Previewing the Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Maryland vs. NC State
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This is the preview for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl:
Maryland vs. NC State (-1, 46.5)
Date: Friday, December 30, 12:00 p.m. ET
Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, NC)
Betting splits: 58% of handle, 46% of bets on NC State -1
This game has no shortage of opt-outs, and both sides will be losing key pieces. Maryland will be without a plethora of receivers, consisting of Rakim Jarrett, Dontay Demus, Jacob Copeland and tight end CJ Dippre. The Terps will still have Quarterback Talia Tagovailoa and its leading receiver in Jeshaun Jones, but will that be enough against this stout Wolfpack defense?
NC State allows just 325.7 yards (21st), 19.4 points (T-12th) and 103 rushing yards per game (11th). The Wolfpack has allowed more than 130 rushing yards in a game just four times, and that is significant because the Terps are 7-0 when eclipsing 130 yards on the ground and 0-5 when they fail to. Furthermore, NC State has also been strong, defensively, on third down conversion rate, allowing opponents to succeed on just 31% of attempts (15th).
As for NC State’s offense, well, they are dealing with some departures as well. Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck has left to become the new head coach at Coastal Carolina, and QB Devin Leary has transferred to Kentucky. And, as of this moment, the Wolfpack’s coaching staff has yet to name a starter for the upcoming bowl game. Backups MJ Morris and Ben Finley are who the decision will come down to. Morris has seen more snaps this year, however, Finley came in and delivered some heroics in their final game of the season, in double overtime, as NC State overcame North Carolina. Finley completed 27 of 40 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns.
The betting market hasn’t shifted all that much in this game as the Wolfpack opened as one-and-a-half point favorites, and are now laying one, and the total has slightly bumped from 46 to 46.5. — Danny Burke
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