Two of the nation’s top scoring defenses are set to face off at JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday, as the No. 18 Syracuse University Orange (5-0, 2-0 ACC) welcome the No. 15 North Carolina State University Wolfpack (5-1, 1-1 ACC). The Orange are 3.5-point favorites, and the total is 41.5.North Carolina State is coming off a close 19-17 win over Florida State at Carter-Finley Stadium last Saturday. Devin Leary was 10 of 21 for 130 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Jordan Houston ran 24 times for 90 yards. He added two receptions for 41 yards. Syracuse won for the fifth straight game on October 1, beating Wagner 59-0 at JMA Wireless Dome. Garrett Shrader threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns. Sean Tucker carried 23 times for 232 yards and three touchdowns. Oronde Gadsden II caught four receptions for 66 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Wolfpack won the only game between the teams last season, a 41-17 victory in November, their third straight win against Syracuse. Devin Leary threw two touchdowns for North Carolina State.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Wolfpack are averaging 30.5 points per game for the season, 67th in FBS, and they are facing an Orange defense that has surrendered 14.0 PPG (9th). Meanwhile, Syracuse has scored 38.4 points a game this season, 23rd in the country, and North Carolina State is allowing 15.7 PPG (15th).The Wolfpack rank 80th in the nation in passing yards per game (230.7) and 85th in rushing (141.0). They will face a tough test, as the Orange are 18th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (176.6) and 16th against the run (95.0).Syracuse is 59th in the nation in passing yards per game (251.2) and 35th in rushing (190.4), while the Wolfpack are allowing 186.0 passing yards (21st) and 111.8 rushing yards per game (28th).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through six games, Devin Leary has thrown for 11 touchdowns (4 INT) and 210.8 yards per game to lead North Carolina State in passing. In two away games this season, he has two TDs (2 INT) and an average of 228.0 yards passing. Demie Sumo-Karngbaye leads the team in rushing with an average of 49.8 yards a game over six games. He has three touchdowns on the ground. Thayer Thomas is the Wolfpack’s leading receiver with 60.2 yards a game and two TDs. Garrett Shrader has 10 passing touchdowns (1 INT) with 244.8 yards per game through five games to lead Syracuse. In four home games this season, he has thrown for seven TDs (1 INT) and an average of 233.0 yards. Sean Tucker has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 109.2 yards a game through five games. He also has been valuable as a receiver, racking up 36.8 yards a game through the air. He has six total touchdowns, five rushing and one receiving. Oronde Gadsden II has been a key target in the Orange’s passing game. He has three touchdowns and a 73.2 yard per game average through five appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
NC State (+135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
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