Hilton Head Island's Michael Julian and Union County's Keiston Smith are in a tight competition for the starting nod at quarterback Saturday in the 76th Annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas at Wofford's Gibbs Stadium in Spartanburg.

South Carolina coach Ray Stackley said Julian appeared a bit ahead of Smith early on but the gap narrowed through Tuesday's two-a-days.

"Michael Julian looks really good," he said. "Keiston recently played and is a little tired, but Monday afternoon and this morning he really stepped it up and threw some really strong balls. He's got a strong arm. Both of them do."

76th Annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas

1 p.m. Saturday, Gibbs Stadium, Spartanburg

Last year: North Carolina won 26-19

Series: South Carolina leads 41-30-4