Around the ACC: Bowl Previews

Nov 20, 2014; Durham, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Marquise Williams (12) scrambles as Duke Blue Devils cornerback Bryon Fields (14) defends in their game at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

Quick Lane Bowl – December 26th – 4:30 PM – ESPN

Rutgers Scarlet Knights (7-5) vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (6-6)

Breakdown: In their first season in the Big Ten, Rutgers exceeded expectations and will have a chance to finish strong after losing four of it’s last six regular season games. UNC was the polar opposite of Rutgers – Winning four of it’s last six, including a huge upset over rival Duke, to become bowl eligible.

Players to watch: For Rutgers, the player to watch has to be Leonte Carroo. The junior wide receiver recorded 1,043 yards on 53 receptions and 10 touchdowns on the season, and UNC must find a way to shut him down. The player to watch for UNC is Quarterback Marquise Williams. The seconnd-team All-ACC quarterback threw for nearly 3,000 yards and rushed for another 700 yards and scored 32 touchdowns.

Prediction: Usually in bowl games, I like to pick the team that finished the regular season stronger. This game doesn’t fit that billing though. UNC finished 4-2 over it’s last six games, but it dropped it’s regular season finale to NC State 35-7. I think Rutgers wins in a very high-scoring affair. Rutgers 45, UNC 38