North Carolina Tar Heels vs South Carolina Gamecocks Prediction, 12/30/2021 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: North Carolina Tar Heels vs South Carolina Gamecocks

Date: Thursday, December 30, 2021

Location: Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Gamecocks (+7.5)

Total/Over-Under: 58.5

Bank of America Stadium is the location where the South Carolina Gamecocks (6-6) will go up against the North Carolina Tar Heels (6-6) on Thursday in the Duke's Mayo Bowl. South Carolina opens this game as 7.5-point dogs from Vegas oddsmakers. The betting total comes in at 58.5.

The North Carolina Tar Heels come into this game with a record of 6-6 for this season. In their last matchup, the Tar Heels went up against the NC State Wolfpack and walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 34-30. Sam Howell was the rushing leader for the Tar Heels with 18 totes for 98 yds (5.4 yds per carry). Sam Howell connected on 14/26 with 147 yards passing and 1 TD. He had a QB rating of 106.3 and finished the game with 1 pick. Against the run, the Tar Heels conceded 113 yards on 29 attempts, which is an average of 3.9 yards per run allowed. North Carolina gave up 19 pass completions on 31 tries for 247 yards, and a completion rate of 61.3%. Overall, they tallied 66 plays which totaled 446 yards. The North Carolina Tar Heels rushed the ball a total of 40 times and accounted for 299 yds, which had them averaging 7.5 yards per carry.

The Tar Heels have tallied 5,758 total yards for the season. When it comes to distribution of touchdowns, North Carolina has earned 25 passing touchdowns and 29 touchdowns via the ground. They have turned the ball over 14 times. North Carolina has accumulated 298 first downs offensively, and they have been called for 91 penalties for 863 yards. As a unit they average 219.9 yards via the ground game which is 11th in the nation. When it comes to putting the ball in the endzone, the North Carolina Tar Heels hold an average of 36.4 points per outing.

Regarding yards via the pass, the Tar Heels are giving up 2,852 yards which has them sitting in 76th in the nation. They have given up 237.7 yards per game through the air in addition to giving up a completion percentage of 60.1%. In total, they are granting 408.0 yards per game which puts them 88th in college football. They have conceded 25 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 22 touchdowns pounding the rock. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 4.5 yards per rushing attempt and 170.3 rushing yards per game for the season. Overall, they have conceded 2,044 rushing yards through 12 outings. The Tar Heels are ranked 101st in the nation in terms of team defense, giving up 31.6 points per game.

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The Gamecocks step onto the field holding a record of 6-6 for this season. In their last game, the Gamecocks took a loss by a score of 30-0 against the Clemson Tigers. Kevin Harris carried the ball 8 times for 13 yards, walking away from the game with 1.6 yds per carry for South Carolina. Zeb Noland finished the contest with 96 yards on 11/22 passing while his quarterback rate was 86.7. He kept the ball away from the defense with no interceptions and his Y/A was 4.4. South Carolina allowed 43 rush attempts for 265 yds (6.2 yds per rush). The Gamecocks pass defense allowed a completion rate of 47.4%, relinquishing 99 yds on 9 out of 19 through the air. The Gamecocks finished with a total of 206 yds and they ran 62 plays (3.3 yds per play). South Carolina ran the ball for 2.2 yds per attempt, finishing with a total of 43 yards on 20 carries.

The South Carolina Gamecocks maintain an average of 321.7 yards per contest, which ranks them 116th in Division 1. The South Carolina offense has compiled 580 penalty yds on 73 infractions, which ranks 70th in the nation in terms of hurting your team. During the season to this point, the Gamecocks have thrown for 2,362 passing yards along with an average of 196.8 passing yards per outing, ranking them 97th in the nation. When it comes to their scoring prowess, the Gamecocks rank 109th in the country maintaining an average of 21.3 points per contest.

South Carolina has allowed a total of 2,150 rushing yards (179.2 yards per outing) as well as 17 touchdowns on the ground for the campaign. They have conceded 16 touchdowns from the passing game in addition to 176.5 yards/outing, ranking them 8th in college football. The Gamecocks defense has taken part in 769 plays, which is good for 18th in college football. The Gamecocks are allowing 24.3 PPG, which has them sitting 48th in the nation. This season, they have relinquished 292 points.

Who will win tonight's Tar Heels/Gamecocks college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Tar Heels -7.5

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