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Louisville Cardinals vs. NC State Wolfpack Odds & Game Pick (2021)

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For the first time in what feels like a decade, the ACC is wide open with as many as eight teams within as many as eight teams still in contention to make the conference championship game. Two teams still very much in that race, the Cardinals and Wolfpack, will face off against one other in Raleigh Saturday as both look to take one step closer to winning the Atlantic.

Let’s take a closer look.

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Details

  • Opening Line: Wolfpack -7, O/U 59
  • Current Line: Wolfpack -6.5, O/U 57

Overview 

After a 5-1 start that saw them get as high as #18 in the rankings, everything came crashing back down to earth for the Wolfpack Saturday as they dropped a 30-31 loss at Miami to fall out of the top 25. In the defeat, quarterback Devin Leary again played well, throwing for 310 yards and two touchdowns. Still, the defense allowed four to the opposing QB, which was ultimately enough to secure the win.

For the Cardinals, a 1-point loss of their own two weeks ago was followed up by a win last week, a 28-14 victory over Boston College.  In addition to getting help from an improving defense, the rushing game for the Cardinals finally appears to be coming around as well.

In the defeat of Boston College, the Cardinals rushed for a season-best 331 yards, led by dual-threat quarterback Malik Cunningham who added 133 of those yards and added scored three times on the ground. However, through the air, Cunningham continues to struggle, throwing for just 107 yards and a touchdown to interception ratio of 0:2 in the win.

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Trends 

  • Cardinals 4-1 ATS in their L5 games
  • Wolfpack 6-2 ATS in their L8 as a home favorite

Bottom Line

While the Wolfpack defense might have let them down against the Hurricanes last week, that doesn’t mean this unit isn’t elite. Through seven games this season, the Wolfpack rank #10 in the nation in both rushing yards allowed (93.3) and points scored (16.7).

I expect them to get back on track Saturday against a one-dimensional Louisville offense that should key in on the only they can do well; rush.

Pick: Wolfpack -6.5

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Johnny is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Johnny, check out his archive and follow him @JohnnyCovers.