NC State is set to face Maryland in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl later this month.

The Wolfpack are slight underdogs in this game, but ESPN’s Stanford Steve is banking on a good performance.

Stanford Steve is projecting a 20-17 upset victory for the Wolfpack. Here’s some of his analysis:

“I just love how NC State regrouped after losing their QB, Devin Leary to injury this season. They ended up playing four different quarterbacks enroute to eight wins. Now I know the goal wasn’t that prior to the season, but to find a way to get there was pretty darn impressive. There’s a toughness that Dave Doeren has instilled in this program and a mindset that they will out tough you when times get tough. As motivated as the Terps were for last year’s bowl game, I don’t get the same feeling this year. I’ll take the ‘Pack.”

NC State is looking to complete another nine-win season. The Wolfpack have won exactly nine games in three of the last five seasons under Dave Doeren.

Historically, NC State-Maryland has been a very even rivalry. The all-time season series is deadlocked at 33-33-4. These teams haven’t met since 2013 due to conference realignment.

Kickoff is at 12:00 p.m. ET on Dec. 30.