Memphis vs. NC State

North Carolina State has momentum and motivation. The Wolfpack also has its long-time coach, Dave Doeren. That is something Memphis can't say. The Tigers went 0-for-November, losing and failing to cover their last three games. They lost 28-17 to Navy, 31-27 to East Carolina on the road, and 38-32 to Tulane. The Wolfpack beat East Carolina, 24-17, on Aug. 28. That was the only common opponent the teams had. Memphis doesn't just enter this Gasparilla Bowl on a three-game losing streak. Gone is the Tigers' highly successful six-year head coach Ryan Silverfield, who left to take over at Arkansas. Defensive backs coach Reggie Howard is serving as the interim head coach. North Carolina State is coming off two impressive victories against Florida State and North Carolina with much incentive to halt a five-game bowl losing streak. The Wolfpack also has upset victories against Virginia and Georgia Tech. The Tigers lack the pass rush to bother C.J. Bailey, one of the better quarterbacks in the country. NC State also has an elite running back, Hollywood Smothers, and a tight end, Justin Joly. Take North Carolina State.