North Carolina doesn’t exactly scare anyone, not coming off a losing season bogged down by the worst defense in the ACC. Even so, this neutral-site game in Charlotte looms as a dicey opener for South Carolina — which has worked to shore up defensive issues of its own, and no longer has a veteran quarterback who can single-handedly keep the Gamecocks competitive.
Mitch’s moment
There’s no larger unknown for USC than the redshirt sophomore who will start under center. Connor Mitch posted eye-popping numbers in high school, but he’s been used only sparingly at South Carolina, and no one is sure how he’ll respond when the ball is snapped for real.