Which Team Will Carolina Defeat That It Shouldn’t?
By Ryan Fleming
More or less every season, year in and year out, Carolina takes down a team they have no business beating. Last year, that team appears to be the N.C. State Wolfpack. Even In the horrid 2015 season, USC took down ACC title contender UNC.
So, without further ado, which powerhouses on the schedule might suffer an upset at Carolina’s hands?
Georgia Bulldogs
The border bash returns to its traditional early September date this coming season. Both SC and UGA stretch their legs with a tuner opener before the first real game of the year. The Bulldogs won the East and much more last season. Barring a wild and unheralded upset in their opener, the Dawgs should march into Columbia as heavy favorites. However, UGA only owns one victory at Williams-Brice in the last decade. Expect a hot, humid, low-scoring affair as per the norm.
Clemson Tigers
Every Carolina fan wants to scratch that annoying four-year itch this season. While they may or may not be playoff contenders, Clemson likely comes into the Pametto Bowl as favorites. A more favorable schedule nearly guarantees a more impressive record if you’re judging by mere numbers.
In all likelihood, these two teams will, once again, be USC’s toughest tests. So, which do they have a better chance of knocking off? Firstly, location, location, location. The conference play opener comes to Williams-Brice, while the finale will take place in Death Valley. Though not impossible, sneaking up on a team late in the year rarely occurs. The chance to take a tougher team by surprise looms much larger in early September than late November.
Don’t get me wrong, I would love nothing more than to see Carolina clobber both of its rivals. However, I see an upset of the Dawgs to have a better chance then an upset of the Tigers.