North Carolina vs South Carolina Odds, Lines & Predictions
- The #21-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels are 2.5-point favorites over the South Carolina Gamecocks in their Week 1 college football game on Saturday, September 2
- South Carolina is 7-2 straight up in the last nine meetings between these two schools
- Read below for North Carolina vs South Carolina odds, lines and predictions for college football Week 1
Two of the most well-known quarterbacks in NCAA football will be doing battle as Drake Maye leads the #21 North Carolina Tar Heels into battle against Spencer Rattler and the South Carolina Gamecocks.
For the fourth straight season, the game is being played in Charlotte at the home of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. Since this rivalry was moved to the neutral site, the Gamecocks are 2-1 straight up, while the Tar Heels are 2-1 against the spread.
It’s North Carolina that’s getting the slight nod from the oddsmakers this year. The Tar Heels are 2.5-point favorites. North Carolina is 2-4 ATS over the past six games.
Let’s dive into the North Carolina vs South Carolina odds and offer you our prediction for this college football Week 1 showdown.
North Carolina vs South Carolina Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Tar Heels | -135 | -2.5 (-110) | Over 64.5 (-110) |
| South Carolina Gamecocks | +115 | +2.5 (-110) | Under 64.5 (-110) |
In the North Carolina vs South Carolina odds, the Tar Heels are -135 moneyline favorites, giving them a 57.45% implied win probability. The total is set at 64.5 points.
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Odds as of August 30 at Bet365. Be sure to claim a Bet365 bonus code to bet on Tar Heels vs Gamecocks and other college football Week 1 action this week.
This will be South Carolina’s fourth successive game facing a ranked opponent. Last season, the Gamecocks posted wins over #5 Tennessee (63-38) and #8 Clemson (31-30) before falling 45-38 to #21 Notre Dame in the highest-scoring game in Gator Bowl history.
Kickoff for this game at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday, September 2 is set for 7:30pm ET. The broadcast is being carried by ABC.
Tar Heels vs Gamecocks Betting Splits
There’s an unusual juxtaposition at work in the NCAA public betting splits for this game. Spread bettors are leaning toward the Tar Heels. North Carolina is pulling 67% of handle and 62% of bets. The Tar Heels are 1-5 ATS in their last six meetings with SEC schools. The action on the moneyline splits is giving the edge to the underdog Gamecocks. At +115, South Carolina is getting 58% of handle and 56% of bets. The Gamecocks are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games.
Not surprisingly, it’s the over that the people like on the total. It’s garnering 81% of handle and 69% of bets. The over has hit in five of the last six South Carolina games. But the under’s been the winning play in four of the past five Tar Heels contests.
Both North Carolina and South Carolina are co-21st betting choice in the National Championship odds at +10000. The Gamecocks are set with 2023 NCAA win total odds of 6.5. Over is worth +140, while under gains the favored betting line of -170.
Drake May Be Even Better For Tar Heels
As a freshman, ACC Player of the Year Maye set school single-season records in several categories. He threw for 4,321 yards and 38 TDs. As well, Maye ran for 698 yards and seven more TDs. His passing yardage, completions (342) and attempts (517) were all new North Carolina marks. Both Maye (+1800) and Rattler (+5000) are getting action in the Heisman Trophy odds.
I have evaluated every snap North Carolina QB Drake Maye played in last season — it was astonishing the kinds of things he was doing out there as a redshirt freshman. pic.twitter.com/FdH5v2T7LA
— FIRST ROUND MOCK (@firstroundmock) August 28, 2023
The Tar Heels can put up points. Their 34.4 points per game was good for 26th in the NCAA. They were held under 20 points in just two of 14 games. Defensively, though, was a different story. North Carolina was 117th in the nation in scoring defense (31.0 PPG against) and 115th in total defense (436.5 yards per game allowed).
Gamecocks Struggle To Make Stops
Scoring points wasn’t an issue for South Carolina last season. They were 38th in FBS in 2022, averaging 32.2 PPG. It was preventing points that proved to be their Achilles heel. They surrendered 28.8 PPG, which rated 87th in the nation.
Five starters return from the unit that ranked 10th in the Southeastern Conference in total defense (404 yards allowed per game) and scoring defense and 11th in sacks (18). The Gamecocks did lead the conference with 15 interceptions and return 75% of their secondary in safeties Nick Emmanwori and DQ Smith and cornerback Marcellus Dial.
Spencer Rattler (@SpencerRattler) made the watch list for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. pic.twitter.com/1yNcTKcKo5
— SCAVENGER (@Scavenger843) August 22, 2023
If Rattler can maintain his late-season 2022 output, that would bode well for South Carolina. The Gamecocks QB passed for 1,044 yards and 10 touchdowns over the final three games of the season.
North Carolina vs South Carolina Prediction
The betting underdog has won this game outright in each of the past two meetings. But both of these teams give up points like mad. Even at 64.5 points, the best bet here is the over.
North Carolina vs South Carolina Pick: Over 64.5 Points (-110)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
