Matt Barrie (play-by-play), Dan Mullen (analyst), and Harry Lyles Jr. (sideline) (ESPN) Mike Couzens (play-by-play) and Charles Arbuckle (analyst) (ESPN Radio)
The 2023 edition of the Duke's Mayo Bowl was the fourth under the Duke's Mayonnaise branding and 22nd overall. Based on conference tie-ins, the game was to feature teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and the Southeastern Conference (SEC). However, West Virginia's selection made it a matchup of teams from the ACC and the Big 12 Conference.
This was the third all-time meeting between the Mountaineers and the Tar Heels; the teams had a 1–1 record in prior games. Both previous matchups also were in bowl games, the 2008 Meineke Car Care Bowl (an earlier naming of the Duke's Mayo Bowl) won by West Virginia, and the 1997 Gator Bowl won by North Carolina.[6]
After starting the regular season 6–0 and rising as high as 10th in the AP poll, North Carolina went 2–4 in their final six regular season games, finishing the season unranked and with an 8–4 record (4–4 in ACC play). The Tar Heels played two ranked opponents, recording a victory over then-No. 25 Miami and a loss against then-No. 22 NC State at the close of the regular season. Sophomore running back Omarion Hampton ran for 1,442 yards and 15 touchdowns in the regular season, becoming a finalist for the Doak Walker Award.
North Carolina made its 38th bowl game appearance and sixth Duke's Mayo Bowl appearance.[7]
The 2023 Mountaineers also went 8–4 in the regular season (6–3 in Big 12 play). They finishing tied for fourth in their conference's standings. They played two ranked opponents, losing both games—they lost their season opener to No. 7 Penn State and later lost to No. 17 Oklahoma in conference play.
West Virginia made their 40th bowl appearance and third Duke's Mayo Bowl appearance.[8]