Today we have the 14th annual Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl. This years game features the North Carolina State Wolfpack of the Atlantic Coast Conference facing the Vanderbilt Commodores of the Southeastern Conference. As has been the case, let's take a look at each of the two combatants using the NCAA FBS Production Model.
North Carolina State finished the season at 7-5 playing against an average strength of schedule. North Carolina States best win was over currently #4 ranked Florida State and their worst loss was to currently ranked #88 Virginia. North Carolina State is currently the #70 most productive team in the football bowl subdivision with the #71 ranked offense and the #70 ranked defense - all below average.
The Vanderbilt Commodores finished the regular season at 8-4 playing against an average strength of schedule. Vanderbilt's best win was over currently #50 ranked Mississippi (Ole Miss). Just as an aside, six of the remaining victories for Vanderbilt were against teams that are currently ranked higher than 90 (bottom quartile of all the teams in the league). Vanderbilt is currently the #39 team in overall productivity, with the #53 ranked offense and the #24 ranked defense.
Given that Vanderbilt is more productive on offense and defense - relative to North Carolina State, the model predicts that Vanderbilt will defeat North Carolina State in the Music City Bowl.