2016 Sun Bowl: Six players to watch for UNC-Stanford

Nov 5, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Larry Fedora leads his players onto the field before the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 48-20. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Larry Fedora leads his players onto the field before the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 48-20. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bryce Love

The Raleigh native spurned UNC for Stanford a couple of years ago, and has been solid for the Cardinal. Love will get a bulk of the carries, now that Christian McCaffrey will sit out the bowl game. McCaffrey’s decision brought much criticism, but in reality, their abilities are fairly similar.

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Even as a backup, Love showed how good he is all season. On 90 attempts, Love is averaging 7.4 yards per carry, which is better than McCaffrey this season.

While Love is noMcCaffrey, he is still a good running back, and good running backs tend to have great days against UNC.

If Bryce Love has a good day against UNC, it will force the Heels to score a lot of points, and against a great Stanford defense, that could make it hard on the Tar Heels.

If the Cardinal can get ahead early on the Heels, Love will be able to set the tone for the rest of the game.