3 bold predictions for West Virginia football against UNC

West Virginia will play against the Tar Heels of North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on December 27th at 5:30 PM ET. This matchup features two teams looking to collect win number 9 of 2023 and catapult their way into the 2024 season.

Here are 3 bold predictions for the West Virginia football team in the Mountaineers matchup with the Tar Heels.

1. Rodney Gallagher III throws a touchdown pass

The heavily recruited wide receiver Rodney Gallagher III has caught just 10 passes for 74 yards this season. He also has 15 carries for 87 yards. Gallagher was a spectacular athlete coming out of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. The football and basketball star received scholarship offers to play football at schools like Penn State, Michigan, and Oregon. However, he elected to play for the Mountaineers and has verbally committed to sticking around for his sophomore season. 

Expect Neal Brown to have a couple of tricks up his sleeve for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Gallagher spent most of his high school career playing the quarterback position. With WVU finishing up the 2023 season and looking to jumpstart their 2024 campaign, expect Gallagher to be an integral part of the offense. Maybe Brown will draw up a play that lets Gallagher take a shot at the end zone. 

2. Beanie Bishop Jr. collects two interceptions 

Beanie Bishop undoubtedly has had the best season of any Mountaineer player acquired via the transfer portal. The standout cornerback has been named a Consensus All-American. Bishop led the nation in passes defended and managed to collect 4 interceptions. UNC quarterback Conner Harrell will have his hands full having to go against the All-American cornerback in the secondary. In the final game of his collegiate career, expect Bishop to pick-off the inexperienced quarterback, maybe even twice.

3. Garrett Greene posts eerily similar statistics to Pat White in his performance in the 2008 Meineke Car Care Bowl

It is no secret that WVU and UNC met in Charlotte for a bowl game in 2008. On December 27th, 2008, Pat White led the Mountaineers to a 31-30 victory over the Tar Heels in his final collegiate game.

White finished the game with:

332 passings yards | 55 rushing yards | 3 touchdowns

Garrett Greene will look to put forth a similar effort in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on December 27th, 2023. Same day, same opponent, same stadium, the Mountaineers will need a great game from their quarterback if they want to beat the Tar Heels again. 

Greene’s predicted stat line:

330 passing yards | 50 rushing yards | 3 touchdowns