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2016 Independence Bowl: Time, TV channel, live stream, odds and preview

Derek Mason has taken the Commodores to a bowl for the first time. Can they get the job done against NC State?

NCAA Football: Tennessee at Vanderbilt Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Viewing Information

Time: 5 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN2

Live Stream: WatchESPN


Gambling Info

(via OddsShark)

Spread: NC State opened as a four point favorite, but that number is up to as high as six in some places.

Records ATS: NC State 8-4 | Vanderbilt 7-5

O/U: 45


Inside the Numbers (via Football Study Hall)

Category North Carolina State Vanderbilt
Category North Carolina State Vanderbilt
S&P+ Offense 31.2 (55th) 25.1 (90th)
S&P+ Defense 20.1 (17th) 27.2 (45th)
Rushing S&P+ Offense 102.2 (67th) 102.7 (66th)
Rushing S&P+ Defense 125.8 (11th) 13.6 (52nd)
Rush Success Rate Offense 43.3% (69th) 43.9% (62nd)
Rush Success Rate Defense 34.5% (9th) 42.8% (68th)
Passing S&P+ Offense 110 (46th) 95.4 (84th)
Passing S&P+ Defense 115.8 (19th) 108.7 (36th)
Pass Success Rate Offense 42.6% (46th) 38.6% (87th)
Pass Success Rate Defense 39.3% (53rd) 41.8% (73rd)

Players to Watch

NC State

RB Matthew Dayes

Dayes, a senior running back, finished third in the ACC in rushing yards this season with 1119 rushing yards. The two players to finish ahead of him were Lamar Jackson and Dalvin Cook, respectively. Dayes rushed for 100+ yards in five of NC State’s six wins this season, and eight times overall. Vandy is a touch above average against the run this season, allowing 165 yards per game (57th in the nation). If the ‘Dores are able to slow Dayes down, it should go a long way towards a potential victory.

DE Bradley Chubb

Chubb, cousin of Georgia RB Nick Chubb, had his coming out party this season when he recorded three sacks in NC State’s 10-3 victory over Notre Dame. The junior finished the season with 9.5 sacks and 21 TFL. Vanderbilt gave up 27 sacks on the year, third-worst in the SEC, so if Chubb once again takes his game to another level in a big game, it may be a long day for Vandy QB Kyle Shurmur.

Vanderbilt

ILB Zach Cunningham

Where else were we going to start? The First Team All-SEC linebacker has been the driving force behind the Vanderbilt defense all season long. His 16.5 tackles for loss are 20th in the nation, and there’s a very good chance Monday may be Cunningham’s final collegiate game. He’ll certainly be looking to go out as a winner and make a huge impact for the Commodores.

RB Ralph Webb

NC State isn’t the only team with a 1000+ yard rusher in this game. Vanderbilt’s Ralph Webb upped his yards from last season to this season (1172 to 1152, respectively) on 50 fewer touches. While the 20-yard jump doesn’t seem significant on its own, it’s a full yard per carry more this season than last. That’s progress. However, Webb will have to do some of his best work of the season if he wants to make an impact in this one. NC State comes into the game at #6 in the nation at rushing yards allowed per game with 104.7, including holding Florida State’s Dalvin Cook to 65 yards on 18 carries in their meeting in early November.