North Carolina and South Carolina open up the college football season under the lights in Columbia tomorrow night on ESPN. South Carolina is at an all-time high in the preseason polls because of junior defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, one of the premier players in the country who was voted the nation's top defensive end last season and finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting. The Gamecocks also return starting quarterback Connor Shaw, who has never lost at home as a starter.
One of Shaw's top targets will be junior wide receiver Bruce Ellington, who's also the starting point guard for South Carolina's basketball team. We can expect tight end Rory Anderson to get plenty of looks over the middle, as he's averaged 20.9 yards a catch during his first two seasons with the team. South Carolina did lose five senior linebackers to graduation but they feature an experienced returning secondary.
North Carolina also returns a talented quarterback in senior Bryn Renner, who has thrown for more than 3,000 yards each of the last two seasons. Renner' main target, wide receiver Quinshad Davis is also back. The South Carolina native who set freshman school records last season for receptions (61) and receiving yardage (776). 6-7, 305-pound left tackle James Hurst will protect Renner's blind side and redshirt freshman Jon Heck will start at right tackle. Hurst and Heck will be tested all night against Jadeveon Clowney, who recorded 13 sacks last season.
The Tar Heels look to bounce back from a down year defensively, as they were ranked 10th out of 12 teams in the ACC after allowing 32.9 points per game during conference play. Seven starters will return, including defensive end Kareem Martin, a second team all-conference selection last season. South Carolina is the highest-ranked opponent that North Carolina has faced since 2005.
This is a highly anticipated game because both teams have a lot of potential. The Gamecocks are considered one of the best teams in the country but the Tar Heels have an experienced quarterback in Bryn Renner and enough talent to hang around, even if the game is on the road. If Jadeveon Clowney is able to get in the North Carolina backfield, South Carolina will have no trouble winning this game, if not, will be closer than many expect.
Game Information:
When: 6:00 PM ET, August 29
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium
Line: South Carolina -11 at America's Bookie
Total: 56½
Coverage: ESPN/WatchESPN
Weather: 83° F/ 28° C
Partly Cloudy
Last meeting: 10/13/07 South Carolina 21 North Carolina 15
North Carolina (0-0) vs. No. 6 South Carolina (0-0) Preview
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