The Maryland Terrapins (7-5) and NC State Wolfpack (8-4) meet in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl Friday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Maryland vs. NC State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
These former ACC rivals have a long and rich history. The all-time series is tied 33-33-4, with Maryland winning the most recent game on Nov. 30, 2013, in Raleigh. This is the 1st-ever meeting in the series for a bowl.
Maryland will be down 3 receivers. WRs Jacob Copeland (26-376-2), Dontay Demus Jr. (22-233-1) and Rakim Jarrett (40-471-3) all elected to opt out. Jarrett is the biggest loss, as he was tied for the team lead in receptions and just 7 yards shy of leading the team in receiving yards.
The big news for NC State is that QB Devin Leary, the ACC Preseason Player of the Year, entered the transfer portal. However, the Wolfpack have mostly adjusted to life without Leary already as he has been sidelined since early Oct. due to injury.
Maryland won its regular-season finale 37-0 against Rutgers to snap a 3-game losing skid that came against 3 bowl teams. UMD has also covered the past 2 games after an 0-5 ATS skid.
NC State dumped rival North Carolina 30-27 in overtime to record a road win in its regular-season finale. The Wolfpack needed that, as they entered with back-to-back losses against Louisville and a non-bowl team, Boston College.
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Maryland vs. NC State odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 12:20 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Maryland -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | NC State -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Maryland +1 (-109) | NC State -1 (-111)
- Over/Under (O/U): 45.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
Maryland vs. NC State picks and predictions
Prediction
NC State 23, Maryland 20
Moneyline
NC STATE (-115) is a solid play on the moneyline, as the group suiting up Friday afternoon is basically the same unit that ended the season on a high note.
Maryland was gutted in the receiver’s room and will have to transfer its offense a little bit. QB Taulia Tagovailoa will still try and sling it, but after WRs Jeshaun Jones (40-478-4) and Corey Dyches (35-449-3), there is a precipitous drop-off in experience.
NC State ranks 11th nationally against the run (102.8 yards allowed per game), so Maryland will find the sledding awfully tough as it tries to adjust. The Pack allow just 325.7 total yards (21st) and 19.4 points per game (15th), so advantage NC State.
Against the spread
NC STATE -1 (-111) is slightly cheaper than the ML, and the only difference would be that an ML bet would be a win and a spread bet would be a push if NC State should win by 1 point.
The Terrapins are 6-1 ATS in the past 7 non-conference games and 4-1 ATS in the past 5 vs. ACC. However, the Terps covered just 2 of the final 7 games overall, and Maryland is just 16-35 ATS in the past 51 tries vs. winning teams.
The Wolfpack are 2-7 ATS in the past 9 games overall, and they just haven’t been able to stack wins or covers. NC State is just 1-4 ATS in the past 5 following a cover, and 1-4 ATS in the past 5 following a SU win.
It’s also 8-3-1 ATS across its past 12 games and is back bowling after losing out on a chance last year at the Holiday Bowl when UCLA pulled out at the last minute due to a COVID issue.
Over/Under
UNDER 45.5 (-112) is the lean here, although it is only worth a half-unit play at best.
NC State’s defense is nasty, and Maryland should struggle to put up points with 3 receivers opting out.
The Wolfpack have some questions at quarterback, too, as QB MJ Morris is nursing an undisclosed injury. QB Ben Finley proved he can be useful if needed, and QB Jack Chambers has plenty of experience, too.
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