Can South Carolina Slow Down North Carolina's High-Octane Offense?

On one side, you have an offense that put up 33.2 points per game a year ago, returns 10 starters and is coached by an offensive mastermind who always keeps opposing defenses guessing.

On the other side, you have a defense that gave up 432.7 yards and 30.4 points per game a year ago, added a new co-defensive coordinator to the mix and, aside from a junior college addition at defensive end and a few other transfers, has virtually the same cast.

That'll be what you see Thursday night in Charlotte, as the high-octane North Carolina offense led by head coach Larry Fedora goes up against a South Carolina defense that is breaking in new co-defensive coordinator and play-caller Jon Hoke.

Welcome back to college football, Mr. Hoke.

John Raoux/Associated Press

"I think our defense will better represent South Carolina in a very positive way," Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier said in quotes released by South Carolina. "I think we'll fly around, get our hits in, be a better tackling team and be in better position. North Carolina is going to move the ball, and we can move the ball, and it's probably going to come down to the team that takes care of the ball best and doesn't turn it over."

It better be, because the matchup between the Tar Heels O vs. the Gamecocks D will be what determines the outcome of the opening FBS game of the 2015 season.

For South Carolina to stay in this ball game, junior college transfer defensive end Marquavius Lewis is going to have to be a boss from the moment he takes the field. The 6'3", 264-pounder from Greenwood, South Carolina, has already ascended to the top spot on Hoke's depth chart despite never playing a game for the program and has impressed the staff all offseason.

Defensive line coach Deke Adams talked about the expectations surrounding Lewis, according to David Cloninger of the State:

"

A lot of people were kind of comparing him to Clowney. I told him, 'You know what? Just be yourself. Don't be Jadeveon Clowney—you can't be. Be yourself, be Marquavius Lewis.' That's what he's trying to do and he's working hard at it.

"

Stephen B. Morton/Associated Press

The Clowney comparison is quite lofty, but South Carolina might need the former No. 2 junior college prospect to do his best Clowney impression on opening night. The Gamecocks managed just 14 sacks a year ago, and that inability to create pressure allowed quarterbacks to pick a young secondary apart early and often.

If Lewis can help the Gamecocks move senior quarterback Marquise Williams off his launch point and get him rattled, it could create some of those turnovers Spurrier craves. Even if they do create that pressure and get Williams moving, it'll be up to stud linebacker Skai Moore and Jonathan Walton to clean up.

A tall order, no doubt.

Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

There are talented corners outside in Chaz Elder and Rico McWilliams, "Spur" T.J. Gurley finished second on the team in tackles a year ago with 80 and safety Isaiah Johnson was the Big 12 newcomer of the year in 2013 at Kansas. The back end of the defense, while picked on a year ago, is talented and experienced, and it will benefit tremendously from just a little help up front.

If South Carolina's defense isn't on its game from the moment toe meets leather, it will put a ton of pressure on Spurrier and new starting quarterback Connor Mitch. 

With a quarterback who has six career collegiate passing attempts, a new starting running back in Brandon Wilds (along with versatile backup David Williams) and an absence of playmakers outside other than superstar Pharoh Cooper, it will be a lot to ask this offense to dig itself out of a hole if the defense creates one.

Luckily, it has Spurrier and a very talented staff to help out.

It should make for a fun opening night at the inaugural Belk College Kickoff Game in Charlotte on Thursday.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports. Statistics are courtesy of cfbstats.com.

Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and national college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93 XM 208. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.