The Belk Bowl features a Louisville team that has been a cover machine over the past two months of the season and they battle a tough NC State team on Dec. 27.

The Big East has covered 3 straight Belk Bowls but the over under (which was at 44.5) has been an interesting angle when Belk Bowl odds are posted each year (this was formerly the Meineke Car Care Bowl).

In each season, the over has alternated with the under every single year. If that odd pattern holds true, this year's Belk Bowl will play under the total. [ Belk Bowl odds preview and bonus offer ]


View Louisville vs North Carolina State Odds and Stats.

Betting Line: The WolfPack opened as 1.5-point favorites in this NCAA bowl battle but was quickly bet to -3 (see the latest line at Sportsbook). The total sat at 44.5 at Sportsbook earlier this week.





How They Match Up:
The game also pits North Carolina State's No. 58-ranked offense, averaging 28 PPG, against a Cardinals defense that ranks No. 14 this week at 19.2 PPG. The Wolfpack aerial game is averaging 238 yards per game, more than the Cardinals secondary allows through the air, 224.3 YPG per game.

Defensively, the Cardinals feature the league's No. 7-rated road run defense, allowing 93.7 yards per game. North Carolina State, meanwhile, ranks No. 81 in rushing offense at home.

Louisville was a 34-24 Sportsbook in their most recent outing on the road against South Florida. They covered the 4.5–point spread as underdogs, while the total score (58) made Sportsbooks of OVER bettors.

North Carolina State was a 56-41 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against Maryland. They covered the 11.5–point spread as favorites, while the total score (97) made Sportsbooks of OVER bettors.


Louisville Cardinals Trends:
When playing in December are 6-4
When playing on grass are 3-7
After outgaining opponent are 4-6
When an underdog on the road are 5-5

North Carolina State Wolfpack Trends:
When playing in December are 4-3
When playing on grass are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 6-4
When favored at home are 8-2

A few Cardinals at Wolfpack trends to consider:
Louisville is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Louisville's last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of North Carolina State's last 6 games
North Carolina State is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games