UNC vs. South Carolina: Ticket Info, Date, TV Schedule and Live Stream
Few better ways to help kick off the 2015 college football season exist than to rekindle a rivalry with roots dating back to 1903. The Battle of the Carolinas takes center stage Thursday when the North Carolina Tar Heels encounter the South Carolina Gamecocks.
This one looks far more important than the usual run-of-the-mill opener. South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier has never lost to the Tar Heels, but it's a different animal this week with his program entering a year of transition.
On the flip side, North Carolina head coach Larry Fedora enters the biggest non-conference game of his tenure with an experienced and loaded roster looking to make a statement.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
This showdown doesn't just set the tone for two programs looking to contend in their respective conferences, but for the early season as a whole. Here's a look at the info to know.
Diving Into the Unknown
South Carolina continues to stand as one of the bigger mysteries going into the season.
Spurrier dominates the Tar Heels no matter where he coaches, but it's murky otherwise. It starts under center, where the Gamecocks will roll with Connor Mitch after Dylan Thompson's departure.
The coach spoke about the decision, per Kevin McGuire of NBCSports.com:
"Connor will have every opportunity to take the reins and run with it. The competition was extremely close but we had to make a decision. We will give him all the support we can. As long as he takes care of the ball, keeps his head calm, he very easily could be the quarterback the entire year.
"
It's easy to write off a new starter, but don't forget about wideout Pharoh Cooper, by far one of the best players in the country at his position. Last year alone, Cooper caught 72 passes for 1,136 yards and 10 scores.
Maybe the real concern for the unknown should come on the defensive side of affairs. Those faithful to the team will cringe, but everyone remembers what happened in South Carolina's season opener last year—Spurrier's defense surrendered 680 yards and seven scores in a 52-28 loss to Texas A&M.
Early this season, the offense might not be able to bail out the defense, which should especially concern Spurrier going into Thursday.
Building on the Past
Fedora and Co. want to play the role of Texas A&M this year.
The offense looks stacked enough to do so. Marquise Williams returns under center with another year of experience under his belt. In a quiet manner, he completed 63.1 percent of his passes last year with 21 scores to nine picks and added another 788 yards and 13 scores as a runner.
| Ryan Switzer | 61 | 757 | 4 |
| Quinshad Davis | 41 | 470 | 6 |
Williams isn't the only explosive player to return. Back T.J. Logan returns one year removed from averaging 4.9 yards per carry with 582 yards and three scores. Ryan Switzer, the team's leading receiver last year, and 6'4", 220-pound Quinshad Davis return, too.
Granted, the Tar Heels struggled against big competition last year. Experience and an opponent with more questions than answers is a good way to turn things around, though.
If Williams can capitalize on those question marks with familiar connections, North Carolina will pull off a major win and head into the rest of the schedule with droves of momentum.
When: Thursday, September 3, at 6 p.m. ET
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Television: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Tickets: ScoreBig.com
Betting Lines (via Odds Shark):
- Over/Under: 64
- Spread: South Carolina (-2)
Team Injury Reports
| Lucas Crowley | C | Ques Thurs |
| Will Dancy | G | Out for season |
| Jared Cohen | G | Out indefinitely |
| Tyrell Tomlin | LB | Out for season |
| Malik Simmons | CB | Elig Sept 19 |
| Jerad Washington | WR | Out indefinItely |
| Jerell Adams | TE | Prob Thurs |
| Shannon James | DB | Ques Thurs |
| Taylor Stallworth | DT | Ques Thurs |
| Brock Stadnik | G | Out for season |
| Shaq Davidson | WR | Out for season |
Injury reports via USA Today.
Prediction
The line out of Las Vegas says it all—this won't be a blowout for either side.
South Carolina's defense features plenty of talent, but going up against such an experienced squad to start the season is never an easy task. Like last year showed, it can take a defense longer to work out the early season kinks than an offense.
Look for Williams to show up big. He already has a strong rapport with the surrounding offense, and the Gamecocks just won't have the firepower to overtake their bordering state rivals.
Williams threw two interceptions in a game just once last season. So long as he takes care of the football and dictates the pace, there's an upset brewing. By Las Vegas' definition, at least.
Prediction: North Carolina 34, South Carolina 30
Statistics courtesy of ESPN unless otherwise specified.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
