The North Carolina Wolfpack is playing really well right now, especially on offense. The team is averaging 40 points a game and has won two in a row coming into this Week 6 contest against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
That’s an issue for the Irish, who are 2-3 on the season, thanks largely to a subpar defense. Notre Dame captured a much-needed win over Syracuse last week, but will need a stronger start against NC State to emerge victorious.
This matchup in Week 6 of the regular season will take place on Saturday, October 8, 2016, at 12 p.m. ET at Carter-Finley Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Notre Dame PK
North Carolina State PK
Over/Under 67.5
Odds Analysis
Notre Dame has struggled this season after high preseason expectations but the bettors aren’t shying away. More than 65 percent of the money is coming in on the Fighting Irish to pick up the road win.
The scoring total has been deemed too low by the betting public as 67 percent of the action is taking the “over” thus far.
Player to Watch
Deshone Kizer -- The Notre Dame quarterback has been impressive this season, throwing for 1,567 yards with 14 touchdowns and four interceptions in the first five games.
He also has six rushing touchdowns and 187 yards on the ground this season. Kizer threw for 471 yards in the win over Syracuse last week, including three touchdowns.
In the first game of the season, a double-overtime loss to Texas, Kizer had five touchdowns. His performance is key, especially with all the defensive struggles.
Key Stat
33.4. That’s how many points Notre Dame’s opponents are averaging each week. Last Saturday against Syracuse, the first game since firing defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder, was an improvement, at least in the second half.
After allowing 27 points and 324 yards in the first half, the Irish defense came out much stronger in the final two quarters, holding the Orange to just six points and 165 yards in the 50-33 win. Now, the question is whether or not the young squad can continue that upward trajectory.
Notre Dame faces a high-powered offense this week in North Carolina State and will be tested by sophomore quarterback Ryan Finley, who by all appearances seems to be hitting his stride. The talent on special teams and offense for Notre Dame is certainly an asset, but the defense must be better.
Free ATS Pick
NC State comes into this game with a record of 3-1. The team’s lone loss was to East Carolina by a field goal on September 10th.
Finley has been been a terrific addition to the Wolfpack with 1,014 yards and nine touchdowns so far without a single interception. The sophomore, who transferred from Boise State, threw for a season-high 300 yards last week in the win over Wake Forest.
This game is big for the Wolfpack because it only gets tougher from here. The team travels to No. 3 Clemson and No. 7 Louisville after facing Notre Dame.
The Fighting Irish started the season on a sour note and really hasn’t had many bright moments since. After a 33-10 win over Nevada in Week 2, they followed up with back-to-back losses to Michigan State and Duke.
The Notre Dame defense finally put together some positive momentum in the second half last week. However, this is a tougher test with Finley playing well.
While North Carolina State is no pushover, expect Kizer to excel. Notre Dame’s season went south in a hurry but a win here could at least help salvage it the rest of the way. There could be a good deal of points in this one so the “over” is the correct choice.
College Football Odds: Notre Dame 38, North Carolina State 34
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