We got a rivalry game in a bowl…kind of? Sort of? I’m not sure if Maryland and NC State really consider each other a rival but the overall record between the two former ACC foes is an even 33-33-4 heading into this bowl. This is also the fifteen year anniversary of these two teams playing a game where a penalty was given for…”giving him the business.” So, hey, these two teams have some history.
How did Maryland get here?
Taking advantage of the non-conference and a soft Big Ten schedule. UM went 3-0 out of conference taking on a slate of Buffalo, Charlotte, and SMU. Two of those teams went bowling but they were not power five teams and Charlotte was dreadful. To say UM was tested out of league play would be an exaggeration. Then, in league play, UM’s four wins were MSU, at Indiana, Northwestern, and Rutgers. They got to play the four worst teams in the league with three of them at home. Credit for taking advantage of these seven winnable games but this was not a hard schedule.
How did NC State get here?
Starting the year 5-1. Injuries hampered this team mid season and a bit down the homestretch but their impressive start was more than enough to set up a bowl push.
Why should we watch?
After getting banged up in the final month of the season, UM stud quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa is all systems go. NC State has one of the best defenses in the nation so seeing him go against them is good enough for me.
Who should win…and should you bet?
NC State’s quarterback situation is a mess with three different players starting multiple games. The day one starter, Devin Leary, was banged up and then hit the portal. Back up Ben Finley played but was ineffective and also got banged up but is getting the nod in this one. MJ Morris, who started the year third on the depth chart, was eclectic when he played but he has been out with injury as well. NC State’s offense struggled with Leary, Finley, and Morris most of the time. Hard to trust them even with the extra bowl reps. I’ll take Maryland to win thanks to being more sound in that critical position. Will I have any money on this game? HELL NO. Stay away big time.
How to watch?
- Date: Friday, December 30th
- Time: 11:00 am, central
- TV: ESPN
- Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Random Tidbit:
NC State and Maryland were founding members of the ACC in 1953 but they share much more history than that. Both were in the Southern Conference from the 1920s until the 1950s. Both were also in the South Atlantic Intercollegiate Athletic Association prior to the SoCon. Maryland was in that organization from 1916 to 1921 while NC State was in it a little longer starting in 1907 and leaving the same year as Maryland. While the SAIAA did have football, it was mostly a track conference and served as a body to set up track and field meets throughout the region. For the programs that did play football, Georgetown was among the big boys, winning the league four times between 1912-1921.
Big Ten and Counting 