Mayo Bowl: South Carolina vs North Carolina 12/30/21 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The South Carolina Gamecocks and North Carolina Tar Heels clash Thursday afternoon in the college football Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. North Carolina sits at 6-6 on the season. The Tar Heels lost to NC State in their last outing. As for South Carolina, they went 6-6 as well and are fresh off a loss to Clemson. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place. 

North Carolina had an up-and-down season in 2021. The Tar Heels were consistent in not losing consecutive games, but they only won consecutive games once during the year. In the last three it’s been a win over Wofford between losses to Pitt and NC State. 

In the matchup versus NC State, the Tar Heels had a 24-21 edge going into the final quarter but couldn’t hold on in a 34-30 loss. QB Sam Howell put up 147 yards with one TD and one pick, while British Brooks led the rushing attack on 124 yards from 15 carries. 

Over on the South Carolina side, they got off to a 3-3 start in their first six outings this year and finished off on a 3-3 run as well. The wins in that span were over Vanderbilt, Florida and Auburn; the losses come to Texas A&M, Missouri and Clemson. 

In the Clemson matchup, South Carolina gave up points in every quarter and could never find the scoreboard themselves in a 30-0 blowout loss. QB Zeb Noland threw for 96 yards, and Zaquandre White led an ugly Gamecocks rushing attack on 22 yards from seven carries. 

The Tar Heels are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 neutral-site games and 2-5 ATS in the last seven overall. North Carolina is 1-4 ATS in their last five versus the SEC. 

Meanwhile, the Gamecocks are 4-1 ATS in their last five bowl games and 4-1 ATS in their last five Thursday games. South Carolina is 6-2 ATS in their last eight neutral-site games and 5-11-1 ATS in their last 17 on grass. 

PICK: I’m going to stick with North Carolina. The Tar Heels put up a good statistical effort against NC State in their last game—they just couldn’t close things out. UNC finished on 444 total yards (297 rushing) with 22 first downs and 6-of-16 on third- and fourth-down tries. North Carolina has faced some very tough opponents over the last several games, and overall they’ve performed admirably. 

As for South Carolina, they’re coming off a rough game themselves. The Gamecocks should be able to get some better traction in this one, but I don’t think it’ll be enough to cover.