NC State-South Florida
Time: 3:30 EST
Line: NCST -1.5
Total: 52
M/L: NCST -120; SF EVEN
Betting odds courtesy of Bookmaker
NC State has opened the season 2-0 with victories over Georgia Southern and Old Dominion. South Florida represents more a test, with the Wolfpack favored by just 1.5-points according to college football oddsmakers.
The Wolfpack have done a good job of balancing the pass and run. The team ranks 53rd in the nation in passing yards (272) and 49th in rushing (207.5). It’s resulted in the Wolfpack averaging 35 points per contest.
QB Jacoby Brissett is building on his last season (2012) which saw him complete 65.7 percent of his passes (23-of-35). It’s a small sample size, but it seems Brissett may be able to recreate that brilliance. Though two games, he’s amassed 544 yards on 71 percent completion. He also has five TDs to just one INT.
In the backfield Shadrach Thornton and Matt Dayes have combined for 272 yards and four TDs (Thornton has three). Dayes has averaged 5.9 yards per run, while Thornton is 6.6. The productivity of the run has opened it up for the WRs.
Bo Hines has 13 receptions for 146 yards. He’s also a freshman. Dayes, a sophomore, has caught 19 passes for 113 yards. He’s also accounted for two TDs, and last season he had just one, while playing limited snaps and receiving 63 catches for 252 yards. He’ll build on that this season, and the Wolfpack should be strong offensively this season.
Last year’s victory over Florida State proved NC State can hang with the best.
The South Florida Bulls are 1-1 on the season, with the opening Week 1 victory over West Carolina. Week 2 saw the Wolfpack fall to Maryland 24-17. While the Bulls are just 1.5 point underdogs, NC State could open this one up with its superior offense.
The Bulls rank near the bottom of Division I passing with just 182.5 yards per game. The run has been slightly more effective (60th in nation, 188.5 yards per game). It’s resulted in a 26.5 point to 27.5 average for the Bulls. Opponents have outscored the team combined, despite the .500 record.
The Bulls have been using two quarterbacks this season, but both have been very ineffective M. White and S. Bench are a combined 25-of-74 passing, which is about 33 percent. In other words, it is disgusting and horrible.
Freshman Marlon Mack has been the best option for the Bulls. He’s amassed 348 yards on 46 attempts, good for a 7.6 yard average. He’s also scored four TDs and caught two passes for 12 yards total. If he further hones his receiving abilities, he’s going to be a stud. As it is, he already is, but that would take he and the Bulls to new levels.
Trends:
NC St: OVER 6-0 in last 6 following ATS loss; UNDER 6-0 in last 6 after allowing 280 yards passing in previous game; 0-5 ATS in last 5 following ATS loss.
S Fla: UNDER 5-0 in last 5 following ATS win; 0-4 ATS in last 4 home games vs. teams with winning records; UNDER 4-0 in last 4 following SU loss.
