Pete Thamel takes jab at UNC fans ahead of Week 1 matchup vs. South Carolina
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Pete Thamel, one of ESPN’s lead college football insiders, took a shot at North Carolina’s fan base on an episode of the College GameDay podcast earlier this week.
GameDay will be on location in Charlotte for UNC’s Week 1 contest against South Carolina next month. Thamel said on the podcast that he’s concerned UNC fans won’t rise to the occasion.
“I do feel like the Gamecock crew will show up,” Thamel said. “The challenge to me is the North Carolina fanbase. I feel like they would much rather have brunch with one of those Bloody Marys that has like a shrimp, bacon and probably grits on it. I just feel like that’s more Carolina.
“I don’t know if their fanbase really wants to let it rip for 3 hours. This is my prediction. I predict 75% South Carolina fans and I predict it rocks.”
Rece Davis defended North Carolina fans, citing the atmosphere they created in Chapel Hill for a basketball edition of College GameDay earlier this spring.
Davis also pointed out that the Tar Heels have plenty to be excited about on the gridiron in 2023.
“They ought to have a lot of excitement about this team,” Davis said. “They’ve got maybe the best quarterback they’ve ever had … certainly in the modern era. And they’ve got an opportunity in the ACC to make a big run with a Hall-of-Fame-level coach that would love to win another one at a place that’s important to him.
“And here’s the start of it. So let’s get jacked up and see what you got.”
North Carolina is 35-20-4 all-time against South Carolina. However, the Gamecocks have won 4 of the last 5 meetings in this series, including the most recent contest in the 2021 Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
Here’s video of the full discussion:
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
