8-13 record against them in Week 1). While North Carolina has demonstrated potential, these trends show signs of inconsistency that could impact how well they compete against the South Carolina Gamecocks’ formidable lineup.
South Carolina Gamecocks Betting Trends
At the other end of the spectrum lies South Carolina Gamecocks, bringing more favorable betting trends to this matchup. Their Week 1 game saw them achieve an outstanding 15-2 SU record to start strong early on in the season and hold an outstanding 6-2 ATS mark. South Carolina also faced challenges against ACC opponents; though only 2-6 in their last 8 SU matches at home, their overall performance reflected consistent competitiveness. Saturday’s success may give them an edge against the North Carolina Tar Heels in Week 1.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. South Carolina Gamecocks 9/2/23 Betting Picks
Based on an in-depth analysis and trends evaluation, our predictions point toward an exciting showdown in which the South Carolina Gamecocks emerge victorious by a score of 28-25. With their favorable trends and performances over time, South Carolina remains favored to beat North Carolina Tar Heels; however, their strategic execution and ability to capitalize on Week 1 strengths may give them the edge to claim victory in Week 1 as excitement builds up to kickoff day, excitement for an unforgettable clash that will mark an electrifying college football season. For more insights and predictions, check out free expert sports picks today.
Free Pick and Prediction: South Carolina Gamecocks will win 28-25