Keeping It Heel
Fansided

UNC Football vs. South Carolina: Duke’s Mayo Bowl preview, info, prediction and more

By Zack Pearson

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - OCTOBER 30: Sam Howell #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels throws a pass during the fourth quarter in the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on October 30, 2021 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - OCTOBER 30: Sam Howell #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels throws a pass during the fourth quarter in the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on October 30, 2021 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The UNC football program will play their final game of the 2021 season on Thursday afternoon, taking on South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte.

The 2021 season didn’t go as planned for Mack Brown’s team as they had New Year’s Six hopes again going into the year. But they have the chance to close out the season on a high note against the Gamecocks and with all of the bowl cancellations so far, the chance to actually play in a bowl game.

This game will be a battle of 6-6 teams with both programs coming off a loss to their rivals at the end of the regular season. UNC suffered a heart-breaking loss to N.C. State, blowing a two-score lead with just over a few minutes left by giving up a long touchdown, an onside kick and then another long touchdown.

UNC will hope to end this season on a bright spot in what could be the final game of the Sam Howell era. The quarterback has graduated and is expected to head to the 2022 NFL Draft coming off his junior season. Howell’s career began with a big win over South Carolina in 2019, a game also played in Charlotte.

And this is also a chance for UNC to build some momentum for next season as a lot of returning players will play in this game.

Key to Victory

Get the offense going. This offense hasn’t been what we thought it could be this season and really has been a two-man game with Howell and receiver Josh Downs. They both have been UNC’s best players on offense this season along with running back Ty Chandler. While only Downs will return next season, this is a chance for the offense to have a big game and put their stamp on the season.

If UNC can come out and execute early on by finishing drives with touchdowns and get out to a lead, they should find success. Their offense has been able to come back in games after falling behind, but that’s not a situation you want to be in. Let’s see if UNC can jump out to the early lead and get up big.

Something to Watch

How does the defense play? The Tar Heels are set to lose some talent on the defensive side of the ball so this would be a good chance to get an early look at some key players next season. UNC’s defense is going to be relatively young next year so getting playing time now certainly helps.

South Carolina will start senior Zeb Noland at quarterback for the second-straight game. He’s appeared in 5 games this season, throwing for 608 yards, 6 touchdowns and just 1 interception this season. Noland won’t be a guy that will light it up against the defense and UNC should be able to take advantage of that. However, he can’t be overlooked either nor can the Gamecocks offense.

What you need to know

WHAT? North Carolina Tar Heels (6-6) vs. South Carolina Gamecocks (6-6)
WHEN? Thursday, December 30 at 11:30 a.m.
WHERE? Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina
TV? ESPN
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
WEATHER? Partly cloudy with a high of 70 degrees
LINE? UNC – 9.5
LAST MEETING? UNC beat South Carolina 24-20 on August 31, 2019
ALL-TIME SERIES? UNC leads 35-19-4
PREDICTION? UNC 41, South Carolina 30

Next. UNC lands Virginia OLB. dark

For more on the UNC Football program and this bowl game, make sure to check back with Keeping It Heel.

Home/UNC Football