The NC State Wolfpack open their FBS schedule at home against the Big East representative Cincinnati Bearcats. This will be the first ever bet on football tussle between these two programs.
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Cincinnati Bearcats vs. NC State Wolfpack
Game Date/Time: Thursday, September 16th, 7:30 ET
Game Location: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC
TV/Radio Broadcast: ESPN, XM

NCAA Football Odds: Cincinnati Bearcats (+2) -110 vs. NC State Wolfpack (-2) -110: Over/Under 54

Butch Jones secured his first victory as Bearcats head coach last week against FCS rep Indiana State. While it did manage to cover the 27-point closing spread, it wasn’t until the second half that the team was readily able to pull away.

In just two games played thus far, it certainly looks as if the absence of Brian Kelly on the Bearcat’s sideline has taken a toll; especially with the QB play.

Zach Collaros filled in admirably last season for the injured Tony Pike on a couple of occasions. However, after bolting the Bearcats out to a 14-0 lead in Silicon Valley against the Bulldogs back in Week 1, the junior signal caller’s confidence pretty much vanished after Fresno State adjusted to what they were doing. His lack of leadership will be tested mightily in tonight’s hostile environment.

Though he gained some much needed confidence against the Sycamores (11/17 for 130 yards and 2 TDs), he now has to go up against a Jon Tenuta schemed attack unit in tonight’s bet on football battle with the Wolfpack. That doesn’t bode well for him considering Cincinnati’s young O-Line is giving up an average of five sacks per game, and they’ve only partaken in two games to date. Collaros will be forced to use his legs more often than he’d like in this spot.

The Wolfpack benefitted from a huge injury to Central Florida RB Brynn Harvey last week. However, they had to deal with mobile QB Jeffrey Godfrey who rushed for 53 yards and two TDs on 10 attempts. While he terrorized NCST’s stop unit and made it look bad, I believe the defensive staff will have used his exploits as a learning experience in practice all week. In other words, the Wolfpack should be better prepared to deal with a scrambling QB tonight.

NCST quarterback Russell Wilson had a terrible outing vs. the Golden Knights completing just 10-of-30 passes for 105 yards and a score. That said, we’ve already seen what this experienced field general can do throughout his previous two years at the helm, and the Bearcats porous pass “D” might be exactly what he needs to get back on track.

Cincy allowed Fresno State QB Ryan Colburn to throw for 247 yards and four TDs in their Week 1 meeting. Needless to say, but Wilson should find his receiving corps readily open throughout the entirety of tonight’s game – look for him to take advantage.

NCAA Football Insider Tip: The ACC experienced one of the worst weeks ever in the history of the conference last week with VTECH falling at home to James Madison and GTECH falling in Lawrence to a KU squad that fell to a FCS opponent the week before.

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