The No. 11 Miami Hurricanes (5-1, 4-1 ACC) visit the N.C. State Wolfpack (4-2, 4-2 ACC) for some Friday night Atlantic Coast Conference action on ESPN. This will be the first contest since 2016 between the two schools.
The game kicks off at 7:30 P.M. Eastern at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh. Miami is a 10-point favorite in the Friday tilt, according to oddsmakers.
What to Know – Miami Hurricanes
Miami has bounced back with a pair of victories after suffering their lone loss of the season to No. 1 Clemson in Week 6. Following their off-week, the Hurricanes are expected to get starting tight end Brevin Jordan back for the game.
Graduate transfer D’Eriq King completed 70-percent (21-for-30) of his passes for 322 yards and one touchdown in the victory over Virginia. King has accounted for 13 total touchdowns (11 passing, two rushing) for the Hurricanes after transferring from Houston.
Three running backs carried the ball over ten times for Miami against the Cavaliers, with freshman Don Chaney Jr. carrying the ball 10 times for 43 yards and a score. Fellow freshman Jaylan Knighton added 37 yards on 12 carries against a tough Cavalier front seven.
Virginia’s defense had no answer for speedster Mike Harley who erupted for 10 catches for 170 yards and one score in the victory. Harley has now found the endzone in back-to-back games.
Miami’s defense is surrendering 391.2 yards and allowing just 22.2 points per game this season. The Hurricane’s allowed just 14 points to the Cavaliers, who average 27 points per game.
What to Know – N.C. State Wolfpack
The Wolfpack also had an off-week this past weekend and is coming off a 27-point drubbing to in-state rival North Carolina. Before the loss, the Wolfpack ran off three-straight victories that included back-to-back road wins.
Bailey Hockman was named the starter, but expect to see freshman Ben Finley under center for the Wolfpack, too. Hockman completed 14-of-24 passes for 215 yards, one touchdown, and one interception against the Tar Heels, while Finley went 13-for-20 for 143, one touchdown, and two picks.
Zonovan Knight carried the ball nine times for 41 yards to pace a Wolfpack rushing attack that only finished with 34 yards on the ground. One of Hockman’s four rushing attempts found the endzone.
N.C. State quarterbacks did complete 27 passes against North Carolina, and leading the way on the receiving end were Emeka Emezie (four catches, 84 yards, one touchdown) and Anthony Smith (four catches, 63 yards, one touchdown).
The Wolfpack have struggled defensively in 2020 and are in the bottom half of the FBS in yards allowed (447.5) and points allowed (34.2) per game. However, in their last three games, the defense has held opponents to just under 21 points per game.
The Pick is In
N.C. State will continue to lean on a passing game that is ranked No. 4 in the conference, against Miami’s defense, which has been better against the run. Miami should have success moving the ball against a shaky Wolfpack defense that allows 182.0 yards per game on the ground.
Five of N.C. State’s six games have gone over this season but expect this one to be a low-scoring game and the Wolfpack to keep it close.
The Pick: N.C. State +10
