Mayo Bowl: How to watch, keys to victory and a prediction

The 2020 Mayo Bowl will give us the first ever matchup between the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Wisconsin Badgers

One of the cool things about bowl season is that it gives us a chance to see matchups of teams that would otherwise never play each other. That is exactly what the country will see in the 2020 Dukes Mayo Bowl when the Wake Forest Demon Deacons take on the Wisconsin Badgers. This is a matchup of teams that are very different in style and that have either exceeded expectations or failed to meet them.

Wake Forest was an unknown heading into this season, with quarterback Jamie Newman transferring to Georgia and then opting to go to the NFL and star wide receiver Sage Surratt opting out before the season.

Quarterback Sam Hartman has done a nice job filling in for Newman and this offense has been explosive at times this season. The defense has been led by future NFL draft pick Carlos Basham Jr, but they will be missing him, as Basham Jr declared for the NFL Draft after the regular season ended.

Wisconsin came into this season ranked in the top 15 and were thought to be the main contender to Ohio State in the Big Ten. Quarterback Graham Mertz started off great this season in wins vs Illinois and Michigan, but this offense has come to a halt in a recent stretch and has only scored in double digits once in the last four games, and that was an overtime game against Minnesota, who has one of the worst defenses in the country.

Wisconsin has wasted one of the best defenses in the country, but they have a chance to end the season with another bowl win for head coach Paul Chryst.

Here is how you can watch the 2020 Dukes Mayo bowl on Wednesday

Date: Wednesday, Dec 30

Time: 12 p.m, ET

Venue: Bank of America Stadium

Location: Charlotte, NC

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN or FUBO TV

Keys to Victory

For the Wisconsin offense, they need to be able to have more success on the ground against Wake Forest. One of the reasons that the Badgers have been struggling on offense is that they have not been able to find a successor at running back to Jonathan Taylor. Wisconsin is more successful when they have a lead back to rely on and they have been missing that in 2020.

For the Wisconsin defense, stopping the Wake Forest passing attack will be they key. Even without Sage Surratt, the Demon Deacons have found success through the air and a big reason for that is wide receiver Jaquarii Roberson, who has had a nice season. Wisconsin has one of the best passing defenses in the country and they will need to be able to prevent the big play from the Demon Deacons. Wake Forest does not turn the ball over much and the Badgers will have

For the Wake Forest offense, being balanced will be the key to a beating a Wisconsin defense that does not allow many big plays. They make you earn everything on that side of the ball and the good thing is, Wake Forest does not turn the ball over much. Getting off to a fast start will also be key for Wake.

For the Wake Forest defense, getting pressure on Mertz and creating havoc plays is how to beat Wisconsin. Wisconsin does not play well when they are behind the chains due to their lack of explosiveness and Wake needs to take advantage of that.

Betting Odds

Spread: Wisconsin -7

Total: 52.5

Prediction

I think this has the makings of a low scoring game and I think that kind of game favors the Badgers. Wake Forest has had a really good season considering their circumstances on offense and Dave Clawson is one of the best coaches in the country. Wisconsin has one of the best defenses in the country and I think that be the difference. The Badgers offense will make just enough plays to get another bowl game win.

Final Score: Wisconsin 23, Wake Forest 14