South Carolina vs. UNC Prediction
No. 21 North Carolina will kick off its season against non-conference foe South Carolina at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Will the Tar Heels cover as 2.5-point favorites or is there a better bet on the board tonight at Bank of American Stadium?
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
179 North Carolina Tar Heels (-2.5) at 180 South Carolina Gamecocks (+2.5); o/u 63.5
7:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, September 2, 2023
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
North Carolina vs. South Carolina Public Betting Information
As of this writing, our CFB Public Betting page shows that 66% of bets are on Utah State. That said, this page is updated frequently so make sure that you click on the link provided so that you’re getting the most updated information.
North Carolina Tar Heels Game Notes
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of North Carolina’s last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of North Carolina’s last 5 games when playing South Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 4 of South Carolina’s last 5 games
South Carolina is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing North Carolina
South Carolina Gamecocks Game Notes
Juju McDowell logged an impressive week of practice for the Gamecocks ahead of Saturday’s opener against UNC, Mike Uva of GamecockCentral.com reports. McDowell was limited by an injury during spring ball, but the junior running back is back to full strength and impressing coaches ahead of the 2023 season. McDowell is viewed as Dakereon Joyner’s primary backup for the upcoming season, and he is expected to get a lot of receiving work out of the backfield again. McDowell compiled 62 carries for 219 yards and two touchdowns, along with 24 receptions for 205 yards and one receiving touchdown in 2022.
North Carolina Tar Heels Game Notes
British Brooks is listed as a co-starter ahead of Saturday’s game against South Carolina. Brooks is listed alongside Omarion Hampton as co-starters for Saturday’s season opener. The 5-foot-11 is finally back and healthy after missing the 2022 season with a lower body injury. Brooks and Hampton will likely rush by committee alongside quarterback Drake Maye, who led the team in rushing last season.
North Carolina vs. South Carolina Betting Trends
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of North Carolina’s last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of North Carolina’s last 5 games when playing South Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 4 of South Carolina’s last 5 games
South Carolina is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing North Carolina
North Carolina vs. South Carolina Betting Prediction
Give me South Carolina. North Carolina doesn’t play defense. It doesn’t tackle well, it doesn’t generate many big plays. They also don’t have much of a pass rush and the secondary allowed 271 yards per game a year ago in the ACC (which is somewhat misleading given how much opposing offenses needed to keep throwing to keep up with the UNC offense). Nonetheless, Spencer Rattler leads South Carolina and while he’s inconsistent, he can be explosive. In what should be a fun, back-and-forth affair, give me the underdog tonight in Carolina.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 1 PREDICTION: SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS +2.5