North Carolina Tar Heels vs South Carolina Gamecocks Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 09/02/2023

Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, September 2, 2023

Venue:  Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

Where to Watch:  ABC

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  UNC -2.5, South Carolina +2.5; Over/Under:  64.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  UNC -2.5, South Carolina +2.5; Over/Under:  64.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  UNC -2.5, South Carolina +2.5; Over/Under:  64.5 points

North Carolina Tar Heels:  0-0 (ACC)

South Carolina Gamecocks:  0-0 (SEC East)

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North Carolina Tar Heels:  N/A

South Carolina Gamecocks:  N/A

North Carolina finished last season with a 9-5 record overall and they had a 6-2 record in their conference games too. They were 3-3 in their home games, 6-0 in their road games, and they were also 0-2 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be at a neutral site for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 34.4 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 30.8 points per game. Their offense also averaged 462.8 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 436.5 yards per game. Drake Maye led the team in passing yards with 4321, Drake Maye led the team in rushing yards with 698, and Josh Downs led the team in receiving yards with 1029.

 

 

 

South Carolina finished last season with a 7-6 record overall and they had a 5-3 record in their conference games too. They were 4-2 in their home games, 3-3 in their road games, and they were also 0-1 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be at a neutral site for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 32.2 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 28.8 points per game. Their offense also averaged 378.8 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 404.7 yards per game. Spencer Rattler led the team in passing yards with 3026, Marshawn Lloyd led the team in rushing yards with 573, and Antwane Wells Jr. led the team in receiving yards with 928.

The current betting odds have North Carolina listed as a 2.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. North Carolina had a really good season last year with their 9-5 record overall and they were even 6-2 in their conference games. They didn't do much in the transfer portal to improve their team for this season but they didn't lose a lot of production either and they are still going to be a really good team just like last season. Meanwhile, South Carolina was only 7-6 overall last season and they did lose some production in the transfer portal so they are going to take a step back this season. This game is also going to be played at a neutral site but the neutral site for this game is also going to be in North Carolina so already UNC has a bit more of a home advantage there. UNC was also 6-0 in their road games last season so they have no trouble playing games that aren't in their stadium and this team will be looking to get off to another great start this season. The best way to place a bet here is on North Carolina to cover the spread in this game. 

North Carolina South Carolina Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, September 2, 2023 (7:30 pm ET start time) is North Carolina 35 South Carolina 21.

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North Carolina Tar Heels: 6-12 ATS as a favorite. 1-5 ATS on a neutral field where the total is greater than or equal to 63. 6-3 OVER in non-conference games. 6-2 OVER in the first month of the season.

South Carolina Gamecocks: 9-3 ATS as a neutral field underdog. 8-2 ATS in non-conference games. 6-1 OVER when the total is between 63.5 and 70. 9-3 OVER as a neutral field underdog.

North Carolina Tar Heels:  D. Walker (WR) Prob Sat - Eligibility. J. Randolph (TE) out for season - Lower Body. L. Cavazos (DB) Out indefinitely - Lower Body. R. Grigsby (OL) Out indefinitely - Lower Body.

South Carolina Gamecocks:  R. Mikeska (TE) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. A. Wells Jr. (WR) Prob Sat - Lower Body. E. Lewis (WR) Ques Sat - Undisclosed.

“We’re jumping in with both feet. We’ve got a great challenge in South Carolina. They had a lot of momentum at the end of the season.” - Mack Brown on his team’s season opener against South Carolina.

"I'll always shoot you guys straight, I'm disappointed with how we practiced today. We did not practice like it was game week. It wasn't everyone, but we had too many individuals and too many groups who practiced like everything is going to be okay on Saturday." - Shane Beamer on his team coming into this 1st game of the new college football season.

WR Walker, Devontez 

WR Blackwell, Gavin 

WR McCollum, Nate 

TE Copenhaver, John 

QB Maye, Drake 

RB Brooks, British 

WR Wells Jr., Antwane 

WR Legette, Xavier RS SR

WR Brown, Ahmarean 

TE Knox, Trey 

QB Rattler, Spencer 

RB Joyner, Dakereon 

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Coaches:

North Carolina Tar Heels: Mack Brown (5th season)

South Carolina Gamecocks: Shane Beamer (3rd season)