2011 Belk Bowl Overview

December 23, 2011

The two teams in the 2011 Belk Bowl this year did not have far to go. The contest is taking place in Charlotte, N.C. and will feature an in-state team in North Carolina State, representing the ACC, taking on Big East co-champ Louisville, from neighboring Kentucky.

This will be the first game played between the two teams dating back to 1994, when Louisville notched a 35-14 victory at home.

Our Belk Bowl odds show North Carolina State as a 2.5-point chalk, while the total has been placed at 44.5 points.

Louisville

The Cardinals won their last three contests and five of their last six to finish as a three-way conference co-champion (5-2) with Cincinnati and West Virginia. Recently, the Cardinals notched consecutive road wins at UConn (34-20) and South Florida (34-24) to post a 4-2 record as a visitor, including a current three-game win streak in such contests.

Louisville ranks a stellar 14th in the country in points given up (19 points per game), surrendering 328 yards per contest (224 passing, 104 rushing) while compiling 32 sacks and forcing 18 turnovers with three taken back for scores (Andrew Johnson and M Mitchell, fumbles; Mike Evans, interception).

The defense is led by three players Dexter Heyman with 83 tackles (four sacks, team-best three picks, forced fumble), Hakeem Smith with 81 tackles (team-best three forced fumbles, one interception, one fumble recovery) and Preston Brown with 81 (1.5 sacks). William Savoy and Marcus Smith each have five sacks, chipping in a combined 34 stops, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and blocked kick.

On offense, Louisville ranks just 100th in the country in points allowed (22 ppg) while generating 328 yards per contest (206 passing, 122 via the rush). Teddy Bridgewater completes 66 percent of his passes for 1,855 yards and 12 touchdowns with nine picks. The offensive line has allowed 36 sacks.

Michaelee Harris and Eli Rogers top the receiving threats with 71 combined grabs for 855 yards and three touchdowns, while Dominique Brown and Victor Anderson pace the rushing attack with 960 combined yards and seven touchdowns on 4.1 yards per attempt.

North Carolina State

NC State recovered from a poor start, winning three of its last four contests and five of seven to finish fourth in the ACC Atlantic Division (4-4). Most recently, NC State knocked off top-10 Clemson (37-13) and Maryland (56-41). The Wolfpack were 6-1 at home and 6-2 in its home state of North Carolina, where this bowl matchup is being held.

North Carolina State ranks 56th in points given up (25 ppg), giving up 352 yards per contest (220 through the air, 132 via the rush) while racking up 33 sacks and forcing 36 turnovers four of which were converted directly into scores (Brian Slay and Brandon Bishop, fumbles; David Amerson and C.J. Wilson, picks).

Earl Wolfe and Audie Cole pace the unit with 99 and 98 tackles, respectively, adding a combined seven forced fumbles, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries. Terrell Manning and Darryl Cato-Bishop have 11 combined sacks to go with 91 tackles, five forced fumbles, three recoveries and three interceptions, while Amerson has 11 interceptions and 54 stops.

Offensively, NC State ranks 58th in points allowed (28 ppg) while generating 346 yards per game (238 through the air, 108 rushing). Mike Glennon has completed 62 % of his passes for 2,790 yards and 28 TDs with 11 interceptions. The offensive line has given up 32 sacks.

Five players have caught at least 30 throws this year, led by T.J. Graham and James Washington with 39 catches each for a combined 941 yards and five scores. Meanwhile, Washington leads the ground game with 852 rushing yards and seven scores on 4.0 yards per attempt.

Remember the five bowl handicapping tips from BetFirms if you want to win a higher percentage of your bowl game picks this season.

Written by Jack Jones · Filed Under NCAA Football

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