Boston College – NC State
Time: 3:30 PM ET
Spread: NCST -3.5
M/L: NCST -160; BC +140
Total: 55
Betting odds courtesy of Bovada
NC State is trying to recover after having faced two of its toughest ACC opponents in succession, the top-ranked Florida State Seminoles and Clemson Tigers. In weeks 1-4 the Wolfpack beat Georgia Southern, Old Dominion, South Florida and Presbyterian, but against the powerhouse ACC clubs the Wolfpack saw itself lose by 15 points to FSU and was shutout 41-0 by Clemson.
Things may change this week with the Wolfpack entering as 3.5-point favorites over Boston College according to this week’s college football odds.
NC State has been good on the ground. The Wolfpack have rushed for 212.5 yards per game, helping the team score 33.7 points per contest. The issues with the defense were apparent early though, giving up 23 and 34 points to weak Ga. Southern and Old Dominion teams. Slowing Boston College may be a bit easier.
Boston College is far from an offensive juggernaut, averaging 29.6 points per game. The Eagles rush attack is dangerous, amassing 316.8 yards per game, and the Eagles also have scored a big victory over then- No. 9 USC this season on Sept 13.
The potential for this team to be very good is there, but it can’t be all defense. The D has held opponents to 20.4 points per game. Aside from the 37 points allowed to USC, the Eagles have not allowed more than 21 points in any contest.
BC’s rushing game is largely due to QB Tyler Murphy’s dual threat quality. Murphy has thrown for 660 yards at a 54.5 percent clip, but he’s rushed for 579 yards and six TDs with 8.2 yards per carry. He’s backed by two more solid options out of the backfield, Jon Hillman and Myles Willis. Hillman has six TDs on 369 yards this season.
NC State’s QB Jacoby Brissett has thrown for 1,399 yards on 64.3 percent completion ratio, while tallying 13 TDs with just 1 INT. Still, the Wolfpack’s attack is very balanced with 14 rushing TDs and 13 receiving TDs.
The top two options in the backfield, Shadrah Thornton and Matt Dayes, have each averaged six-plus yards per carry, while No. 3 back Tony Creecy leads the team in yards per carry with 6.5 per attempt. Thornton has rushed for seven of the team’s rushing TDs, while Dayes accounts for another three.
