NC State vs Maryland Prediction : Mayo Bowl Pick and Best Odds
NC State vs Maryland Betting Preview: Mayo Bowl Prediction
This NC State vs Maryland showdown in the Mayo Bowl will probably stay under national radar, but don’t tell that to either coaching staff.
These former ACC rivals often compete for the same mid-Atlantic recruiting base, and a bowl game in Charlotte presents a fantastic opportunity for one team to gain the upper-hand on the other.
The college football handicapping team from The GoldSheet shares their thoughts on this Mayo Bowl matchup.
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NC State vs Maryland Prediction: What Are the Betting Odds on the Mayo Bowl?
| Friday, December 30 | Mayo Bowl Prediction Betting Notes |
|---|---|
| Point Spread: | NC State Wolfpack -1 vs Maryland Terrapins |
| Total: | o/u 46 Points |
| Location: | Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Game Time: | 12:00pm ET / 9:00am PT (Odds Above Courtesy of DraftKings) |
| TV: | ESPN |
NC State vs Maryland Prediction & Betting Analysis : Slather on The Mayo Bowl!
After a rough second half of the regular season, Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa is expected to get the nod for the Terps, but he will have a brand-new receiving corps to throw to. All three starting receivers – Rakim Jarrett, Jacob Copeland and Dontay Demus Jr. – have opted out.
Starting tight end CJ Dippre has transferred to Alabama.
Maryland has been plagued with the same issue almost every season since joining the Big Ten: They can hang with most of the mid-tier teams, but routinely get thrashed by Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State.
That often makes them a difficult team to judge because their stats can get so skewed in those contests. Maryland was out-scored 30-0 and out-gained 413-134 by the Nittany Lions on November 12.
On the other side, NC State head coach Dave Doeren is keeping his plans at quarterback close to the vest. Three-year starter Devin Leary has been out since October. Backup M.J. Morris missed the last two games of the regular season, forcing fourth-string Ben Finley into the mix at the end of the year.
Doeren was hopeful that Morris would be back in time for Friday’s game, but practice reports suggest that his status is still in doubt, and Finley may get the nod once again. That trickifies the olde Mayo Bowl prediction!
Starting receiver Devin Carter and center Grant Gibson are both out. Former offensive coordinator Tim Beck has left the Wolfpack to take Coastal Carolina’s head coaching job, meaning NC State will have a new play caller for this one.
Mayo Bowl Prediction: NC State vs Maryland = Offensive Troubles
There are plenty of questions on the offensive side of the ball for both teams, but far fewer on the defensive side. Early reports suggest that there are very few personnel issues on NC State’s defense.
The Wolfpack’s rushing defense allowed 3.6 yards per carry this season, and with Tagovailoa missing his entire starting receiving corps, a run-heavy attack would play right into NC State’s strength.
So, our Mayo Bowl prediction, beyond just the betting picks is… expect an intense atmosphere between two teams that want to win this game. We’re just not sure they have the offensive pieces to make it an entertaining affair.
Three of Maryland’s last four games stayed comfortably under this total. Five of NC State’s last seven games stayed under this total, and one that went over was because of overtime (only 40 in regulation).
NC State vs Maryland Prediction – Mayo Bowl Betting Pick:
The betting pick is an over/under based purely on offensive inadequacies!
With all of the questions on offense for both teams, this game looks poised to stay under the total of 46. Take the under!
Mayo Bowl Video Preview
WagerTalk’s team of college football handicappers broke down Friday’s Mayo Bowl from a variety of handicapping angles. Join us Tuesday through Friday at 3pm ET / 12pm PT for the Happy Hour CFB Kickoff Show as we discuss the marquee college football games on the upcoming slate.
College Football Odds Screen
WagerTalk’s Live Odds Screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books.
Track the college football point spreads, totals and betting percentages for all of this month’s college football bowl games, including this NC State vs Maryland showdown in Charlotte, from your desktop or phone.
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