Play: N.C. State
Rating: 8*

The N.C. State Wolfpack have dropped five of their last six games following a disappointing 27-13 home loss to Miami-Florida last Saturday. The need a win here to become bowl eligible, and I think that fact plus the rivalry motivation will be enough for them to keep this a close game.

This is a huge game for the Tar Heels as well, but while they come in off a 41-7 victory over Citadel, note that they're 1-4 ATS in their last five games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game. North Carolina needs a victory here followed by a Virginia upset win at Virginia Tech in order to reach the ACC Championship game against Clemson. Virginia Tech is a 18.5-point favorite in that contest, so I don't know how realistic that scenario is, and the Tar Heels' players must surely feel the same way ...

N.C. State looked pretty poor in last week's loss, but I wouldn't read too much into that performance. We're getting plenty of points on the Wolfpack, and my advice is to take them.