A key neutral site matchup on ESPN kicks off the season Thursday and North Carolina brings the stronger and superior offense against favored South Carolina.
ODDS
South Carolina is a 2-point favorite with a total of 64.5, and the Tar Heels may take some money by kickoff.
KEY MISMATCH
North Carolina’s offensive line and passing game against South Carolina’s defense is what will decide this game’s victor. The Tar Heels return 10 players to an offense that has averaged at least 425 yards per game each of the past three seasons including a passing attack at 275 yards per game last year.
Quarterback Marquise Williams passed for over 3,000 yards last season with 21 touchdown passes and just five interceptions, and also led the team in rushing with nearly 800 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The South Carolina defense had just 14 sacks and 52 tackles for loss last season to rank near the bottom of college football. While eight starters return and they plan on getting after the quarterback more with blitzing cornerbacks off the edge, the defense is void of top talent; the blitzing will backfire against this Tar Heels offense.
The Gamecocks allowed at least 200 yards per game both rushing and passing last year. While improvement is expected with a new co-defensive coordinator, it’s not a good match-up to start the season against this Tar Heels offense that should be strong and in top form out of the chute.
KEY STAT
The Tar Heels defense was a disaster last season allowing 39 points and nearly 500 yards per game.
A top new coordinator, position coaches and 4-3 scheme will have them playing better up front with much improvement in the secondary as four starters and seven of the top eight return from an unexpected poor showing last year.
The common opponent last season was Clemson, and while both teams lost to the Tigers, North Carolina was far more competitive in rolling up 478 yards of offense and 35 points versus 339 yards and 17 points for South Carolina.
BETTING ANGLE
North Carolina went 0-5 ATS to start last season and won just two of those games. They will play with a chip on their shoulder more this season as their coach is on the hot seat.
South Carolina has won five of the last six in this series dating back to 1988 including the last in Columbia, 27-10 back in 2013. The highest-scoring game of those six was 47 points.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
South Carolina sophomore quarterback Connor Mitch has a calm, under control personality, but the Raleigh, NC native will throw his first college pass against a Power-5 team. He knows many players on the Tar Heels, but the lack of college game experience is a factor in determining this week’s winner.
He does have the SEC’s leading receiver returning in Pharoh Cooper and will take shots down field against a porous NC secondary, but the Tar Heels will be improved on defense under new coordinator and former Iowa State and Auburn head coach Gene Chizik.
UNC will bring more pressure packages against the quarterback, and in this case the Gamecocks starter has very limited experience.
South Carolina does have stronger special teams and the superior kicker, but they aren’t likely to be as explosive on offense to match the firepower of North Carolina.
Some close to the program believe this is the year that Fedora has been building toward. The talent and experience is there on offense, and they made a strong hire in Chizik on defense. The Tar Heels offense is talented, together and won’t let up.
North Carolina 37, South Carolina 31
The college football odds for this game were first available at BookMaker Sportsbook. The South Carolina Gamecocks were pegged as 2.5-point chalk while the total opened at 63.5. Minute-by-minute spreads, totals and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and North Carolina Tar Heels will start at 6:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 3, 2015, at Bank of America Stadium. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
