West Virginia Slated to Meet Ranked ACC Opponent in New Bowl Projections

Since there are bowl projections all over the place this week, it’s important to try to distinguish between those just offering opinions compared to the ones who are saying they have intel on the selections.

As for one claiming to have inside information on the matter, Stewart Mandel of the Athletic released how the bowl lineup will look based on what he’s hearing. And in Mandel’s latest projection, WVU is slated to face North Carolina State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

In this matchup, the 8-4 (6-3) Mountaineers would meet the 9-3 (6-2) Wolfpack. Devin Carter would square off against former team, transferring from North Carolina State following the 2022 season.

We've reached the stage where most of our P5 Bowl Projections are based on real intel.

Most confident in:

Oklahoma-Arizona Alamo

Clemson-USC Holiday

Iowa in Citrus, Wisconsin in Nashville, Utah in Vegas and more.https://t.co/a6toRJKOAqhttps://t.co/a6toRJKOAq

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 28, 2023

If this comes true, it would provide West Virginia a return trip to Orlando, Florida after beating UCF during the regular season. Oddsmakers would likely favor North Carolina State, but this game would create an opportunity for WVU to claim a win over a ranked opponent.

A win over the number 22 Wolfpack would do wonders for making a case for Neal Brown’s team to finish the year ranked inside the top 25. If that happens, it would be the first time WVU would be ranked under Brown after flirting with a ranking early in the season and receiving some votes at the end of the regular season.

WVU Football Earns Top 25 Votes After Finishing Regular Season at 8-4

Click here to see which bowl game and opponent another outlet projected for the Mountaineers in its bowl projections.