NC State (9-3) vs Texas A&M (8-4)

For the first time in college football history, The Wolfpack of NC State will face off against Texas A&M. The Gator Bowl will highlight the evening shift of December 31st, kicking off at 7:30pm EST. 

How they got here: NC State

NC State has an opportunity for ten wins for the second year in a row. The schedule lacks an impressive win but the Pack was consistent all season long. A loss to Clemson exposed the problems this team had. Furthermore, playing Clemson has a tendency to exacerbate your team’s weaknesses. 

A road loss to Syracuse and a surprise upset at the hands of Wake Forest took NC State out of New Years Six contention. Nine wins and a chance for a tenth against a premier program from the SEC is quite the consolation.

How they got here: Texas A&M

Texas A&M had a pretty wild year. It started with Jimbo Fisher leaving Florida State to take over in College Station. It ended with an absurd, fun, and exhausting 7OT win over the LSU Tigers, their first win over LSU since joining the SEC.

Between those two points in time, A&M lost games against Clemson, Alabama, Mississippi State and Auburn. The Aggies played one of the toughest schedules in all of college football. Jimbo Fisher has A&M looking a lot better and a lot more fun in year one. 8-4 is a little deceptive, I think A&M is one of the fifteen best teams in the country right now. Playing Clemson and Alabama early will Blemish anyone’s record.

Player to Watch: Andy Jones on Twitter

Andy is our resident Aggie fan. Every Saturday, he lives & dies Aggie football. I actually don’t get to watch many Aggie football games. I do, however, get to follow them through Andy.

Just look at these hot takes. Hyperbolic? Maybe so. But never a dull moment with Andy.

Betting Lines

Bovada lists Texas A&M as a six point favorite. The over/under is 59 points. 59 Points seems pretty enticing if you’re a grown up and bet nothing but overs.

Prediction

As much as I love NC State, I get the feeling that A&M is the superior team by quite a bit. That O/U of 59? It’s gonna get crushed.

35-24 Aggies.