NC State at Pittsburgh

It was around this point last season when Pittsburgh went into a tailspin, losing its final six games. Maybe that doesn't happen to the Panthers this season. But it's still a sell-high time to fade Pittsburgh here, taking this many points with North Carolina State. The 4-3 Wolfpack were idle last week after losing on the road to Notre Dame, 36-7. North Carolina State has bowl aspirations, so this is an important game, and they have had ample time to prepare. Pittsburgh has an outstanding run defense, but has yet to encounter a running back as good as North Carolina State's Hollywood Smothers, who leads the ACC in rushing by nearly 200 yards, with 739 yards on 112 attempts for a 6.6-yard average. Smothers has put up these numbers despite having a bye last week and being held in check by Notre Dame. If the Panthers key on Smothers, Wolfpack veteran quarterback CJ Bailey is good enough to take advantage. Pittsburgh has a freshman quarterback, Mason Heintschel, playing behind a retooled offensive line, which ranks 110th in rushing and has committed 11 turnovers. Take North Carolina State.