ESPN’s College GameDay, the highly acclaimed college football pregame show, has announced its destination for the opening weekend of the 2023 college football season.
On Saturday, September 2nd, the spotlight will be on Charlotte as the North Carolina Tar Heels square off against the rival South Carolina Gamecocks at Bank of America Stadium.
The rivalry matchup promises to be a thrilling start to the college football season for both teams. The last time these two programs faced each other, South Carolina emerged victorious with a commanding 38-21 win, leaving North Carolina eager for revenge.
WE'RE COMING TO THE QUEEN CITY! 👑
See you Week 1 in Charlotte for a battle of the Carolinas 🍿@UNCFootball | @GamecockFB pic.twitter.com/OJ7J7SOM6b
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) July 24, 2023
One of the key storylines of the game will be the clash of talented quarterbacks. Spencer Rattler, who made a name for himself as a highly-touted prospect at Oklahoma, is now leading the South Carolina offense.
After an eventful few seasons that saw him lose the Sooners starting job to Caleb Williams before transferring to South Carolina last year, Rattler is determined to prove himself and have a more consistent season in 2023.
On the opposing side, North Carolina boasts a star quarterback of their own, Drake Maye, who is widely regarded as one of the nation’s top talents.
Maye’s exceptional skills have NFL scouts already eyeing him as a likely top-five pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
For Maye, a strong start to the season will be crucial in solidifying his stock for the upcoming draft as well Heisman Trophy contention.
The presence of ESPN’s College GameDay is sure to add an extra layer of excitement to the game. Typically, early-season college football matchups can lack the intensity of rivalries, but this meeting is an exception.
With the Tar Heels holding a historical series lead of 35-20-4, the Gamecocks will be eager to capitalize on their previous victory and assert their dominance once again.
Among College GameDay’s contributors will be Rece Davis, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Pete Thamel, Jen Lada and Jess Sims.
When it comes to college football pregame shows, do you prefer ESPN’s College GameDay or FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff?