South Carolina vs North Carolina 8/31/19 - College Football Betting Odds & Picks
South Carolina Gamecocks vs. North Carolina Tar Heels
NCAAF: 3:30 PM EST
Aug. 31, 2019
TV: ESPN
Latest Odds : SCAR -7
The South Carolina Gamecocks are set to visit Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina for a Week 1 clash against the North Carolina Tar Heels. The South Carolina Gamecocks are looking to expand off their success from the 2018 season as they went 7-6 with an appearance in the Belk Bowl. The Gamecocks will return their star QB in Jake Bentley who contributed 3171 passing yards, 27 TDs, and 14 interceptions last season. Bentley will return one of his top WRs from last season as Bryan Edwards pitched in 846 receiving yards and 7 TDs.
The South Carolina Gamecocks will need to improve on the defensive side of the ball if they want to make a run at the SEC East as they finished last year ranked 69th in points allowed. The Gamecocks will return their leading tackler from the 2018 season as T.J. Brunson contributed 106 tackles and 10.5 TFL. South Carolina will notice a difference in the secondary as they will be without Rashad Fenton who pitched in a team-high 3 interceptions last season.
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The North Carolina Tar Heels will be looking to rebound after finishing the 2018 season with a 2-9 record, and they made a big step in that direction by hiring Mack Brown. The Tar Heels had a ton of problems at the QB position last season, but they addressed that need on the recruiting trail as they brought in 4-star Sam Howell who looks like the favorite to win the job. The ground attack should once again be well-balanced as the Heels return Michael Carter and Antonio Williams who combined for 1101 yards and 7 TDs last year.
The North Carolina Tar Heels will need to drastically improve on the defensive side of the ball if they want to make a bowl game as they finished last season ranked 107th in points allowed. The Tar Heels will need to replace their leading tackler from a year ago as Cole Holcomb moved on to the NFL after contributing 104 tackles. The pass rush will also need to step up after they lost Malik Carney who had a team-high 12 TFL and 6 sacks last season.
Recent Betting Trends:
Gamecocks are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games.
Under is 4-1 in Gamecocks last 5 games in August.
Tar Heels are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games.
Over is 6-2-1 in Tar Heels last 9 games on grass.
Free Betting Pick: South Carolina Gamecocks -7
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a program to watch in the coming years, but for the time being I still don’t think they will turn things around and be a bowl team this season. The Gamecocks should be very dangerous on offense this season as they don’t only return Bentley and Edwards, but they added Clemson transfer Tavien Feaster who contributed 440 rushing yards and 11 TDs last year. The Tar Heels have a lot of problems to figure out on the offensive side of the ball, especially at the QB position, and unfortunately, they will be going against an SEC defense who should be improved this year. Final Score Prediction, South Carolina Gamecocks win and cover ATS 28-20.