North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. Tennessee Volunteers
Friday, 8/31/12, 7:30 PM EST, TV: ESPNU
Opening Point Spread: Tennessee -4
Current Betting Line: Tennessee -3
Opening Total: 50.5
Current Total: 52
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
North Carolina State kicks off its 2012 campaign inside the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, as it opens against a Southeastern Conference foe for the third time in the last five seasons. The Wolfpack are one of only 12 teams nationally that have won a bowl game each of the past two seasons, while their 17-9 mark in that span is the third-best overall record in the ACC in that span. NC State is 9-3 as an underdog the last two years, while the “under” is 8-5 in that situation.
The Wolfpack are led by fifth-year senior quarterback Mike Glennon, who completed 62.5 percent of his pass attempts and threw for 31 touchdowns. On the other side of the football, NC State has one of the best cornerbacks in the nation, as junior David Amerson picked off a nation-leading and ACC record 13 passes a year ago. It’s safe to say he played a major part in the defense leading the nation with 27 total interceptions.
Tennessee has tallied a 23-3-2 mark in its last 28 season openers, which includes an 8-3-2 mark against teams currently in a BCS conference. The Volunteers have really struggled inside this venue, as they look to snap a six-game losing streak in Atlanta and the Georgia Dome that dates back to the 2001 campaign. The program will also look to end a three-game losing streak to ACC foes, which includes a two-game losing streak in neutral-site affairs. Tennessee is 4-3 in non-conference games the last two years.
The Volunteers also have a solid option under center, as Tyler Bray leads all active SEC signal-callers with six career 300-yard passing games. He will be protected by an offensive line that’s one of just seven nationally that returns all five players that didn’t start a senior last year. On the other side of the ball, linebacker A.J. Johnson is the player to watch, as he ranked second in school history with 80 tackles as a true freshman.
Sports bettors will likely back the Wolfpack due to their 19-7-2 ATS record as an underdog, while the Volunteers are 0-5 ATS in their last five games against ACC opponents.
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