Shrine Bowl: NC O-line vs. SC D-line

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SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Each day this week, Rivals.com analyst Mike Farrell will look at the players involved in a key matchup for Saturday's Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. Monday's matchup: North Carolina offensive line vs. South Carolina defensive line.

The players:

North Carolina offensive line: Jarrod James (Aycock), Devin Flowers (Mallard Creek), Monte Golden (Northside), Dylan Intemann (Wake Forest-Rolesville), Adam Farley (Charlotte Catholic), Charles Holloway (West Rowan), Sheldon Saddler (A.L. Brown), Curtis Struyk (West Carteret)

South Carolina defensive line: Jadeveon Clowney (South Pointe), Phillip Dukes (Manning), Gerald Dixon (South Pointe), Gerald Dixon, Jr. (Northwestern), Octavius Brown (Strom Thurmond), Daris Murry (Greer)

The breakdown:

The South Carolina defensive line isn't just about Clowney, the nation's No. 1 player and arguably the top high school prospect in years. With teammate Dixon, Northwestern standout Dixon Jr. and especially big defensive tackle Dukes also on the line, the North Carolina offensive line will be up against it in this matchup.

James is talented for sure and Intemann are both BCS-caliber prospects, but will Flowers, Golden and the rest be able to hold back what is clearly the strength of the SC defense? If they can somehow keep the talented North Carolina quarterbacks clean and open some holes for Justus Pickett and the running backs, NC can show balance in the offense and take advantage of some very good wide receivers and a stud tight end in Eric MacLain. If not, the team from the North is in trouble.

[rl]