NC State Football Win Total Over/Under Is 6.5: Goin' Over Or Under?

Via 5Dimes.com, here are the early ACC over/unders for wins:

BOSTON COLLEGE
Over 4.5 (+140)
Under 4.5 (-180)

CLEMSON
Over 10.5 (+165)
Under 10.5 (-215)

DUKE
Over 5.5 (+120)
Under 5.5 (-160)

FLORIDA STATE
Over 10.5 (+110)
Under 10.5 (-150)

GEORGIA TECH
Over 8.5 (-120)
Under 8.5 (-120)

MARYLAND
Over 6.5 (-140)
Under 6.5 (EVEN)

MIAMI
Over 9.5 (+150)
Under 9.5 (-190)

NC STATE
Over 6.5 (-185)
Under 6.5 (+145)

NORTH CAROLINA
Over 9.5 (+170)
Under 9.5 (-230)

PITTSBURGH
Over 5.5 (-110)
Under 5.5 (-130)

SYRACUSE
Over 4.5 (-120)
Under 4.5 (-120)

VIRGINIA
Over 4.5 (-120)
Under 4.5 (-120)

VIRGINIA TECH
Over 9.5 (+140)
Under 9.5 (-180)

WAKE FOREST
Over 5.5 (-170)
Under 5.5 (+130)

NC State's O/U is 6.5, which sounds about right given the favorable nature of the schedule. It's certainly possible for the Wolfpack to exceed that with some breaks, and some unexpectedly good play from the new quarterback, whoever that may be.

The Atlantic really is a mess beyond Florida State and Clemson; when I was filling out preseason picks for the mothership the other day, I must have sat staring at the screen for like two minutes trying to figure out who the hell I wanted to pencil in third. These early lines illustrate the jumble nicely: NCSU and Maryland at 6.5, Wake at 5.5, Syracuse and BC at 4.5. I think I ended up slotting the Orange third, but after taking another look at their schedule (Clemson, at NCSU, at GT to open league play) this was probably a mistake. In fact they could easily start 1-5. Dammit that was a dumb pick. I'm such a dumb jerk idiot.

FSU and Clemson probably won't have any trouble separating themselves, though since this is the ACC they'll probably have some bad losses here and there. They'll have the margin or error. I'd give Clemson the edge for the division simply because the Tigers host the Seminoles this year.

As for NC State, I think I just talked myself into the Wolfpack hitting the over and finishing third. Actually I just remembered we're gonna win 10 games this season. Had totally slipped my mind.

The Coastal is a race between the four of Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, UNC, and Miami, and the scheduling rotation is going to be a big factor, obviously. UNC goes on the road for two of the three games within the group, as does Virginia Tech. The Jackets and Hurricanes are both home for two out of three. Georgia Tech also got an extra bonus: the Jackets host VT on a Thursday night, and the Hokies will be playing on short rest.

Both VT and UNC dodged the Atlantic heavyweights, which helps a lot. Georgia Tech has a road game at Clemson and Miami goes to FSU, and they'll be road dogs in both cases.

To settle this matter, I have once more turned to science. Which is to say that I shrugged and decided on Georgia Tech. That means the Jackets will either win the division or be essentially eliminated from contention by October.