NC State has landed in the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa, where it will be up against the Memphis Tigers. The Gasparilla Bowl is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 19, with television coverage by ESPN. Can’t say I’m thrilled about a Friday matinee, but Florida sure beats El Paso or wherever.
Memphis finished the season at 8-4 but lost four of its last six, including a four-point defeat at East Carolina. The Tigers rank 34th in SP+,
with an offense that ranks 17th and a defense that ranks 72nd. Based on the difference in SP+ between these teams, Memphis should be around a 6.5-point favorite. If NC State’s going to get off the bowl schneid, it probably ain’t gonna be easy.
The ACC was a little late with its bowl announcements this afternoon, possibly owing to Notre Dame hemming and hawing about playing in a bowl game after being left out of the playoff field. The Irish would be in the ACC’s bowl lineup, but instead they’ve opted to sit out the postseason like a bunch of babies. That decision had to be made one way or the other before the ACC’s bowl affiliates could move forward with selections.
Anyway, you can peruse the up-to-date bowl matchups here.
