Just over a month ago, the UNC football team was well on its way to carving out a spot in the ACC Championship Game–and potentially a place in the historic Orange Bowl Game.

Losses to Duke and NC State over the final three weeks of the season put a wrench in those plans, however, as the Tar Heels limped to an 8-4 finish.

Now instead of a trip to Miami, UNC will have to settle for scenic El Paso, Texas–where it will take on Stanford in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 30.

The Cardinal have been one of the hotter teams in college football following a disappointing 4-3 start.

Since that time, Stanford (9-3) has rattled off five consecutive victories in PAC-12 conference play behind star tailback–and last year’s Heisman Trophy runner-up–Christian McCaffrey.

This season, McCaffrey has compiled 1,603 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 253 carries. A do-it-all kind of player, he also led the team with 37 receptions for 310 yards and three scores.

The Tar Heels have lost each of their last two bowl appearances under head coach Larry Fedora, including a 49-38 loss to Baylor last season in the Russell Athletic Bowl. In that game, the Bears rushed for an all-time bowl record 645 yards against a porous UNC run defense.

In order to close out the season on a high note, Fedora’s squad will have to keep Stanford’s superstar under control in a way it was unable to do last season against Baylor–a task much easier said than done.

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