Watch the NC State vs. Mississippi State Belk Bowl online: Time, TV schedule, live stream, 3 things to know

The Belk Bowl has become one of the funnest bowl games of the season, thanks in large part to its Twitter presence -- and the fact that the nice people behind the Belk Bowl love to poke fun at sports writers.

Now to address some questions that you definitely have.

1. What is Belk?

Belk is a department store based in North Carolina.

2. Is NC State required to go to the Belk Bowl?

Somehow, no! Even though NC State is the most Belk Bowl team, this is only the Wolfpack’s second Belk Bowl since 2011.

This year, the Wolfpack were largely anonymous in the ACC. They didn’t beat any FBS teams with a winning record, but they did enough to get by against bad teams. They hung with both Clemson and Florida State, but couldn’t hold on. The biggest issue? The defense, which was inconsistent in giving up 5.31 yards per play this season.

The good news for NC State? Mississippi State’s defense is just as inconsistent, giving up 5.32 yards per play, and we should get a high-scoring affair. The Bulldogs were unable to replicate the success they had last season in a tough SEC West, but they’re back in the postseason, thanks to their offense and star quarterback Dak Prescott. Like NC State, Mississippi State beat just about everyone it was supposed to, and then some. Which team can exceed expectations for all the Belk?

TV: Dec. 30, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Radio: Mississippi State, NC State

Online streaming: WatchESPN

Spread: Mississippi State is favored by 5.5 points.

Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at For Whom The Cowbell Tolls for Mississippi State fans and Backing The Pack for NC State fans.

1. This year’s Belk Bowl will have one of the best quarterback battles of the bowl season, with two of the most underrated players. Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott has a claim as the best quarterback in school history, as he brought the Bulldogs’ program back, to the Orange Bowl and now to an 8-4 season. On the other side, Jacoby Brissett had 19 touchdowns and just four interceptions, while also rushing for 303 yards on the season.

2. This game should have a lot of points. Neither defense is particularly good, and both offenses have a lot of potential. Prescott is very strong, with 29 touchdowns and just four interceptions. The Bulldogs’ offense has improved as the season has progressed, showcased by a 51-50 win at Arkansas. NC State is less consistent, but the Wolfpack have potential, proven by a 41-point performance against Clemson.

3. The Belk Bowl has had a lot of blowouts in its history. The last Belk Bowl to be decided by one possession was the last time NC State was involved, in 2011. Hopefully this is a better game. Vegas thinks it will be.

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