Previews of today’s games with ranked teams,

NORTH CAROLINA AT NO. 7 SOUTH CAROLINA Line: South Carolina by 121⁄ 2. Sagarin difference: South Carolina by 13.42.

Synopsis: Though these natural border rivals have met only once since 1991, the primary draw for the opening contest of 2013 is one of the year’s signature players, Gamecocks DE Jadeveon Clowney. His monster hit in the Outback Bowl against Michigan replayed ad infinitum during the offseason was only a sample of his ability to make offenses alter their game plans. While Clowney is sure to face a variety of blocking schemes, the presence of DT Kelcy Quarles next to him could foil many of them. This is all bad news for the youthful Tar Heels interior line, but the experienced hand of QB Bryn Renner could help if he can pull the trigger quickly enough to avoid the rush. His primary targets will be WR Quinshad Davis and TE Eric Ebron. It’s the South Carolina attack that might have the greater personnel advantage with dualthreat QB Connor Shaw and WR Bruce Ellington, though the latter has been nursing a sore hamstring and might not be at full speed. Much will be asked of Tar Heels potential breakout star DE Kareem Martin.

NO. 24 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AT HAWAII Line: USC by 231⁄ 2. Sagarin difference: USC by 19.16.

Synopsis: There are few chairs warmer than that of USC coach Lane Kiffin after the Trojans’ disappointing 7- 6 2012 season. For now, he’ll use this matchup against a rebuilding Hawaii squad to audition QBs Max Wittek and Cody Kessler. Both will benefit from throwing to standout WR Marqise Lee, though he’s sure to see double coverage from the Warriors secondary, arguably their best and deepest unit featuring S John Hardy- Tuliau. Though second- year Hawaii coach Norm Chow made his reputation as a successful offensive coordinator ( including at USC from 2001 to 2004), his current group might not be ready to break out behind a leaky front line. Taylor Graham is expected to get the nod at quarterback, and he’ll face a revamped Trojans defense that could give LB Morgan Breslin, a converted defensive end, plenty of opportunities to make plays in the backfield.