NC State Wolfpack vs West Virginia Mountaineers Point Spread Picks

NC State returns eight defensive starters, including five in the secondary, for 2019 and the experience shows as they've allowed six total points in two games. But the offense is in complete rebuilding mode with a new offensive coordinator, quarterback, new starting receivers and three new starters on the offensive line. This is their first road game and they face a West Virginia offense that has scored just 27 points in two contests. They scored seven points last week in a loss to Missouri with only 171 total yards. They have a new coach in Neal Brown who has had to rebuild the offensive line. West Virginia is 10-4 UNDER the total when following a loss of 20+ points, as well as 47-20 UNDER after allowing fewer than 170 yards passing in their previous game. All of which means look for more defense than offense. Play the UNDER.

The Big East is a very tough conference when it comes to defense. There are five Big East teams in the top 15 in the country, and at the head of that list sits West Virginia. The Mountaineers are allowing just 12.8 points per game, and less than 250 yards, so this is a pretty steep total. Many will view North Carolina State as an offensive team, but the defense has improved tremendously as the season has progressed and they come into this one ranked No. 31 on defense. The Mountaineers have faced off against seven Bowl teams this season, and not a single one of them topped the 20-point mark. They have also struggled against quality teams as the seven Bowl teams they have faced show them averaging just 20.5 ppg. The Wolfpack, as it saw its defense improve as the season progressed, became an UNDER team as five of their last six failed to reach the total. They also have a history vs. the Big East that shows five of the last seven to the UNDER. The Mountaineers are also 5-1 to the UNDER in their last six as a favorite.