North Carolina and West Virginia bring 8-win records into the Duke's Mayo Bowl
North Carolina's Drake Maye (10) tries to run the ball between North Carolina State defensive back Devan Boykin (12) and linebacker Payton Wilson (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Credit: AP/Karl B DeBlaker
North Carolina (8-4, ACC) vs. West Virginia (8-4, Big 12), Dec. 27 at 5:30 p.m. ET
LOCATION: Charlotte, North Carolina
TOP PLAYERS
UNC: QB Drake Maye. The NFL prospect threw for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns while also running for another nine scores, though it's unclear if he will play in the bowl game.
West Virginia: QB Garrett Greene, He threw for 2,178 passing yards with 15 TDs and four interceptions. He also ran for 708 yards and 13 scores.
NOTABLE
UNC: The Tar Heels started the year 6-0 and reached No. 10 in the AP Top 25 before losing four of their last six. That marked the second straight season they had faded late, with last year's team losing four straight after a 9-1 start.
West Virginia quarterback Garrett Greene (6) celebrates after a win over Baylor as he heads to the locker room after an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Waco, Texas. Credit: AP/Jerry Larson
West Virginia: The Mountaineers closed by winning four of five after sitting a 4-3 with an October loss to Oklahoma State. The eight wins are the best output under fifth-year coach Neal Brown, with the previous high being six wins.
LAST TIME
West Virginia 31, UNC 30 (Dec. 27, 2008 in the Meineke Car Care Bowl)
BOWL HISTORY
UNC: This will be the program's 38th bowl game and fifth in as many seasons during the second tenure of coach Mack Brown. The last meeting against West Virginia came in this bowl under its previous name.
West Virginia: This marks the Mountaineers' third bowl trip under Brown and 40th overall. West Virginia has been to 19 bowls in the past 22 years.
