Fansided

15 non-conference games that will shape the 2019 College Football Playoff

By Nate Williamson

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 09: Georgia Bulldogs nose tackle John Atkins (97) waits for the snap during the college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs on September 9, 2017, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 09: Georgia Bulldogs nose tackle John Atkins (97) waits for the snap during the college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs on September 9, 2017, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 16
Next
GAINESVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 10: South Carolina defensive players during the game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Florida Gators on November 10, 2018 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 10: South Carolina defensive players during the game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Florida Gators on November 10, 2018 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

8. South Carolina vs North Carolina

Any time you get two border rivals going at it early in the season (Aug. 31) it’s bound to be a good game. Mack Brown begins his second stint as North Carolina’s head coach against a South Carolina team that had a disappointing 2018, and the match-up promises to be a fun rivalry game to start the year. Brown will meet up against former assistant Will Muschamp, who was his defensive coordinator at Texas earlier in his career.

South Carolina can’t afford to lose and give up their momentum here, after finishing just above .500 with a 7-6 record, featuring a 4-4 split in SEC play. A big win against their border rivals would mean a lot to this Gamecocks team, that is looking to start off their season hot after finishing last year with a convincing win over a strong Michigan Wolverines team.

North Carolina finished with a 1-7 record in the ACC last year, and 2-9 overall, securing victories over only Western Carolina, beating them convincingly both times. It was a rough year for the Tar Heels, and any semblance of improvement could move mountains for Brown in his second time being UNC’s head coach. A big win over a South Carolina team that looked strong for much of last year would be huge for the beginning of Brown’s tenure.

Home/College Football