NC State opens as 14.5-point underdog to North Carolina

NC State has a shot at a sweep of the Big Four against the Tar Heels this week, though the challenge grew steeper when Devin Leary suffered a broken leg over the weekend. UNC opened as a 14.5-point favorite against State, and the money has been coming in on the Heels anyway, pushing that line to 16.5 in places.

Carolina’s offense has been outstanding this season, and ranks among the top 10 nationally in SP+, yards per game, and yards per play. The Tar Heels have yet to be held under 6.0 yards per play in a game this year and they are averaging 7.4 per play overall. In their 56-point performance against Virginia Tech, they averaged just shy of 10 YPP.

Their balance is impressive, with Sam Howell averaging 9.7 yards per pass attempt while the ground game is accounting for almost 230 yards per game on 5.7 per carry. They create a whole lot of problems.

An NC State offense led by Leary at least had a chance of keeping pace on the scoreboard, but now, I dunno, man.