North Carolina vs South Carolina Expert Pick & Analysis

Focus Shifts to Battle of Star Quarterbacks

College football is almost here. North Carolina and South Carolina will square off Sept. 2 in Charlotte amidst all the pomp and circumstance of a border rivalry.

What side will have the edge? South Carolina was posted as a field-goal underdog as of last week and has now been bet down to +2.5, showing that the early money is favoring the Gamecocks. Meanwhile, the projected total has made a noticeable jump from 62 to 64.5. Read on as we break down both teams and give our pick to win.

As Goes Maye, So Goes UNC

The North Carolina Tar Heels are all about Drake Maye. That was the case last year, and it hasn’t changed. They go as he goes.

Maye was sensational as a freshman, passing for a school-record 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns while rushing for seven more, taking the reins of the offense from the very first moment. He accumulated a slew of accolades, earning ACC Player of the Year honors and becoming a Freshman All-American.

And the Tar Heels? They benefited too. The Tar Heels won nine games, rose to No. 13 in the country and reached the ACC title game, where they lost to Clemson.

With a year under his belt, expectations are increasing for 2023. The Tar Heels are back in the polls, ranked No. 21 in the preseason AP Top 25, and Maye is on the shortlist of contenders for the Heisman Trophy. He’s currently priced +1600, tied for the sixth best odds on the board.

Someday, the NFL will come calling. But Maye still has work to do before he can fulfill that promise. Projected for 8.5 wins, the Tar Heels have the makings of a very good team, one that could contend with the likes of Clemson and Florida State in pursuit of its first ACC championship since 1980.

To help support Maye, head coach Mack Brown brought in transfer receivers Nate McCollum (Georgia Tech) and Devontez Walker (Kent State), in addition to a new offensive coordinator in Chip Lindsey. That should bode well for the Tar Heels.

It’s Rattler’s Time to Shine

Spencer Rattler’s breakup from Oklahoma led him to South Carolina, where he showed flashes of stardom but not enough poise and polish to leave a lasting impression. He threw for 3,026 yards and 18 touchdowns, including six in a wild 63-38 upset of fifth-ranked Tennessee. But Rattler also tossed 12 interceptions while being sacked 31 times. Still, the Gamecocks tasted some success, winning eight games (their most since 2017) and making the Gator Bowl, where they fell to Notre Dame.

South Carolina may not be on par with the top of the SEC – frankly, who is? – but it still should be potent. The Gamecocks are projected for 6.0 wins, a modest total that can be eclipsed given Rattler’s talent.

After exceeding expectations the last two years, head coach Frank Beamer brought in a new offensive coordinator in Dowell Loggains. Loggains, 42, has a long list of NFL credentials, having most notably served as the New York Jets’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2019-20. Will he be able to squeeze the most out of Rattler?

The offensive line remains a big concern, but Rattler will at least have some help on the perimeter from Juice Wells, one of the nation’s top receivers. Arkansas transfer Trey Knox should also help at tight end.

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