North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye. Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

NCAAF Week 1: North Carolina Tar Heels vs. South Carolina Gamecocks betting picks, preview

By Matt Wiesenfeld | Last updated 8/30/23

This is one of several ACC vs. SEC matchups throughout the season. There is some history too with this being the fifth meeting of these two programs since 2013 — South Carolina has won and covered in three of four. Whoever gets the win this year gets a quick Power 5 victory in the bank.

North Carolina Tar Heels vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Betting Trends and Odds

Saturday, September 2, 2023 - 7:30 p.m. ET

Odds: North Carolina -2.5, Over/under 64.5, North Carolina -150 | South Carolina +105

The number is telling us this should be a close game; it is also telling us that there is a real power rating gap between the two teams with UNC the favorite even on the road (at an SEC school). Both of these teams have quarterbacks that could be in the NFL next season. The comparisons end there though as Drake Maye (UNC) a possible top overall pick while Spencer Rattler is still trying to rebuild his value after transferring from Oklahoma.

Picks for North Carolina vs. South Carolina

North Carolina -2.5

There are so many large spreads early in the season so it is nice to get one where you can basically just pick the winner. For this one, I am leaning toward taking the better quarterback and more specifically the one who is likely to make fewer mistakes, which would be Drake Maye. There have been some changes at UNC but the offense should work just fine and lead them to a nice early win. South Carolina is definitely showing progress under coach Shane Beamer. They are getting better at the details but Ridley can be erratic. He is turnover prone and you do not want to give Maye and the Tar Heels offense more chances or short fields. Rattler had five interceptions in his first three games last season and the Gamecocks are kind of "living" off their surprising win over Tennessee last season, where he was brilliant.

The line seems solid here. Maybe it drops to -2 or up to -3, but you can play it now or wait on the -3/play the moneyline on UNC if South Carolina gains market support.

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