Syracuse Orange vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack Odds & Game Pick (2021)

Last week, the North Carolina State Wolfpack lost a heartbreaker, losing to Wake Forest, 45-42. The Wolfpack are now 7-3 with two losses by three points or less on the season. You start to think about what this season could’ve been had the Wolfpack found a way in those two games against Miami and Wake Forest.

However, don’t feel too bad for the Wolfpack. North Carolina State will take on a Syracuse team that was smacked around by Louisville last week. Syracuse lost 41-3, and the spread was tight at closing.

Syracuse is just 5-5 on the season and needs one more win for a bowl game. The miracle season started well, but things have taken a halt, with three losses in the Orange’s last five games. Can North Carolina State prove they belong in the Top 25, or will Syracuse find a way to become bowl eligible in 2021?

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Details

• Opening Line: North Carolina State -12.5, O/U 50.5
• Current Line: North Carolina State -11.5, O/U 51.5
• Last meeting: November 28, 2020, North Carolina State 36, Syracuse 29

Overview 

It’s been a fun year for Syracuse. Before last week, the Orange was a covering machine. However, the engine might need new batteries. On the road, Syracuse looked awful in their previous game against Louisville and will need to win one of their last two games to make a bowl game.

It’s going to be tough against a very good North Carolina State team.

Syracuse has not performed well offensively other than running back Sean Tucker, who has 1362 yards and 11 touchdowns on the year as a freshman. The thing is, North Carolina State has allowed just 102.1 yards per game on the ground this season and have played exceptionally well in the run game defensively all year.

The Wolfpack have allowed just 18.9 points per game and under 330 yards per game as well. North Carolina does many things well above average outside the running game and has been in every single game this year.

Devin Leary has led the Wolfpack with 29 touchdowns and just five interceptions on the year. He’s one of the big-time quarterbacks in the ACC conference that continues to produce ridiculous quarterbacks. Because of guys like Sam Hartman and Sam Howell, Leary isn’t talked about as much as he should be. He’s thrown for 2,883 yards and will more than likely finish with over 3,000 yards on the season, with two more games and a bowl game coming up.

For Leary, the offensive line has produced, not only in pass protection but also with run block, helping North Carolina State to average 421.6 yards per game along with 291.1 yards passing.

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Trends 

• Wolfpack is 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
• Wolfpack is 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight-up loss.
• Over is 6-1 in Wolfpack last 7 games after allowing more than 40 points in their previous game.

Bottom Line 

North Carolina State continues to impress week after week, especially coming off a loss. The Wolfpack are 6-0 against the spread following a straight-up loss and seem always to respond well when their backs are up against the wall.

Syracuse has a solid run game but nothing else to rave about on the offensive end. Meanwhile, North Carolina has one of the best rushing defenses in college football and has many areas where they’ve been elite on the defensive end. Also, remember that North Carolina State’s Leary is one passing touchdown away from reaching 30 touchdowns on the season. The Wolfpack have been excellent this season and should show up after a defeat last week.

Pick: North Carolina State -11.5 (-110)

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Jason Radowitz is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him @Jason_Radowitz.