Well the wait is finally over, folks. We finally are kicking off the 2015 college football season!

Let’s take a peek at the South Carolina Gamecocks before the opening-night matchup against the Tar Heels of North Carolina (6 p.m. ET Thursday, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte).

SEASON OVERVIEW

The 2015 season will be a big one, not only for the players, but for the coaching staff as well. We all saw coach Steve Spurrier’s impromptu interview after the guys from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution called him out about his age.

If there’s one thing I know with 100 percent certainty, it’s that Coach Spurrier is the most competitive person I’ve ever met. When that writer called him out, we saw a pissed off Spurrier and a fired up coach. That is infectious. He will be cranked up and ready to go this season. Now they just need to start off on the right foot against a pretty solid North Carolina team.

OFFENSE

Everyone is well aware of Pharoh Cooper and his ability to make plays. Look for coach Spurrier to line Cooper up at multiple positions throughout the season to create space and 1-on-1 matchups.

Brandon Wilds is another guy that Gamecocks fans are familiar with. He is a veteran guy that has waited his turn to be the featured back and I believe will be a hell of a force for the Gamecocks offense.

While there are plenty of other talented players for the South Carolina offense, it has yet to be seen who will step up and be the next “Pharaoh Cooper.”

DEFENSE

South Carolina struggled on defense last year, especially in the Week 1 shelling they took opening night against Texas A&M. The Gamecocks also brought on Jon Hoke to help what should be a much-improved unit from the group that ranked 91st in the country by allowing 30.4 points per game a year ago.

PREVIEWING WEEK 1 AGAINST NORTH CAROLINA

As bad as the Gamecocks defense was a year ago, North Carolina’s defense was even worse. Ranked 120th in total defense last year, the Tar Heels also added a new coach, former Auburn head man Gene Chizik. Both defenses should be improved, but only time will tell as there are still plenty of question marks for both squads.

Offensively, the Tar Heels seem to have the advantage when it comes to experience, led by quarterback Marquise Williams. Williams threw for more than 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns last year, along with 788 yards and 13 touchdowns running the ball.

Ryan Switzer will be the go to target for Williams alongside 6-foot-4 Quinshad Davis. The Gamecocks front seven must be able to get pressure on Williams and force him to make the perfect throw downfield. They must also contain him and not let him extend plays with his legs.

The Gamecocks offense has some major questions in front of it. Coach Spurrier finally designated Connor Mitch as the starter, but trust me, there will be another quarterback taking snaps this game.

I really hope Mitch plays well and I think he can, but it will come down to the guys up front. Coach Shawn Elliot is the best in the business in my opinion and will have those lineman ready to rock and roll. They must protect Mitch and allow him to spread the ball around the field to the playmakers.

We all know who his main target is, and that’s Pharoh Cooper. Look for Brandon Wilds to play a big role in this game as well. He’s one of the only veterans on this starting offense and has waited his turn to be the main back.

Coach Spurrier has never lost to North Carolina and I expect that streak to continue. Call me a homer, I don’t give a damn. It is a toss-up game, but there is no way hell I’m picking my boys to lose opening night!

GAME-BY-GAME PREDICTIONS

North Carolina: W, 34-24
Kentucky: W, 31-17
Georgia: L, 24-17
UCF: W, 35-14
Missouri: W, 28-24
LSU: L, 24-14
Vanderbilt: W, 41-21
Texas A&M: L, 45-34
Tennessee: L, 35-24
Florida: W, 21-17
The Citadel: W, 45-17
Clemson: W, 28-24

OVERALL RECORD: 8-4