The North Carolina State Wolfpack (-14.5) are set to face off against the Louisville Cardinals at Cardinal Stadium. CHSS has the TV rights and the game’s scheduled for 12:20 p.m. ET. These schools faced off last year with the final outcome being a 39-25 win for North Carolina State.
North Carolina State Wolfpack at Louisville Cardinals Betting Preview
In this Saturday Atlantic Coast matchup, North Carolina State is labeled as the heavy favorite and is currently giving up 14.5 points. The Wolfpack are also receiving -750 moneyline odds while the Cardinals are +510. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 63.5 points, and if one side finds paydirt early, it will likely generate a reasonable in-game betting scenario.
The underwhelming Wolfpack have lost 12.8 units so far and are 4-5 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 4-4. The Cardinals have lost 5.5 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 1-9 ATS and have an O/U record of 7-3.
The Wolfpack have gone 6-3 straight up (SU), including 3-3 SU against conference opponents. The Cardinals are 2-8 SU overall and 0-7 SU in conference play.
The Wolfpack fell to Wake Forest 27-23 in a game where Ryan Finley completed 35-of-52 passes for 374 yards, as well as one TD and an interception. Reggie Gallaspy (36 rushing yards on 14 attempts) led the ground attack. Kelvin Harmon (15 receptions, 134 yards) and Jakobi Meyers (10 catches, 117 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
Louisville just lost a 54-23 game to Syracuse. The defense allowed the Orange to rush for 326 yards on 55 attempts, including five rush TDs. Moe Neal was a force to be reckoned with, putting up 159 rushing yards and two touchdowns on eight attempts for Syracuse. As a group, the Cards collectively completed 14-of-31 passes for 210 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Jawon Pass went 13-for-25 for 196 yards, one touchdown and one interception while Sean McCormack was one-of-five for 14 yards and one interception. Pass (80 rushing yards on 12 attempts) and Hassan Hall (11 yards on 10 carries, one TD) mounted the running game while Seth Dawkins (three receptions, 53 yards) and Jaylen Smith (two catches, 27 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
In terms of offensive play-calling, each of these squads sports a remarkably similar (48-52) run-pass ratio on the season. The Wolfpack have produced 124 rush yards/game (including 133 per game versus Atlantic Coast opponents) and have 15 scores on the ground this year. The Cards are logging 122 rushing yards per game (114 in conference) and have 16 total rush TDs.
If 2018 numbers can translate to this game, then it appears the Wolfpack may have the more disruptive lines up front, as their offensive line has given up only 13 sacks while the D-line logged 29 sacks. The Cardinals O-line has given up 33 sacks and their defense has created only 27 sacks.
The Pack offense has averaged 329 yards through the air overall (308 per game versus conference opposition) and has 17 passing scores so far. The Cards have put up 230 pass yards per outing (256.1 against ACC foes) and have 10 total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, North Carolina State has allowed 99 rush yards and 305 pass yards per game. The Louisville D has allowed 186.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 282.3 yards per game to opposing runners. The Pack are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of 7.34 to opposing QBs, while the Cards have allowed an 8.49 ANY/A.
Offensively, Finley has already put up 2,624 passing yards this season, and has completed 212-of-317 attempts with 14 passing scores and seven interceptions. Finley’s got a sparkling 7.94 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 8.04 over the last two outings.
In the other locker room, Jawon Pass has completed 145-of-265 passes for 1,783 yards, eight TDs and nine INTs. Pass’ ANY/A stands at a less-than-ideal 4.78 for the year and 2.20 over his past two games.
RELATED: Week 12 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Betting Prediction: North Carolina State Wolfpack at Louisville Cardinals
SU Winner – North Carolina State, ATS Winner – North Carolina State, O/U – Under
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Notes
The Louisville offense has lost nine fumbles this season while North Carolina State has let five get away.
The North Carolina State defense has more than three times as many sacks as Louisville this year (29 to nine).
North Carolina State has averaged 2.8 yards per carry across its past three contests and 2.9 over its last two.
Louisville has averaged 4.1 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 3.8 over its last two.
In its last three matchups, Louisville is 0-3 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
The Over/Under for North Carolina State’s previous game going into it was 66.5. The under cashed in the team’s 27-23 loss to Wake Forest.
In its last three contests, North Carolina State is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Louisville’s previous matchup was set at 69. The over cashed in the 54-23 defeat to Syracuse.
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