[12:30 PM] Miami (FL) @ North Carolina State

Who will WIN this matchup?

Miami (FL) Hurricanes (6-4)

@ North Carolina State Wolfpack (5-5)

• The line for this game is Miami by 2.5 points.

• North Carolina State looks to become bowl eligible Saturday on Senior Day when it hosts Miami (Fla.), which is coming off one-sided wins against Pittsburgh and Virginia. The Wolfpack ended a four-game losing streak with a 35-20 victory at Syracuse behind a strong defensive performance and a career-high, 340-yard passing day by quarterback Ryan Finley.

• Despite having to start two reserves on the line against Virginia, the Hurricanes piled up 222 yards on the ground including 125 by team rushing leader leader Mark Walton (885 yards, 5.5 yards per carry, 11 touchdowns). While wide receiver Stacy Coley (47 receptions, 531 yards, eight touchdowns) remains Kaaya’s most frequent target, freshman Ahmmon Richards (34, 732 yards, 21.5 yards per catch) has emerged as his big-play receiver, scoring on a 77-yard play against Virginia. Led by freshman linebacker Shaquille Quarterman, an aggressive defensive line and senior cornerback Corn Elder, the Hurricanes have held eight of their 10 foes below their season scoring average and rank 13th in FBS in scoring defense (19.3) and first in tackles for loss (9.0 per game).

• The leader of the Wolfpack’s dominating front seven is junior defensive end Bradley Chubb, who has 17.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks and three forced fumbles. Finley (2,463 yards, 62.3 percent, 15 touchdowns) has spread the ball around – six receivers and backs have 20 or more receptions – with tight end/running back Jaylen Samuels having have the most catches (43, 422 yards, four touchdowns), wide receiver Stephen Louis piling up the most yardage (24, 463 yards, 19.3 per reception) and freshman wide receiver Kelvin Harmon coming off a career-best of 101 receiving yards against Syracuse. Senior running back Matthew Dayes, who had a career-high three touchdowns against the Orange, leads the Wolfpack in rushing with 939 yards on 4.8 yards per carry.

• Kaaya will become the first Miami quarterback to exceed 2,800 yards in passing three straight seasons if he throws for 232 yards or more Saturday.

• N.C. State held Syracuse to 28 yards rushing on 28 carries and 210 total yards.

• Miami’s three starting freshman linebackers – Quarterman, Mike Pinckney and Zack McCloud – have combined or 127 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and five sacks.

StreakSmarts Pick: Miami (FL) Hurricanes

Confidence: 5/10