2011 Belk Game Notes
2011
Belk Bowl Game Notes
The
opponents in the 2011 Belk Bowl this season did not venture far from home. The
game is being held in Charlotte, N.C. and will feature an in-state team in NC
State, representing the ACC, taking on Big East co-champ Louisville, from
neighboring Kentucky.
This
will be the first meeting between the two teams dating back to 1994, when
Louisville notched a 35-14 win at home.
Our
Belk Bowl odds show the Wolfpack as a 2.5-point chalk, while the total has been
listed at 44.5 points.
Louisville
Louisville
won their last three contests and five of their last six to finish as a
three-way Big East co-champion (5-2) with Cincinnati and West Virginia. Most
recently, Louisville posted consecutive road wins at Connecticut (34-20) and
South Florida (34-24) to post a 4-2 mark away from home, including a current
three-contest win streak in such contests.
Louisville
ranks a stellar 14th in the nation in points surrendered (19 points per game),
surrendering 328 yards per contest (224 via the pass, 104 on the ground) while
generating 32 sacks and generating 18 turnovers with three taken back for scores
(Andrew Johnson and M Mitchell, fumbles; Mike Evans, pick).
The
defense is paced by three guys Dexter Heyman with 83 stops (four sacks,
team-best three interceptions, 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, adding a combined 34 tackles, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and
blocked kick.
Offensively,
Louisville lists just 100th in the nation in points allowed (22 ppg) while
generating 328 yards per matchup (206 passing, 122 via the rush). Teddy
Bridgewater hits on 66 % of his throws for 1,855 yards and 12 touchdowns with
nine interceptions. The offensive line has given up 36 sacks.
Michaelee
Harris and Eli Rogers pace the receiving corps with 71 combined grabs for 855
yards and three touchdowns, while Dominique Brown and Victor Anderson pace the
running attack with 960 combined yards and seven scores on 4.1 yards per
carry.
North
Carolina State
The
Wolfpack bounced back from a slow start, winning three of its last four contests
and five of seven to finish fourth in the ACC Atlantic Division (4-4). Recently,
NC State beat top-10 Clemson (37-13) and Maryland (56-41). North Carolina State
was 6-1 at home and 6-2 in its home state of North Carolina, where this bowl
game is being held.
NC
State ranks 56th in points surrendered (25 ppg), allowing 352 yards per contest
(220 via the pass, 132 on the ground) while generating 33 sacks and enticing 36
turnovers four of which were returned for touchdowns (Brian Slay and Brandon
Bishop, fumbles; David Amerson and C.J. Wilson, picks).
Earl
Wolfe and Audie Cole lead the defense 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 picks and 54 tackles.
On
offense, NC State ranks 58th in points surrendered (28 ppg) while racking up 346
yards per game (238 passing, 108 rushing). Mike Glennon has completed 62 % of
his throws for 2,790 yards and 28 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. The
offensive line has allowed 32 sacks.
Five
guys have caught at least 30 throws this year, led by T.J. Graham and James
Washington with 39 grabs each for a combined 941 yards and five scores.
Meanwhile, Washington leads the ground game with 852 rushing yards and seven
touchdowns 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.
