NC State football vs. Maryland in Duke's Mayo bowl: Score prediction, scouting report

NC State football's postseason bowl will be a matchup against a former ACC foe.

The Wolfpack (8-4) will face Maryland (7-5) in the Duke's Mayo Bowl on Dec. 30 (noon, ESPN) at Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium. The Terps left the Atlantic Coast Conference for the Big Ten in 2014, but before parting, had an exciting back-and-forth rivalry with NC State.

In 70 meetings, the series between the two is tied 33-33-4 with Maryland winning the last matchup 41-21 in 2013 at Carter-Finley Stadium.

In 2000, they played into double overtime, and in 2001 Maryland clinched an Orange Bowl berth with a dramatic last-minute touchdown to beat NC State in Raleigh for its first ACC title in 16 years.

The Wolfpack are 3-3 in postseason bowls under coach Dave Doeren. They were unable to play in last year's Holiday Bowl after UCLA backed out in the final hours due to COVID-19.

Here's what to watch for at the Duke's Mayo Bowl:

FINLEY:Ben Finley plays himself into future conversation for NC State at quarterback

Who will call the offense for NC State?

Before the news of NC State's bowl game dropped on Sunday, another big piece of news broke in Raleigh.

Third-year offensive coordinator Tim Beck was hired as Coastal Carolina's next coach, signing a five-year deal that will pay him nearly $1 million per year.

It begs the question, though: Will Beck stick around for the Bowl game, or will it be up to someone else to call offensive plays for NC State against Maryland?

NC State has already answered that question. In a statement about its bowl game selection, NC State said running backs coach Kurt Roper will handle the play calling in lieu of Beck.

The other important question is who will start at quarterback for the Wolfpack. Ben Finley? MJ Morris?

Surging Terps

This is the first time since the 2013-2014 season that Maryland has been to back-to-back bowl games. A win over NC State would mark the Terps. first eight-win season since 2010.

Maryland was 6-6 last season and played in the Pinstripe Bowl in New York City, defeating Virginia Tech 47-10.

As expected, Maryland will be without some key players in Charlotte. Wide receivers Dontay Demus Jr. and Jacob Copeland declared for the NFL Draft and tight end C.J. Dippre announced he was entering the transfer portal. It’s expected that more players will opt out of the bowl game for the draft or enter the portal in the coming weeks.

Score prediction: NC State vs. Maryland

NC State 27, Maryland 17: This game will come down to who is actually playing and who mentally shows up to the game in Charlotte. But when all is said and done, the Wolfpack's defense is the best unit among both teams and Dave Doeren will enjoy an epic Mayo bath. Gross.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: NC State football vs. Maryland in Duke's Mayo Bowl: Score prediction