UNC vs. South Carolina Prediction, Pick, Odds: Will the Gamecocks Upset Drake Maye, Tar Heels?
It's the battle in the Carolinas this weekend when UNC takes on South Carolina. Will the Gamecocks upset Drake Maye, Tar Heels? Matthew MacKay breaks down the UNC vs. South Carolina game and shares his prediction and pick.
Matt MacKay - August 28, 2023, 10:57 AM EDT
5 minUNC vs. South Carolina Prediction, Pick, Odds: Will the Gamecocks Upset Drake Maye, Tar Heels?
We've got a great matchup reserved for Saturday night on the Week 1 college football slate between the University of North Carolina Tar Heels and South Carolina Gamecocks. Dubbed the Dukes Mayo Classic, this game will be played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, featuring two quarterbacks who could wind up as Heisman Trophy finalists at the end of the season.
Drake Maye had a spectacular season with the Tar Heels in 2022, but so did South Carolina signal-caller Spencer Rattler, who lit up defenses in multiple games, including six passing touchdowns against Tennessee with an 81.1 percent completion rate and zero interceptions. Rattler will continue to have most of his playmakers from a year ago in the Gamecocks' wide receiving corps, while Maye gained two new wideouts, Devontez Walker and Nate McCollum, from the transfer portal.
Oddsmakers expect a close contest in Charlotte, giving a slight edge to UNC with -140 moneyline odds. The point total is set high at 64.5, with -110 odds on either side, which is indicative of a potentially high-scoring shootout between two of the best quarterbacks in the country. A 2.5-point spread means bettors have to navigate the hook, so losing by a field goal won't cut it for the Gamecocks, who have been serious disruptors in this series dating back to 2013.
Will UNC pile up points and get off to another fast start like they did a year ago in their season opener against Florida A&M? Or will South Carolina keep its offense humming under head coach Shane Beamer and Rattler airing it out with confidence in this highly anticipated matchup? Here are our picks, predictions, and odds ahead of Saturday night's game between the UNC Tar Heels vs. South Carolina Gamecocks.
UNC vs. South Carolina Start Time, Where To Watch, Odds
- Date: Saturday, September 2, 2023
- Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: ABC
UNC vs. South Carolina Odds
- Spread: UNC -2.5 (-115), South Carolina +2.5 (-105)
- Total Odds: Under 64.5 (-110), Over 64.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: UNC (-140), South Carolina (+116)
UNC vs. South Carolina Injury Report
UNC
Questionable: WR Devontez Walker (Eligibility)
Out: DB Lejond Cavazos (Lower Body), R.J. Grigsby (Lower Body)
SOUTH CAROLINA
Probable: WR Antwane Wells Jr. (Lower Body)
Questionable: TE Reid Mikeska (Undisclosed), WR Eddie Lewis (Undisclosed)
Out: N/A
UNC vs. South Carolina Prediction
We've already covered how talented Maye and Rattler were in 2022, so expect more of the same in 2023. Rattler led South Carolina to a strong finish last season, beating No. 5 Tennessee 63-38, Clemson 31-30 the following week, and falling just short of beating Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl.
It was a different story for the Tar Heels' late-season aspirations, as UNC lost four consecutive games, including a 28-27 loss to Oregon in the Holiday Bowl, to lose all of its momentum created earlier in the year. The offense went from scoring 30-plus per game to 27 points or fewer in four straight contests. The good news is that head coach Mack Brown has seen it all during his extensive coaching tenure at different Power 5 schools, so the Tar Heels will be ready for a reset and a fresh start in Charlotte.
South Carolina is not an easy opponent to beat, even without a top-tier quarterback like Rattler. The Gamecocks' defense did give up big plays, but they managed to hold seven of its first nine opponents under 30 total points in 2022. Beamer deploys a physical style on both sides of the line of scrimmage, which could cause fits for Maye, who is incredibly athletic but playing behind a mediocre offensive line without a top-tier RB1. This forces Maye into being the RB1 for the Tar Heels, as he led the team in rushing yards, going 184-698-7 last season.
The Gamecocks have won three of the past four matchups head-to-head against the Tar Heels, including a 38-21 win in South Carolina back in 2021. UNC has only covered -2.5 once in its past four matchups, with a 24-20 win in 2019. Rattler is red-hot and playing with confidence from his finishing stretch last season. Plus, we're getting great value on the Gamecocks' spread and moneyline odds.
I'm indifferent towards the point total line set at 64.5, as this could be a bit of a trap since none of the previous matchups have exceeded 59 total points. Instead, let's ride with the underdog in this matchup. We're placing two units on the South Carolina Gamecocks' moneyline at plus odds ahead of Rattler's dominant outing during the 2023 Duke's Mayo Classic.
UNC vs. South Carolina Pick
- South Carolina Moneyline +116 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
College Football Odds
