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Regulated sports gambling in North Carolina is set to begin Jan. 8, 2024 and South Carolina one can keep on dreaming. Both states can still access some fine internationally-licensed long established sportsbooks like BetUS, which is now entering its 30th year in business. 18 and up are welcome.
This game should draw significant viewership and wagering throughout the Carolinas.
The Gamecocks were victorious in the series back in 2021 while UNC won by just four points in 2019.
This one will be played on a neutral field in Charlotte, North Carolina, which is just over the border from South Carolina and a little over an hour drive from where the Gamecocks play in Columbia. Chapel Hill, where the Tar Heels play, is actually a greater distance away at around two hours.
While South Carolina is coming in as the +2.5 dog, we have them as the -2 to -2.5 favorite.
Based on our model, the wrong team favored within this line range endured a significant disadvantage. We will be all over the Gamecocks here.
The Tar Heels come into Saturday's game ranked 21 in the nation. North Carolina will start Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback in Drake Maye. He threw for 38 touchdowns and was the nation’s only 5,000-yard player in total offense last season in his first full year as the starter.
South Carolina comes into this game having lost seven starters. The Game Cocks ranked in the bottom third nationally in total defense (404.7 yards) and scoring defense (28.8).
Dakereon Joyner will play the position of running back for South Carolina, hoping to bolster a position that lost three of its top four runners from last season.
North Carolina enjoyed a six-game winning streak to reach the ACC title game and then went on to lose their final four games of the season.
The Tar Heels struggled defensively last season by surrendering 30.8 points and 436.5 yards per game.
This will mark the fourth straight ranked opponent for the Gamecocks going back to last season, a program first.
- Ean Lamb, Gambling911.com
