In this fourth edition of Wolfpack Wager, we’ll be looking at some intriguing matchups from the east and all the way out to the west coast, including how to bet NC State after a poor showing last week.

Ball State at NC State (-19)

There really are not many positive takeaways from the West Virginia game last week for the Wolfpack. The offense could not move the ball into Mountaineer territory, and defensive coordinator Dave Huxtable looked like he had prepped the defense to play against an entirely different West Virginia offense. The West Virginia game was a total failure on all fronts for NC State, which is why I love the Pack in this matchup.

NC State has gone through some gut-wrenching losses during the Dave Doeren era, but one thing that Doeren does extremely well is getting his team up to play no matter the result of the previous week’s game. Ball State is not a good football team; while being better than ECU and Western Carolina, their two losses to Indiana and Florida Atlantic speak for themselves. It is not a stretch to think that with the gap in talent between the two squads, the Wolfpack will win this game by more than three touchdowns.

On top of all of this, co-offensive coordinator Des Kitchings is most likely going to open the playbook up more this week. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Matthew McKay looked extremely uncomfortable in the pocket against West Virginia. Do not be surprised if the Wolfpack coaching staff allows McKay to air the ball out more against the Cardinals in order to build up his confidence. Combine this with the football gods graciously giving the Wolfpack faithful a night game, which will keep fans in their seats, and you can comfortably take NC State in this one.

Pick: NC State (-19)

Western Michigan at Syracuse (Total: 65.5)

This is a game that is really flying under the radar for this week. While there are some flashier games to gamble on, this matchup between the Orange and the Broncos can be considered a safer game to bet on than other matchups. 

Syracuse came into this season with some pretty lofty expectations — expectations they have not even come close to living up to at this point in the season. The Orange lost star quarterback Eric Dungey coming into the year, but the media (especially AP poll voters) loved the amount of returning starters and consistency with the coaching staff. 

Unfortunately for Syracuse, Dungey’s departure made more of an impact than people figured it would. The Orange are currently on a two-game losing streak with blowout losses to Maryland and Clemson. More than anything, the offense has failed Syracuse, with their best offensive performance coming against a Liberty team that only allowed 24 points. 

One positive takeaway from the loss to Clemson, however, is that the Syracuse defense showed flashes of competency and really did do a good job limiting Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the rest of the defending national champions offensively. Syracuse is due for a bounce-back game, and while the offense may still struggle, the defense for the Orange should do enough to limit a very mediocre Western Michigan team. 

Syracuse may not cover, but this game will not be an offensive shootout. Take the under in this one.

Pick: Under (65.5)

No. 10 Utah (-4) at USC

I will never understand the media and casual sports fans’ never-ending love affair with the University of Southern California. The Pete Caroll era ended over a decade ago, but not many people have seemed to figure this out. This program continually disappoints on the football field and especially in Vegas.

This is by far the easiest pick of the week, USC is starting freshman quarterback Kedon Slovis, who threw three interceptions in a loss against BYU last week. No. 10 Utah has not had a real test yet, but should not have a problem with the struggling Trojans. Roll with the Utes this week.

Pick: Utah (-4)

Last week, Technician Assistant Sports Editor Jake Caccavaro went 0 for 3 after NC State and Southern California both lost, and the Wake Forest vs. UNC-Chapel Hill game didn’t come anywhere close to 66 points.

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