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Sportsbook.com is expecting a high-scoring affair in the Florida State vs. NC State College Football game Thursday night. They’ve posted on -3.5 point spread on the Seminoles, making them road favorites. Some important betting tips for this ACC football game are also provided below.
Both teams should be well-rested as they both had their bye last week. FSU has won five straight games, but is coming off a close 24-19 win over Boston College despite being favored by 22.5. NC State lost 33-27 in overtime at East Carolina the last time it took the field, as QB Russell Wilson threw three interceptions.
Last year’s meeting was a back-and-forth shootout as FSU outlasted NC State 45-42 in a game that featured 1,093 total yards of offense. Wilson threw for 349 yards and 5 TD in that contest while Seminoles RB Jermaine Thomas rushed for a career-high 186 yards with two touchdowns in last year’s win over NC State.
Thomas has been bothered by a sprained toe that limited him to five carries last week, but he has been a beast in ACC play with a 7.1 YPC average and four scores in four conference games. FSU QB Christian Ponder, who has 531 passing yards in two career games against NC State, has a mere 8 TD and 6 INT in his past six games this season. He has been bothered by a swollen right elbow in the past two weeks, but he will start Thursday night.
In spite of Ponder’s sub-par play, the Seminoles have been winning due to their great defense. They lead the nation with 4.3 sacks per game and rank 13th in scoring defense (16.1 PPG), having allowed 20 points only once this year, (47-17 at Oklahoma) which stands as their only loss. FSU is also 20th in total defense (308 YPG) and 17th in stopping the run (105 YPG) among FBS schools.
Despite eight interceptions in his past three games, Wilson ranks fourth in the nation in total offense (332 YPG) with five straight 300-yard passing games. Senior WR Owen Spencer is a big reason Wilson and NC State has such a potent passing attack. Spencer has caught at least six passes in his past four games. The defense has been above-average this year, but was not good against ECU, allowing 496 yards. The total would have been much more had the Pirates not turned the ball over four times.
And now for those all important betting tips:
FSU vs. NC State point spreadbettors should be aware of this extremely one-sided betting trend before submitting their bets tonight:
NC State is 8-0-1 against the point spread in the past nine meetings with Florida State, but only 4-5 SU including three straight losses.
Here are a few more trends that indicate that NC State plus the points is a wise wager:
Play On - Home underdogs of 3.5 to 10 points (NC STATE) - after 2 consecutive games where they forced 3 or more turnovers against opponent after a game with a turnover margin of -2 or worse. (24-4 since 1992.) (85.7%, +19.6 units. Rating = 3*).
Play On - Underdogs of 3.5 to 10 points (NC STATE) - after 1 or more consecutive straight up losses against opponent after 4 or more consecutive straight up wins. (84-35 over the last 10 seasons.) (70.6%, +45.5 units. Rating = 3*).
FLORIDA ST is 6-20 ATS (23.1%, -16.0 Units) in road games after playing 3 straight conference games since 1992.
The average score was FLORIDA ST 23.6, OPPONENT 24.7 - (Rating = 2*).
The early bettors at Sportsbook.com don’t seem to care as 74 percent of the point spread cash is on the Seminoles.
For more college football betting trends and to check out the betting odds for all of the games on this weekend’s college football betting board, head over to Sportsbook.com now.
