The No. 13 NC State Wolfpack (5-1, 1-1 ACC) and the No. 18 Syracuse Orange (5-0, 2-0) meet in a conference game at JMA Wireless Dome. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET (ACC Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the NC State vs. Syracuse odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Wolfpack won 19-17 last week against Florida State in Raleigh, but the game came with a huge price tag. QB Devin Leary, voted the ACC Preseason Player of the Year, suffered a right shoulder injury, and he is out indefinitely.
The Orange have one of the more unheralded tailbacks in the nation as RB Sean Tucker has 544 yards with 5 TD while averaging 4.9 yards per attempt.
The Orange has covered in 4 of the past 5 games overall, while going 8-2 ATS in the past 10 games at home, too.
NC State is No. 13 and Syracuse is No. 18 in the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
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NC State at Syracuse odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): NC State +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Syracuse -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): NC State +2.5 (+105) | Syracuse -2.5 (-130)
- Over/Under (O/U): 42.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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NC State at Syracuse picks and predictions
Prediction
Syracuse 23, NC State 16
Moneyline
SYRACUSE (-160) isn’t a bad play if you just want to pick a winner and not bother with the points. The Orange being favored might be somewhat surprising to some, but NC State (+135) is more than likely to be without Leary, and the Wolfpack struggled on offense once he departed last weekend.
Against the spread
SYRACUSE -2.5 (-130) is worth a look, as it should win by at least a field goal. The Orange have been giving their long-suffering fans some good football this season, and a win will secure bowl eligibility before the leaves have even reached peak foliage in upstate New York.
Over/Under
UNDER 42.5 (-108) is a rather risky play, as the number is quite low, but it is the best wager here.
The Wolfpack turned to an almost full ground-based attack once Leary went down last week. While NC State has been grooming other QBs in practice this weekend, and we should see a more balanced attack, none is of the caliber of Leary. So the offense should struggle.
And when the Orange has the ball, look for a lot of ground-and-pound with Tucker. Running keeps the clock rolling, and for that, Under bettors are thankful.
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