NC State at Miami-FL: 10/23/21 College Football Picks and Prediction
Photo by Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Miami-FL Hurricanes (2-4) vs NC State Wolfpack (5-1)
Game Info: Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 7:30 pm (Hard Rock Stadium)
Betting Odds: Miami-FL Hurricanes +3.5 -- Over/Under: 53 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The 18th ranked NC State Wolfpack will travel to Hard Rock Stadium to take on the Miami Hurricanes this Saturday night in College Football action.
The 18th ranked NC State Wolfpack won their 4th straight game and improved to 5-1 on the season after defeating the Boston College Eagles, 33-7, this past Saturday. NC State was outstanding defensively against Boston College and pulled away in the 3rd quarter after a 79-yard TD reception by Thayer Thomas gave the Wolfpack a 31-7 lead. NC State outgained Boston College by a 381-291 margin and won the turnover battle by a 2-0 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Wolfpack was QB Dennis Leary who completed 16 of 24 passes for 251 yards & 3 TD.
On the season, NC State is averaging 32.3 ppg on 425.3 total yards per game (260.3 passing yds/g; 165.0 rushing yds/g). Offensively, NC State has been led by Devin Leary who has completed 67.3% of his passes for 1534 yards, 15 TD, & 2 INT. The top receiving threats for the Wolfpack have been Emeka Emezie (34 rec, 377 yards, TD), Thayer Thomas (27 rec, 312 yards, 4 TD), & Devin Carter (18 rec, 310 yards, 3 TD). Leading the way for the Wolfpack backfield has been the duo of Zonovan Knight (82 att, 503 yards, 3 TD) & Ricky Person Jr. (77 att, 384 yards, 4 TD).
Defensively, NC State is holding their opponents to an average of 14.3 ppg on 294.7 total yads per game (201.8 passing yds/g; 92.8 rushing yds/g).
The Miami Hurricanes lost their 2nd straight game and dropped to 2-4 on the season after being defeated by the North Carolina Tar Heels, 45-42, this past Saturday. Miami struggled to slow down the North Carolina offense and could not fight back after a 11-yard TD run by the Tar Heels Sam Howell gave North Carolina a 45-34 lead with 9:22 left in the 4th quarter. Miami outgained North Carolina by a 421-382 margin, however, lost the turnover battle by a 3-1 margin. Leading the way for the Hurricanes was Jaylan Knighton who has 17 carries for 92 yards & 2 TD.
On the season, Miami is averaging 32.3 ppg on 435.5 total yards per game (275.2 passing yds/g; 160.3 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Miami has been hurt by injuries as both QB D’Eriq King & RB Cam’Ron Harris are out for the season due to injury. QB Tyler Van Dyke has taken over for King and has completed 52.3% of his passes for 737 yards, 5 TD, & 3 INT. The top receiving threats for the Hurricanes have been Charleston Rambo (35 rec, 422 yards, 2 TD), Key’Shawn Smith (20 rec, 239 yards), Xavier Restrepo (12 rec, 236 yards, TD), & Mike Harley (25 rec, 229 yards, 2 TD). Leading the way for the Miami backfield will be Jaylan Knighton who has 136 rushing yards & 2 TD on 32 carries.
Defensively, Miami is allowing their opponents to average 30.0 ppg on 385.0 total yards per game (234.2 passing yds/g; 150.8 rushing yds/g).
The Wolfpack are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 conference games and 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall. The Hurricanes are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 home games and 0-4 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Miami has been one of the more disappointing teams in College Football this season and it’s hard to image them righting the ship without King or Harris available. NC State has been great on both ends of the field this season as they come into this game ranked 39th in scoring offense & 6th in scoring defense and as I think Devin Leary and the Wolfpack passing attack will have plenty of success against the Hurricanes 80th ranked passing defense, I think NC State wins this one by at least one TD and covers this spread. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick NC State Wolfpack -3.5
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
