The Virginia Cavaliers (+7) are set to pay a visit to their ACC rival North Carolina State Wolfpack (-7) at Carter-Finley Stadium. Fans can catch the action live on CHSS and the opening kickoff is scheduled for 12:20 p.m. ET.
Virginia Cavaliers at North Carolina State Wolfpack Betting Preview
The Cavaliers enter into this Saturday ACC game as the underdog and are currently receiving 7 points. In order to take the home favorite, moneyline gamblers would currently have to put down $300 to win $100 back on the Pack (-300). The Cavaliers are getting +220 moneyline odds. It appears that this contest should present some in-game betting opportunities.
This game’s line initially opened at -8 and the early action has leaned in favor of the Cavaliers.
Both of these teams have been profitable this year as both the Cavaliers and the Pack have gained exactly 2.0 units so far.
The Cavaliers have gone 3-1 straight up (SU), including 1-0 SU against ACC opponents. The Wolfpack are 3-0 SU overall and are also 0-0 SU in conference play.
The Cavaliers are looking to maintain momentum following a solid 27-3 win over Louisville last week where Bryce Perkins completed 17 passes on 24 attempts for 197 yards, two scores and one interception. Jordan Ellis (68 rushing yards on 20 attempts) and the signal-caller Perkins (78 yards on 14 carries, one TD) led the running attack in the win. Olamide Zaccheaus (four receptions, 29 yards) and Hasise Dubois (three catches, 26 yards) handled the receiving duties.
The North Carolina State Pack are coming off of a big 37-20 win over Marshall. The defensive secondary allowed the Thundering Herd to air it out for 270 yards. Keion Davis had a productive outing in the defeat, recording 99 yards on six catches for Marshall. For North Carolina State, Ryan Finley completed 23-of-40 passes for 377 yards and one touchdown. Reggie Gallaspy (81 rushing yards on 22 attempts, two TDs) spearheaded the ground game in the win as Kelvin Harmon (six receptions, 150 yards) and Emeka Emezie (six catches, 69 yards, one TD) led the receiving corps.
Virginia has run the ball on 59.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while North Carolina State has a rush percentage of 44.0 percent. The Cavaliers have produced 217 rush yards/game and have eight scores via handoffs this year. The Pack are totaling 108 rushing yards per game and have six total rush TDs.
The Wahoos offense has tallied 218 yards per game through the air overall and has nine passing TDs so far. The Pack have recorded a ridiculous 371 pass yards per outing and have five total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, Virginia seems to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 114 rush yards and 184 pass yards per game. The North Carolina State defense has given up 238.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 108.0 yards per game to opposing runners. The Wahoos are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.46 to opponents, while the Pack have given up a 5.70 ANY/A.
Offensively, Perkins is up to 488 passing yards this season, and has connected on 58 percent of his 72 attempts with six passing scores and two interceptions. He has a 6.57 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 10.33 over the past two games.
We’re expecting the Cavaliers to control tempo by pounding the defense with their running backs. Backfield mates Olamide Zaccheaus (-17 rush yards, 145 receiving yards, two receiving TDs) and Jordan Ellis (277 rush yards, two rush TDs) have been focal points in the Virginia offensive scheme.
For the home team, Ryan Finley has completed 52-of-83 passes for 686 yards, three TDs and zero INTs. Finley’s ANY/A sits at 8.66 for the year and 9.57 over his past two outings.
The Pack should also look to control the clock by turning to their backfield. In addition to Kelvin Harmon (183 receiving yards), Thayer Thomas (zero rush yards, 61 receiving yards, one receiving TD) and Trent Pennix (34 rush yards, eight receiving yards) have gotten a lot of action lately.
These two conference foes did not get a chance to play each other in 2017.
Free Prediction: Virginia Cavaliers at North Carolina State Wolfpack
SU Winner – North Carolina State, ATS Winner – North Carolina State
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
As a team, Virginia has averaged 5.4 yards per carry over its last two matchups.
North Carolina State has averaged 3.6 yards per carry over its last two.
The North Carolina State offense has lost two fumbles this season while Virginia has lost four.
The Cavaliers offense has tallied three pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Wolfpack have accounted for two such plays.
The Virginia defense has allowed one pass play of 40 or more yards, while North Carolina State has given up two such plays.
The Virginia offense has created eight rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while North Carolina State has created zero such runs.
The Cavaliers defense has allowed three rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Wolfpack have given up four such runs.
The Virginia defensive unit has nine sacks on the year while North Carolina State has six.
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