The North Carolina Tar Heels (6-6) will travel to Detroit to face off against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (7-5) at Ford Field in the Quick Lane Bowl on Boxing Day, Dec. 26. Viewers can watch the game online via live stream - free for subscribers - below.
According to the Associated Press, Rutgers looks forward to capping a successful first season run in the Big Ten with a victory on Friday when they meet North Carolina, considered one of the nation's worst defensive teams. Quarterback Gary Nova wants to help Rutgers earn its eighth win.
"Obviously we wanted to be undefeated, but 8-5 is a solid season, especially in this conference with the great teams, great players, so it would be a great way to end the season," Nova said.
The Scarlet Knights' trip to Detroit also gives them the opportunity to recruit more players in Big Ten country. The Associated Press reported that Rutgers coach Kyle Flood wants Michigan linebacker L.J. Liston and freshman quarterback Giovanni Rescigno on his roster.
"Two players on the team from Michigan, which is exciting for them to go home and have the bowl experience," Flood said. "I think it's certainly a highly populated area with Big Ten alums."
For Rutgers, the key to victory would involve taking advantage of North Carolina's weak defense. Mark Ross of Athlon Sports pointed out how bad North Carolina's defense is with facts and figures.
"The Tar Heels are 118th in total defense (495.7 ypg), 119th in scoring defense (38.9 ppg), 117th in rushing defense (232.2 ypg), and 108th in passing defense (263.5 ypg)," Ross said. "There's no way to sugarcoat it, this defense has been horrendous."
Ross noted that for North Carolina to win this game, they will have to put together a complete game. In addition, the Tar Heels will need to rely on Marquise Williams, who is among the nation's leaders in total offense.
"If junior quarterback Marquise Williams can continue his solid play (300.6 ypg of total offense, 19th in FBS), the Tar Heels should be able to do some things against Rutgers' defense, which hasn't exactly shut opponents down," Ross wrote. "However, the defense will need to rise to the occasion as well, and a contribution on special teams, a strength last season, certainly wouldn't hurt."
Tar Heels coach Larry Fedora told the Associated Press that assistant Dan Disch will figure out the defense against Rutgers.
"We still have to do things we know we can do and things our kids feel comfortable with," Fedora said. "There will be some tweaks and adjustments and some things like that. Whether or not you'll see it from the naked eye, I don't know."
Even though the Tar Heels look like they don't have a chance on paper, Flood thinks that North Carolina could surprise them on the football field.
"I know they've been very good on offense, I think they've scored over 40 points four times at least this season," Flood said regarding the Tar Heels. "They've beaten some good people, it should be a very competitive game."
Friday's game will be broadcasted on ESPN at 4:30 p.m. ET. While online viewers can stream the game through WatchESPN.com or via the WatchESPN app for various devices, both options require a cable subscription and login.
