First look: Top storylines, betting odds for South Carolina vs. UNC football game
College football is just days away for the Carolinas.
Coach Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks open their 2023 season Saturday against UNC, ranked No. 21 in the preseason AP Top 25, in the Duke’s Mayo Classic game. Here’s a first look at the game.
South Carolina vs. UNC game, TV info
Who: South Carolina (0-0, 0-0 SEC) vs. UNC (0-0, 0-0 ACC)
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
TV: ABC
Vegas odds: South Carolina vs. UNC point spread
The Gamecocks are 2.5-point underdogs against the Tar Heels, according to DraftKings. The over/under is 63.5 points.
USC vs. UNC last meeting, trends
South Carolina beat UNC 38-21 in the team’s 2021 meeting at the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. The Tar Heels, however, lead the all-time series 35-20-4.
State of the South Carolina Gamecocks
USC’s opener against UNC will serve as an early test for the Gamecocks, who seek to prove their back-to-back ranked wins last year were not a fluke.
South Carolina ended the 2022 regular season with wins over then-No. 5 Tennessee and then-No. 8 Clemson. Quarterback Spencer Rattler combined for 798 yards and eight touchdowns over those two contests. He entered the Tennessee game still trying to find his groove, having thrown nine interceptions and eight touchdowns on the year while averaging 198 passing yards per game.
The Gamecocks bring back Rattler and the SEC’s best returning wide receiver in Antwane “Juice” Wells. They also added new offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, who has the team abuzz with excitement to debut his offense Saturday.
State of the North Carolina Tar Heels
The Tar Heels ended last season with four straight losses after starting 9-1.
But it’s a new year. And they’re armed with one of the most-talked-about quarterbacks in the country and a No. 21 preseason ranking heading into Week 1. Signal caller Drake Maye has the potential to be UNC’s first Heisman Trophy winner. Opening with a win will be crucial in keeping his campaign alive.
Even with that hype, UNC was predicted to finish third in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
South Carolina vs. UNC players to watch
South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler: Rattler looks to parlay his stellar 2022 regular-season finale into a strong 2023 start.
South Carolina WR Antwane Wells Jr.: Wells had 68 catches for 928 yards — the second-most in the Southeastern Conference — in his debut season with the Gamecocks. He has been dealing with a lower-body injury during camp, Beamer said, but should be good to play and make an impact Week 1.
South Carolina RB Dakereon Joyner: The sixth-year senior is preparing for his first season as a running back. He has previously spent time at wide receiver, quarterback and deep returner on kickoffs. Beamer likes what he’s seen from Joyner so much that he’s declared him the starter.
UNC QB Drake Maye: Maye enters this season as one of the nation’s top Heisman candidates. Last year he threw for 4,321 yards, ran for 698 and produced 45 total touchdowns en route to UNC’s ACC Coastal Division title.
UNC LB Cedric Gray: Last year Gray earned All-ACC honors after recording a Power 5-best 145 tackles — including 12 for loss — a sack, two interceptions and three forced fumbles.
