When: Today

Where: Las Vegas

Teams: San Diego State (7-4) vs. North Carolina (6-5)

Time: 6 p.m.

TV: ESPN2

Line: North Carolina by 7

Series record: First meeting

Career Bowl records: San Diego State 1-3; North Carolina 10-12.

Coaches: Ted Tollner, fifth season at San Diego State (32-25, 58-45 overall); Carl Torbush, first season at North Carolina (10-13 overall).

Outlook: The Aztecs went 7-1 in the WAC and were co-champions of its Pacific Division. SDSU began the season 0-3 with lopsided losses to strong teams -- Wisconsin, Southern Cal and Arizona. The Tar Heels won six of their last eight games after an 0-3 start to become bowl eligible. The Tar Heels are playing in their seventh straight bowl game and have won their last three.

Pub Date: 12/19/98