Going SEC over ACC -- particularly in Week 1 -- has been foolish historically. However, South Carolina lost three key defenders this offseason -- and more non-key defenders, which means it may take a few games for the Gamecocks to get the back end right. North Carolina, meanwhile, seems to start hot under Mack Brown and certainly has more going offensively with Drake Maye. Plus, the UNC front seven is back, and Maye is a year more matured after breaking through as a redshirt freshman in 2022. I have the Tar Heels a 4-point favorite, giving us enough value to take the spread.

This anticipated Week 1 showdown highlights two of the top QBs in the country, Drake May of North Carolina and Spencer Rattler of South Carolina. The Gamecocks overcame a slow start last year to end with a stunning run that included massive upsets of Tennessee and Clemson as double-digit underdogs before falling to Notre Dame in their bowl game. The Tar Heels won nine of 10 before dropping four straight to end the season, and five of those wins came by three or fewer points. North Carolina ranked near the bottom of every defensive category in the ACC, and South Carolina’s edge on that side of the ball could be the difference. The Gamecocks also have won seven of nine in this rivalry.

You know, if you simply bet the SEC team when it plays the ACC team, you'd have made a lot of money over the years. I'm not high on the Tar Heels, and South Carolina has won 7 of the last 9 meetings, including a 17-point win in 2021.

Big QB matchup here between Drake Maye and Spencer Rattler. Where there is a difference between the teams will be on the defensive side of the ball, and who can make the key stops. It starts up front and that's where I believe the Gamecocks have the edge and can win this game.

This is going to be a battle between two stud quarterbacks in Tar Heel star Drake Maye and Gamecocks veteran Spencer Rattler, but the last thing that either team wants is to get into a track meet in the opener. Expect both teams to establish the run and the work off play action. Time of possession isn’t as important as it used to be. It’ll matter in this one, though. If South Carolina goes old-school and rips off long drives, Maye will be relegated to the sideline. The same theory also applies to the Tar Heels to prevent Rattler from taking over.