NC State opens as 7-point favorite against Louisville

NC State is back in the friendly confines this week in need of a bounce-back performance to get this season back on track. The Wolfpack can ill-afford another setback, what with Wake Forest still undefeated in ACC play and yet another two-game road trip looming after Louisville.

State opened as a seven-point favorite over the Cardinals, though I’d be surprised if this game proves easy. Louisville comes in at 4-3 (2-2) and fresh off a 28-14 win over Boston College.

That type of score has been a rarity for the Cards, because their defense is not so good. Louisville has been one of the more imbalanced teams in the league, with an offense that can be as good as anybody and a defense that can really stink up the joint.

Louisville is averaging 6.7 yards per play in ACC contests and is a handful of points from being 4-0, but the Cards came up three points short at Wake and one point short at home against UVA. The defense gave up a combined 71 points over those two games.

A chaotic team to be sure.