NC state-UNC
Time: 11:30 AM CST
Spread: UNC -6.5
M/L: UNC -245; NCST +205
Total: 69
Betting odds c/o Bovada
North Carolina has been steadily improving as a threat in the ACC. The Tar Heels are 6-5 this season with a 4-3 mark in conference play. This week, UNC will host an in-state rivalry against N.C. State in a game college football oddsmakers are setting the line 6.5 points in favor of North Carolina.
UNC has been very strong with its pass offense. The Tar Heels rank 19th in the nation with 288 passing yards per game, helping guide a steady offense to 36.7 points per game. Unfortunately, the Tar Heels are unable to stop opponents with equal futility, allowing 39.3 points per game this season. Even so, the Tar Heels out-scored Pitt and Duke 85-55 combined over the last two weeks, and have looked much stronger defensively since allowing 47 points to Miami (FL) on Nov. 1.
The potency and totality of UNC’s offense is concentrated at the QB position. Marquise Williams has thrown for 2,773 yards this season at a 63.4 percent clip while also having rushed for 726 yards and 12 rushing TDs. His 20:8 TD/INT ratio is strong, helping to account for a 140.1 passer rating. In the backfield, Williams has strong options to hand the ball off to, as well, with T.J. Logan and Romar Morris both steady backs that have combined for seven TDs and over 700 yards between them.
Williams’ stable of WRs features six options with 200 yards or greater this season, paced by Ryan Switzer’s 672 yards. Mack Hollins leads the team in receiving TDs with eight, including a 91-yard reception this season. The Tar Heels have done a good job at balancing its end zone attacks, with 26 reception TDs and 25 rushing. Offense, to be sure, has not been UNC’s issue this year.
NC State started its season strong with for straight victories, but since its 56-41 loss to Florida State on Sept 27, the Wolfpack has gone 2-5 to fall to a typically mediocre mark of 6-5 this season, accented by just 2-5 in ACC play.
Last week, the Wolfpack were able to demolish Wake Forest 42-13, but NC State is going to have a lot of trouble containing a tough offense like UNC’s. The Wolfpack allow 28.8 points per game this season, and surrendered 56 points to Georgia Tech on Nov. 8. In similar fashion, the Wolfpack allowed 44 points per game over its four game losing streak to FSU, Clemson, Boston College and Louisville.
Shadrach Thornton has been the best thing the Wolfpack has thrown at opposing defenses. Thornton is averaging 5.5 yards per carry this season and has 650 yards on the year, to go with eight TDs. No. 2 back Matt Dayes has also had great success with the second-most TDs (six) and 469 yards on the season.
QB Jacoby Brissett has been reasonably decent throwing the football, keeping his INTs down, but averages just 6.8 yards per attempt and is under 60 percent completion. His redemption is his 331 rushing yards, but Brissett will need to step it up next year in his senior season because this isn’t enough to make NC State much more than ACC fodder for tougher teams as it has been all season.
