Clemson vs. North Carolina State Prediction, Odds and Spread for College Football Week 4

I’m starting to wonder if any team is any good in college football, relative to the past several years. Each team seems vulnerable at the top, and it’s driving betting value for us sports bettors. 

One team has looked particularly weak compared to preseason expectations, No. 9 Clemson. The Tigers dropped a Week 1 game to No. 2 Georgia, 10-3, which isn’t the end of the world, but only put up 14 points against Georgia Tech last week at home. 

Now they travel to Raleigh to face a veteran North Carolina State team that is going to be hungry to make a statement. How should we bet this ACC matchup?

Here are the odds, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook:

Clemson vs. North Carolina State Spread, Odds and Over/Under

Spread:

Clemson: -10 (-110)

North Carolina State: +10 (-110)

Moneyline: 

Clemson: -380

North Carolina State: +290

Total: 47 (Over -110/Under -110)

Clemson vs. North Carolina State Betting Trends

• Clemson is 25-23 against the spread as road favorites under Dabo Swinney
• Clemson is 52-61-1 to the UNDER in ACC play under Swinney
• NC State is 11-6 to the OVER as a home underdog under coach Dave Doeren 

Clemson vs. North Carolina State Prediction

North Carolina State is live to win this matchup outright. This is not your typical Clemson team, and the Wolfpack have a strong enough offense to put up enough points to get past a floundering Clemson O.

NC State Quarterback Devin Leary has looked strong coming back from a broken leg last season, completing two-thirds of his passes. The Wolfpack has one of the most explosive running backs in the country in Zonovan ‘Bam’ Knight. Knight is averaging more than eight yards-per-carry on 35 attempts this season while sharing duties with Ricky Person Jr, averaging more than five YPC himself.

Looking at the other side, this Clemson offense has no burst. The team has the eighth-lowest explosive play rate in the country. Yes, they played arguably the best defense in the country in Georgia, but they have also played South Carolina State and Georgia Tech and still can't light up the scoreboard.

The Tigers' offensive line has been suspect all season and D.J. Uiagalelei has not had time to throw. He’s been sacked 10 times in three games and is only averaging 5.6 yards per pass. 

This is an NC State team motivated to snap a nine-game losing streak to the Tigers, and this may be their best defense to do it. The team has shut down the run, allowing just 2.76 yards-per-carry, and are fantastic at getting off the field on third down, holding opponents to a stunning 20% third-down conversion clip.

This is the perfect storm for a Wolfpack upset, or at the very least cover. 19 starters are back on this roster and Leary is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country.

Clemson’s defense did keep Georgia’s offense out of the end zone in the Week 1 loss, but I see North Carolina State able to get in space and rip off a few big plays.

This game has a low total because both defenses have the edge, but I'm putting my faith in Leary, the running game, and the home crowd to keep this close and have a chance to win it late.

Clemson was stuck in the mud against Georgia Tech, and are not coming in with any sort of momentum. The Wolf Pack erased a deflating loss to Mississippi State that featured them allowing a kickoff return for a touchdown and a goal line turnover by beating FCS opponent Furman, 45-7.

Make sure to grab the +10 now, but I would also consider taking a stab at the moneyline for what is sure to be a crazy atmosphere.

Pick: North Carolina State +10, small play on NC State ML+290

Bet the Wolfpack to pull the upset with WynnBET Sportsbook!