North Carolina Tar Heels vs South Carolina Gamecocks 2021 Duke’s Mayo Bowl
Our North Carolina vs South Carolina prediction for the 2021 Duke’s Mayo Bowl is our first of four picks for Thursday, December 30. The North Carolina Tar Heels (6-6) were 3-5 in the ACC, as they finished fifth in the Coastal Division. Over their last five regular-season games, the Tar Heels were 2-3. In the SEC, the South Carolina Gamecocks (6-6) went 3-5. The Gamecocks finished tied for fourth in the East with Missouri. They come to this bowl game having won two of their last five games.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl Spread and Totals Odds
In this game, South Carolina is the underdog at +10.0 (-111), while favored North Carolina is -9.5 (-110). The over/under is 57.5 with the over at -105 and the under -115. The 2021 Duke’s Mayo Bowl will be played at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC with kickoff at 11:30 am ET. The game can be found on ESPN. Weather will be 71 degrees and cloudy.
Tar Heels vs Gamecocks Pick - Stats
North Carolina is out scoring the Gamecocks 36.4-to-21.3. However, on D, South Carolina is allowing opponents 23.4 PPG. On the other hand, the Tar Heel defense is giving up 31.6 PPG. NC’s offensive yards come to 479.7 PG while SC’s are 320.4. The Tar Heels are passing for 259.9 YPG and running for 219.8. The Gamecocks are good for 197.8 YPG in the air and 122.7 on the ground. Defensively, the Tar Heels are permitting 408.1 total YPG while the Gamecocks are giving up less, 357.7. North Carolina’s defensive yards break down to 237.7 in passing and 170.4 in rushing. The Gamecocks are permitting opponents virtually the same number of air and ground yards, 179 per game.
North Carolina vs South Carolina Prediction - Key Players
Sam Howell starts at QB for North Carolina. This season, Howell has passed for 2,851 yards, completing 62.7 percent of his passes. Along with throwing 23 touchdown passes, he’s also rushed for 11 more scores. Howell has thrown nine picks and been sacked 44 times. WR Josh Downs, who comes to this game with 98 receptions, 1,273 yards, and eight TD catches, will be his primary target. RB Ty Chandler, who’s scored 13 rushing TDs, has rushed for 1,063 yards while averaging 6.1 YPA. LBs Cedric Gray (88 TCKLs, 1.5 SCKs, 3 PD, 2 INTs) and Jeremiah Gemmel (72 TCKLs, 1.5 SCKs, 3 PD, 1 INT) and DB Cam'Ron Kelly (3 PD, 4 INTs) are premium defenders.
South Carolina sees two players opt out for the NFL Draft, star running back ZaQuandre White and skilled edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare. Plus, QB Jason Brown will not play, as he enters the transfer portal. Instead, Zeb Noland (50 COMP, 89 ATT, 608 YDs, 56.2 COMP%) will start. This season, Noland has tossed eight TD passes and one pick while being sacked eight times. ideouts Josh Vann and Dakereon Joyner and tight ends, Jaheim Bell and Nick Muse come to this game with 20 or more catches each. They've caught a total of 11 TD passes. Running backs Kevin Harris and MarShawn Lloyd, who have combined for 709 rushing yards and three scores, will handle the ground attack. DB Jaylan Foster (90 TCKLs, 2 SCKs, 2 PD, 5 INTs) and LB Brad Johnson (70 TCKLs, 2.5 SCKs, 1 INT) anchor the defense.
North Carolina vs South Carolina Prediction
This week opt outs as well as last minute COVID issues have made predicting bowl outcomes very challenging. COVID-19 scratches have been numerous and are often not clear until just prior to game time. Knowing what we know at this point, Our North Carolina vs South Carolina prediction for Duke’s Mayo Bowl is the Tar Heels at -9.5 (-110). Plus, we are taking under 57.5 (-115)
Sports Betting Smarts is previewing and predicting every one of this season’s 41 college football bowl games. In the first two weeks, we went 22-10 (69%).
2021 Duke’s Mayo Bowl - North Carolina vs South Carolina Summary
Spread - North Carolina -9.5 (-110)
Over/Under - Under 57.5 (-115)
