NCAA Football Picks- South Carolina at NC State

The South Carolina Gamecocks (7-6 SU, 4-4, Conf., 5-6-1 ATS, 5-6 O/U) and the North Carolina State Wolfpack (6-7 SU, 4-4 Conf., 9-2-1 ATS, 6-6 O/U) will both be looking to get their 2009 NCAA college football seasons off to a good start when they battle on the gridiron at Carter-Finley Stadium tonight at 7 PM ET.

The last time these two teams met, back on Aug. 8, last season, South Carolina rolled to an emphatic 34-0 rout over the Wolfpack.

However, NC State has a very gifted quarterback in sophomore Russell Wilson, not to mention home-field advantage.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NCAAF Free Pick.

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.

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.

Wolfpack are 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games as a favorite.

Over is 4-0 in Gamecocks last 4 games as a road underdog.

Over is 5-0-1 in Gamecocks last 6 road games.

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.

Under is 8-3-2 in Wolfpack last 13 non-conference games.

NCAAF Odds

South Carolina +5 -110

NC State -5 -110

Over 46 -110

Under 46 -110

Analysis: South Carolina may have the big name coach in Steve Spurrier, but it is the North Carolina State Wolfpack that has the better team and starting quarterback.

Russell Wilson threw 17 touchdown passes last season and amazingly, just one interception despite standing a shade under six-feet tall.

South Carolina lost a lot on defense and has a young starting quarterback that needs to improve in a hurry in order for the Gamecocks to have a shot at a Bowl Game.

Sophomore, Stephen Garcia will try to build on a freshman campaign in which he saw limited action, throwing six touchdowns and eight interceptions.

South Carolina averaged 20.8 points per game last season while allowing 21.1 points per contest. N.C. State put up an average of 23.5 points per game while also allowing more points per game than they averaged, allowing opponents to put up 26.3 points per game.

The big difference in these teams will likely come on the defensive side of the ball as the Wolfpack ranked 13th in total yards allowed per game (292.1) while the Gamecocks gave up an average of 329.9 yards per contest, ranking 86th in the nation.

The Gamecocks have also struggled to cover the spread in a big way recently, going a dismal 2-6 ATS in their last eight road games, 1-4 ATS in their last five games as a road underdog and a pitiful 0-4 ATS in their last four games as an underdog.

The Wolfpack, on the other hand, have gone a scorching 7-0-1 ATS in their last eight games overall and a perfect 4-0 ATS in their last four home games.

While BetOnline NCAA college football betting fans may want to be aware of the fact that the Wolfpack have gone a discouraging 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games as a favorite, I think this game is pretty much a wrap for the Wolfpack.

The Over has gone 4-0 in the Gamecocks’ last four games as a road underdog and 5-0-1 in South Carolina’s last six road games, but the Under has gone 10-2-1 in the Wolfpack’s last 13 games as a favorite and 8-3-2 in their last 13 non-conference games.

Take the Wolfpack to cover while the final score plays Under the set O/U total.

NCAAF Free Picks: NC State -5 Points/Under 46 Total Points