Mack Brown, Shane Beamer explain what North Carolina vs South Carolina game means to them

College football is officially back, and Week 1’s headlining game is showdown between the North Carolina Tar Heels versus the South Carolina Gamecocks at Bank of America Stadium.

It’s going to be an emotional affair between two coaches who have a great deal of respect for each other, as Mack Brown leads North Carolina into battle against Shane Beamer’s South Carolina squad.

With conference realignment, many are worried we’ll lose games like this, but Brown explained on ESPN’s College GameDay that we mustn’t lose sight of their importance, along with elaborating on how much the game means to him.

“It’s special because they’re two great teams. It’s a border-state rivalry, which is really cool. We’re playing halfway between. It’s special. You lose some of this with realignment,” explained Brown. “We’ve got to make sure we keep neat games and cool games that people care about. It’s really about the fans. The players want to play this game. The coaches want to play this game. I love Shane. I love his family. I grew up with his dad in coaching.

“That’s what makes this game really special, and it’s in one of the best places in the country, in the Queen City in Charlotte.”

Additionally, there’s a ton of love between Brown and Beamer, and the South Carolina coach’s family as a whole, and that won’t be lost on the Gamecocks leader come Saturday.

“Coach Brown alluded to it. Just the respect that my family, myself personally has, for Coach Brown, and his career. His success. But also the way that he does things, as a leader of his program,” added Beamer. “I learn a lot from him, and rely on him a lot.”

Regardless of their love for each other, the two coaches won’t be pulling their punches come game time, as both North Carolina and South Carolina need the victory to start their season.

Brown’s Tar Heels are hoping not to waste their shot with star quarterback Drake Maye leading the charge, as they believe they should be able to contend for the ACC title in 2023. On the other hand, Spencer Rattler will lead Beamer’s squad into battle, as South Carolina hopes to move into the upper echelon of SEC teams this season.

Time will tell what happens in the future between North Carolina and South Carolina, but Mack Brown and Shane Beamer will certainly savor Saturday’s contest, with the victor holding it in even fonder memory moving forward.