N. Carolina vs. S. Carolina Prediction
Who will come out with the cover when cross-state rivals meet up today at 3:30PM ET, with North Carolina clashing with South Carolina?
Game Snapshot & Odds
181 South Carolina vs. 182 North Carolina
Saturday, August 31, 2019
3:30PM ET – Bank of America Stadium
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, South Carolina is favored in this game, as the Gamecocks are getting odds of -11 points against North Carolina. The over/under total is listed at 63 points. The public betting currently has 63 percent going on South Carolina as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Mack Brown returns to UNC
North Carolina made a big splash in the offseason, hiring former coach Mack Brown to take over the team again after the Heels went 2-9 overall in 2018 and 1-7 in the ACC. He coached the team from 1989-98, posting three 10-win seasons. UNC was 5-5-1 against the spread last year and 7-3-1 with the over.
The UNC offense averaged just 27.4 points and 442.1 yards per game last season. The offense has just five starters back this year and will be working in a new quarterback. True freshman Sam Howell is going to get the start in this game. He has a relatively inexperience line in front of him and no skill-position players that had much impact last season. Michael Carter was the leading rusher with 597 yards and two touchdowns. He is back in the backfield this year. Defensively, UNC gave up 34.5 points and 447.6 yards per game. Their rush defense was among the worst in the country at 218.8 yards per game.
Gamecocks hoping for next step
South Carolina is coming off a 7-6 record in the 2018 season where the Gamecocks were 4-4 in the SEC. SC is coming into its fourth season with head coach Will Muschamp. The Gamecocks were 7-6 against the spread last season and 7-6 with the over.
South Carolina brings back six starters on offense this season from a unit that averaged 30.1 points and 425.6 yards per game. Jake Bentley returns under center after throwing for 3,171 yards and 27 touchdowns last year. He has one of his top receivers back in Bryan Edwards, who had 55 catches for 846 yards and seven touchdown sin 2018. SC has to improve on its run game, which averaged just 152.8 yards per contest last season. Defensively, South Carolina gave up 27.2 points and 424.3 yards per contest last year.
College Football Betting Trends
North Carolina
UNC has failed to cover in four straight games in August and is 1-5 ATS in its last six at a neutral site.
South Carolina
South Carolina is 6-1 against the spread in its last seven games at a neutral site and 12-5 ATS in its last 17 against ACC opponents.
Prediction:
UNC is likely to have some buzz this year with Brown returning to coach, but he’s not going to be able to solve all of the Tar Heels’ problems in Week 1. UNC is probably going to be sloppy on both sides of the ball. While South Carolina is far from a flawless team, the Gamecocks are far ahead of UNC right now in terms of being able to build momentum and familiarity with the system they are in. I expect South Carolina to win this game comfortably while UNC has a few nice moments.
College Football Week 1 Prediction: South Carolina -11
Related: North Carolina vs. South Carolina Total Prediction