UNC football vs. South Carolina: Staff predictions
It’s finally here. The start of the 2023 North Carolina football schedule begins on Saturday night in primetime as they face off against South Carolina in Charlotte.
This game is a big one for both programs, hoping to get off to a good start.
Both teams enter this game hoping to prove a point. For North Carolina, they are ranked No. 21 overall and want to prove that they are better than how they ended last season. For South Carolina, they struggled to start the year in 2022 but ended strong backed by the play of Spencer Rattler. The Gamecocks also want to pull off the upset and prove they should be the ranked team in this matchup.
The two teams last met after the 2021 season in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl with the Gamecocks dominating. The last time the two teams met in the season opener was 2019 when UNC upset the Gamecocks in Sam Howell’s first career game.
Let’s get into our staff predictions for the Week 1 showdown.
Zack Pearson
The Tar Heels enter this game as favorites and the No. 21 ranked team in the country. But this will be no easy task. South Carolina ended last season playing very well and are hoping to get this season off to a good start.
For me, this game will come down to quarterback play. I think Drake Maye and UNC get it done but it will be close.
Prediction: UNC 27, UConn 24
Record to date: 0-0
Richard Adkins
The North Carolina Tar Heels have the potential to be special this season with a Heisman caliber quarterback at the helm. The only thing that could get in the way is the questionable defense that has hindered the program the last few years. However, UNC wipes away that notion early with a dominating, week one performance on both sides of the ball. Look for the Tar Heels to have Spencer a bit rattled.
Prediction: UNC 31, SC 17
Record to date: 0-0
Aidan Jensen
UNC has a lot going for them this year – arguably the country’s best quarterback in Drake Maye, a top-tier tight end trio in Bryson Nebsit, Kamari Morales and John Copenhaver, an improved defense led by linebacker Cedric Gray and defensive end Desmond Evans, plus the entire running back room coming back.
South Carolina has the momentum of finishing ranked for the first time since 2013, plus a stud quarterback in Spencer Rattler. While the Gamecocks have won seven of the last 10 series matchups, UNC will be hungry to prove several things – the 4-game losing streak to end 2022 was a fluke, they’re the better team in this rivalry and they’re a force to be reckoned with in the ACC this year. The talent in Chapel Hill will be too difficult for South Carolina to match, thought they’ll keep it close throughout.
Prediction: UNC 34, South Carolina 27
Record to date: 0-0
