Want to watch the South Carolina, North Carolina football game on TV? How to find it

North Carolina coach Mack Brown considers former Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer to be one of his best friends in coaching. So Thursday’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl against South Carolina (6-6) will find Brown in the same position he was to begin the season, trying to beat one of Beamer’s rooting interests.

“When we went to Virginia Tech this year, the first guy I saw to hug his neck was Frank on the field before the game and he looks great,” Brown said. “Now he’s spending all of his time in in South South Carolina pulling for his son, so it’s fun to watch him be so excited.”

Shane Beamer, Frank’s son, is in his first year as the Gamecocks’ head coach. He led South Carolina to become bowl eligible — for the first time since its Belk Bowl loss to Virginia in 2018 — coming off a 2-8 season in 2020.

Brown said Shane Beamer was kind of like an “extended family member” to him and his wife Sally. That’s why Brown was an interested observer of how Beamer and the Gamecocks were progressing this season well before this bowl matchup was announced.

“Everybody talked about how tough the South Carolina year was gonna be and all the things they were fighting, and then he comes up beats Florida, beats Auburn, nearly beats Missouri on the road,” Brown said. “He has done a tremendous job coaching, so I can’t wait to see him. He and I’ve talked some on the phone about coaching. But I’m so proud of him. He’s killing it.”

Brown and the Heels (6-6) just hope that doesn’t extended to Thursday’s game in Charlotte

The Duke’s Mayo Bowl game with North Carolina and South Carolina will be played on ESPN.

Are you a cord-cutter?

If your preferred method of watching games involves streaming, there are options for that, too.

ESPN is available on Hulu, SlingTV, YouTubeTV, DirectTV Stream and FuboTV.

Additionally, you can keep up with the game by following News & Observer writer C.L. Brown (@clbrownhoops) on Twitter.

Game day details: When does the Duke’s Mayo Bowl kickoff?

Teams: North Carolina Tar Heels vs. South Carolina Gamecocks

Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.

Date: Thursday, Dec. 30

Time: 11:30 a.m.

TV: ESPN

Betting line: North Carolina is a six-point favorite over South Carolina.

Series history: Thursday will be the 59th meeting between North Carolina and South Carolina — the first since UNC’s 24-20 season-opening win in 2019. The Tar Heels hold a 35-19-4 advantage.

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This story was originally published December 30, 2021 at 7:12 AM.