NC State vs. Pittsburgh Prediction
No. 24 Pittsburgh is laying over two touchdowns as a home favorite to fellow ACC rival N.C. State at Noon ET on Saturday. Is that spread too high? Or with the total listed at 46.5, is there a better angle when it comes to that number?
Game Snapshot
121 N.C. State Wolfpack (+14) at 122 Pittsburgh Panthers (-14); o/u 46.5
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA
12:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, October 3, 2020
N.C. State Wolfpack Game Notes
NC State HC Dave Doeren refuses to name a starting QB until the start of their game against Pitt this Saturday. HC Doeren is playing his hand tight to his vest in advance of a big ACC matchup against a tough Pitt defense. Bailey Hockman started their last game against Virginia Tech, but struggled mightily and had to be replaced by former-starter Devin Leary who moved the offense pretty effectively through the air. When asked about the QB competition, HC Doeren said “I’ve said this 20 times now, but we need both of them. They’re going to continue to get better, and you guys will see on game day who it is.”
Pittsburgh Panthers Game Notes
Pitt senior RB A.J. Davis (undisclosed) could possibly return to game action this Saturday against NC State. This is great news for Pitt, as Davis (6’0/215) left their last game against Louisville early in the first half and did not return. He led Pitt in rushing last year with 127 carries for 530 yards and four touchdowns, but his 4.2 YPC was almost a yard less than second leading rusher Vincent Davis’ 5.1 YPC. Vincent ended up beating out A.J. Davis for the starting running back job in fall camp with A.J. still receiving 11 carries for 37 yards in Pitt’s 21-10 victory over Syracuse in a reserve capacity. If he can’t suit up, highly touted freshman Israel Abanikanda will handle RB2 duties this Saturday against NC State.
N.C. State vs. Pittsburgh Betting Prediction
The Wolfpack have been dreadful at the betting window, failing to cover in nine of their last 10 attempts when listed as an underdog. They’re also 0-5 ATS in their last five games coming off a win, are 0-7 against the number in their last seven road games as an underdog and are 0-6 at the betting window in their last six road games when facing a team with a winning home record. On the other side, the Panthers have covered in seven of their last eight games played in October and are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games when facing an opponent with a winning record.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 5 BETTING PREDICTION: PITTSBURGH PANTHERS -14