A final look at South Carolina and North Carolina as they matchup this weekend.
South Carolina is a 7.5 point favorite.
I like to look at the series between the 2 schools. These Numbers are from www.winsipedia.com.
The Tarheels hold a 15 game lead in the series. The gamecocks have won 7 out of the last nine in the series. Including a 17-13 win in Charlotte in 2015.
Skai Moore led the way as the Gamecocks pick up the win. The Tarheels last win in the series came in 1991 in Chapel Hill 21-17.
How did the teams fair in the last game they played? UNC is coming off of a 2-9 season they would like to forget. The Heels fell in the season finale to NC State 34-28.
South Carolina had a dreadful performance in The Belk Bowl as they were shut out by Virginia 28-0
Both teams enter the season unranked, but South Carolina received fifteen votes in the AP Top 25. North Carolina did not receive any votes in the AP Top 25.
This game is a huge game for both teams. For North Carolina, a win would be a great start to Mack Brown’s second stint as a coach at North Carolina.South Carolina has the hardest schedule according to ESPN FPI, and needs to get off to a hot start. Will the gamecock fanbase start to squirm a little bit with Muschamp if the gamecocks fall short?
Impact players for South Carolina:
Jake Bentley is at Quarterback and has been turnover prone. Will we get to see the backup Ryan Hilsinki? Turnovers will certainly play a role in the outcome, and though Bentley is prone to throwing the ball to the other team at times, North Carolina has intercepted only 15 passes in the last three years combined.
I think we will see a committee approach at running back should back with Rico Dowdle as the starter but look for Clemson transfer Tavien Feaster to be the feature back.
The North Carolina Defense is an absolute mystery. Andrew Jones from Tarheel Ilustrated joined the show this week and he expects the gamecocks to put up big numbers.
Interesting stat:
This will be Will Muschamp’s eighth year as a head coach and fourth year at South Carolina. He is 7-0 all time in opening games.
2011: Florida win over Florida Atlantic
2012: Florida win over Bowling Green
2013: Florida win over Toledo
2014: Florida win over Eastern Michigan
2016: South Carolina win over Vanderbilt
2017: South Carolina win over North Carolina State
2018: South Carolina win over Coastal Carolina
My Pick.
I think South Carolina has to much for the Tarheels. Look for the gamecocks to win the game pulling away in the 4th quarter.
South Carolina 31- North Carolina 17