College Football Pick – Who will win in the battle of the Carolinas

College Football Line: North Carolina State (-4 ½) vs. South Carolina (+4 ½) – O/U (47)

On Thursday night the North Carolina State Wolfpack will have a tough test in their season opener as they face Steve Spurrier and the South Carolina Gamecocks at 7 pm ET from Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina. This is a rematch of last years season opener that saw the Gamecocks throttle NC State 34-zip, so needless to say, the Wolfpack will be out for blood tonight.

This game also marks the return of Erin Andrews to the sidelines.

Last year’s contest must have left a terrible taste in the mouths of every returning player, coach and fan so there is no doubt that this game has been circled on the calendar for some time. North Carolina State will be looking for redemption for, not only their own pride, but also for the ACC.

Their conference has really taken it on the chin from the SEC on the field and in the media over the last few years. Many perceive the SEC to be a far superior conference in college football and the Wolfpack will no doubt love to prove on the field that the ACC has some talent and they can play with the big boys.

Speaking of the big boys, Spurrier’s squad has been in the middle of the pack in the rough and tumble SEC and will no doubt be using this one to gear up for their tough conference schedule. The old ball coach has yet to find the same success as he did at Florida where he won SEC titles and a national championship during his 12 tenure with the Gators. Last year the Gamecocks managed only a 7-6 season, and for Spurrier, a very important year starts tonight.

Trends to know before making your pick:

South Carolina

• Gamecocks are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games.
• Gamecocks are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games.
• Gamecocks are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog.
• Gamecocks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games as an underdog.

NC State

• Wolfpack are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games on grass.
• Wolfpack are 7-0-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
• Wolfpack are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games.

Over/Under.

• Under is 6-1 in Gamecocks last 7 non-conference games.
• Under is 5-1-1 in Gamecocks last 7 games in September.
• Under is 10-2-1 in Wolfpack last 13 games as a favorite.
• Under is 8-2-1 in Wolfpack last 11 games as a home favorite.

NC State comes into this season with some momentum as they won their last four regular-season games and earned a bowl game bid. Sophomore quarterback Russell Wilson will have another year of experience after being outstanding under center in his first year. He became the first freshman in the 57-year history of the conference to capture All-ACC first-team QB honors.

Where the Wolfpack will have to improve if they hope to return to a bowl in 2009 is defense; they gave up an ACC-worst 390.9 yards and 26.3 points per game last season. But with so much emotion going into this one and 50,000 fans going bananas, this just feels like the Wolfpack’s night.

Winning College Football Pick: NC State (-4 ½)