NC State Wolfpack vs. Vanderbilt Commodores – Camping World Independence Bowl Predictions, Odds, Picks and NCAA Football Betting Preview – December 26, 2016

NC State Wolfpack vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Betting Preview

Where: Independence Stadium, Shreveport

When: Monday, December 26, 5:00 PM ET

Line: NC State Wolfpack (-4) vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (+4); total: 43.5 – view all NCAA Football odds and lines

Betting on the NC State Wolfpack (-4)

If it weren’t for an upset win in Chapel Hills at season’s end, the Wolfpack likely are going couch-ing and not bowling this December. Defeating North Carolina on the road, 28-21, was key for an appearance by the Wolfpack in Shreveport, where they will be squaring off with Vanderbilt.

It would’ve been a downer for football fans, who love defense if NC State was declared bowl-eligible.  NC State has a bloodthirsty defense that is particularly unforgiving against the rush. The Wolfpack are fifth nationally in run defense with only 104.7 rushing yards allowed per game. That sounds like trouble for the Commodores, who have called for rushing plays 54.6 percent of the time this season.

On the other side of the ball, NC State will be focusing on taking advantage of Vanderbilt’s pass defense, which surrenders 254.4 passing yards per game. Quarterback Ryan Finley, who has 2,820 passing yards and 15 touchdowns on the season, will get help from an excellent receiving corps that features five wideouts with at least 400 receiving yards on the year.

NC State is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games.

Betting on the Vanderbilt Commodores (+4)

Kyle Shurmur’s confidence is on a high and the Commodores will be riding on his hot hand this Monday against NC State.

Shurmur has been playing great of late, passing for a total of 689 yards and four touchdowns with only one interception in the last two games, which includes the upset 45-43 victory over No. 17 Tennessee on November 26. Shurmur’s passed for 416 yards (21/34) and two touchdowns in that game. Apart from Shurmur tossing the ball around with fantastic results, Vandy also got 192 rushing yards from its backfield.

The Wolfpack’s defense won’t be easy to crack but Shurmur appears to have found his rhythm just in time for the bowl season. Shurmur, however, isn’t the best offensive player this season for Vanderbilt. That’s running back Ralph Webb, who finished the regular season fourth in the SEC in both rushing yards (1,172) and rushing touchdowns (12). Still, how well Shurmur plays will influence a lot the Commodores’ attack.

As for the defense, linebacker Zach Cunningham will lead Vanderbilt’s stop unit that holds opponents to an average of 410.9 total yards per game. Cunningham has been everywhere on defense this season, tallying 119 tackles to go with 16.5 tackles for a loss.

Vanderbilt is 3-1 ATS in its last four games.

Writer’s Prediction

Vanderbilt (+4) wins, 25-23.

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