NC State an early five-point underdog to Syracuse

NC State opened as a five-point road dog to Syracuse this week, per Vegas Insider. This is the fourth time in five conference games that State has been the underdog this season, but this line is much tighter than the other three were. (Put that on a recruiting postcard, baby!)

Syracuse is coming off a 16-6 loss to Deshaun Watson-less Clemson, and the Orange have lost five of six overall. They've been playing without starting quarterback Terrel Hunt for several weeks--he broke a leg in early October, which will prevent him from returning to the field until some time in November. Hunt is not much of a passer but is still second on the team in rushing yards.

Hunt's removal from the equation simplifies a few things for NC State's defense, and we'll take whatever we can get in that regard. I suspect the Pack's ability (or lack thereof) to contain the Syracuse ground game will be the difference between winning and losing.