South Carolina vs North Carolina 8/31/19 - College Football Betting Picks & Odds
South Carolina Gamecocks vs. North Carolina Tar Heels
CFB: 3:30 PM EST
Aug. 31, 2019
TV: ESPN
Latest Odds : SOCAR -7.5 Total 63
The South Carolina Gamecocks visit Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 31 to play the North Carolina Tar Heels in the college football season opener for both.
South Carolina will have a talented unit again in 2019. Jake Bentley returns for his senior season at quarterback for South Carolina. Bryan Edwards will be Bentley’s top target at wide receiver and the biggest hole to fill is at running back with Rico Dowdle likely to start. Defensively, the Gamecocks has as strong front four and experience in the secondary, but the linebacker corps must improve from a poor 2018 season.
North Carolina was 2-9 in 2018 but expectations are high in 2019. Mack Brown has returned to coach the Tar Heels. North Carolina will play an up-tempo Air Raid offense. Three players are vying for the starting quarterback job. Running back is the Tar Heels strength with Michael Carter and Antonio Williams returning. Dazz Newsome will be the top receiver beginning the season. Unproven linemen make up three of the five spots. The Tar Heels defense will blitz early and often and that could lead to big plays both for against them.
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Jake Bentley threw for 3,171 yards, 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 2018. The top returning running back will be Rico Dowdle who rushed for 654 yards and four touchdowns last season. The top returning receiver will be Bryan Edwards who last season caught 55 passes for 846 yards and seven touchdowns.
The quarterback returning with the most experience for North Carolina is Cade Fortin who last season threw for 388 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Jace Rudor saw limited action as well and threw for 80 yards and one touchdown. The top returning running back is Michael Carter who rushed for 597 yards and two touchdowns. Dazz Newsome caught 44 passes for 506 yards and two touchdowns to lead all returning receivers from last season.
Recent Betting Trends:
South Carolina is 12-5 ATS in its last 17 versus an ACC opponent
The UNDER has cashed in 11 of the Gamecocks last 15 versus an ACC opponent
North Carolina is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 played on a neutral field
The OVER has cashed in 4 of the Tar Heels last 6
Free Betting Pick: South Carolina Gamecocks -7.5
South Carolina has a potent offense back led by Jake Bentley at quarterback, while North Carolina has a new coach, new quarterback and new offensive system. The advantage here is with South Carolina in an early season game. The two defenses will be tested by the up-tempo offenses with South Carolina coming out on top in that test. Final Score Prediction, South Carolina Gamecocks win and cover ATS 35-24