Who: NC State Wolfpack (7-5) vs Vanderbilt Commodores (8-4)
Where: Nashville
When: New Year's Eve, Noon EST
TV: ESPN
Line: Vandy by 7
Ross: Vanderbilt played in a tougher conference (SEC) and finished with better overall (8-4) and conference (5-3) records than NC State. They had a better scoring offense and scoring defense than NC State. NC State had a better passing offense (304 ypg, 20th nationally), but Vanderbilt can counter that with a top-ten passing defense (176 ypg, 9th nationally). NC State also fired their coach after the season and enters the game with Ye Olde Interim Head Coach. There's really no reason to favor the Wolfpack in this game other than the fact that Vanderbilt is, well, Vanderbilt. But James Franklin has been doing a damn good job of changing that in his time with the 'Dores. NC State scored an impressive win in their upset of Florida State, but they also barely squeaked by Maryland and got blown out by Clemson and (more ominously) Virginia. Again, there's not a compelling reason to favor them in this game.
Kevin: Like Ross said above, most things point to Vandy winning this game. Where I step back and say "maybe not" is the fact that the best win on Vandy's schedule is Ole Miss. Yes, the Commies won six games down the stretch but only one of those teams had a winning record. I see this one as more of a pick'em so if you are betting on the game I would take NC State. That being said, I do believe that due to the coaching situation Vandy will find a way to win.
VANDERBILT 30 NC STATE 27
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