NC State vs. Mississippi State 2015 Belk Bowl Betting Preview

NC State vs. Mississippi State 2015 Belk Bowl Betting Preview

Written by on December 28, 2015

When the 2015 Belk Bowl gets underway on Wednesday, December 30 at 3:30 PM ET, live from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, the North Carolina State Wolfpack and Mississippi State Bulldogs will square off in a online college football odds contest that is arguably the most evenly matched paring of any bowl game on the 2015 docket. With both teams sporting nearly identical offensive and defensive statistical numbers, let’s find out which one of these teams is going to bring home the bacon!

NC State vs. Mississippi State 2015 Belk Bowl Online Odds Preview

When: 3:30 PM ET, Wednesday, December 30, 2015 Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina TV: ESPN Line: Mississippi State -5.5 O/U: 60 North Carolina State is a 5.5-point underdog to beat Mississippi State after opening as a 7-point dog. The game’s Over/Under Total sits at 62 after opening at 59. The Wolfpack are a +205 pick against the Moneyline while Mississippi State sits at -245.

Why Bet The North Carolina State Wolfpack Odds at +5.5

N.C. State was wildly inconsistent in alternating U wins and losses over their last seven games and comes into this contest off a 45-34 loss against North Carolina in their regular season finale. The good news for the Wolfpack however is that they’re playing this bowl game contest pretty much in their own backyard. N.C. State quarterback Jacoby Brisett led the Wolfpack offense by completing 61.3 percent of his passes for 2,448 yards with 19 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Running back Matt Dayes added a team-high 865 rushing yards, but the Wolfpack’s leading receiver, TE/FB Jaylen Samuels led the team with just 599 receiving yards. N.C. State averages 33.7 points per game (38th) while limiting their opponents to just 23.8 points per game defensively (43rd).

Why Bet The Mississippi Bulldogs Odds at -5.5

Mississippi State is led by superstar quarterback Dak Prescott and the strong-armed dual-threat signal-caller did not disappoint as he completed an impressive 66.9 percent of his passes for 3,413 yards with 25 touchdowns and four interceptions. Prescott added 541 yards and 10 scores as a runner. Wide receivers Fred Ross (81 catches, 933 yards, 4 TDs) and De’Runnya Wilson (55 catches, 822 yards, 9 TDs) are both outstanding, if underrated, players, but the Dogs will need to cut the turnovers out after giving up the ball nine times over its final four games. Mississippi State averages 33.0 points per game (42nd) while limiting their opponents to just 22.8 points per game defensively (35th).

Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction

I’m not surprised that N.C. State is an underdog in this contest, but I am a bit perplexed as to why North Carolina State is a touchdown dog when the line should be more like three points. These two teams are separated by jus 0.7 points offensively and defensively and for me, that fact makes N.C, State the easy pick to cover the spread at the very least. Mississippi State is just 2-5 ATS in their last seven neutral site games and a winless 0-4 ATS in their last four games against ACC teams. Conversely, N.C. State is a perfect 7-0 ATS in their last seven non-conference games and 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven bowl games. The Wolfpack are also 6-2-1 ATS in their last nine neutral site games and 5-2 ATS in their last seven games following an SU loss. N.C. State cover the spread in a flat-out thriller! My final score prediction: Mississippi State 31 N.C. State 28