If you enjoy tempo offense, big plays and one-time playoff contenders, the Russell Athletic Bowl is the game for you.
A year after hosting a future College Football Playoff pairing (Clemson-Oklahoma), the Russell Athletic Bowl again features two top-20 teams not lacking explosiveness. North Carolina leads the nation in average yards per play (7.33), while Baylor is second (7.25). Despite a rash of injuries to key players, Baylor is tops in both total offense (604.6 yards per game) and scoring (48 points per game), while UNC ranks 19th in yards (486.9) and 10th in points (40.9).
Both teams had bigger destinations in mind, as North Carolina fell to Clemson in the ACC title game and Baylor dropped three of its final four games after a blistering start.