The Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Wolfpack of North Carolina State will do battle today in the third annual Papajohns.com Bowl. The match-up will take place at 3:00pm ET at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. College bowl picks at BetUS.com have Rutgers listed as a -6.5 favorite.
The Scarlet Knights got off to a miserable start this season, despite returning 15 starters from last year's 8-5 squad. Rutgers lost four of their first five contests before getting things turned around at the season's half-way point. They went on to win their final six games and finished the regular season with a 7-5 record. The Knights 5-2 conference mark was good enough for a fourth place finish in the Big East standings.
Rutgers senior quarterback Mike Teel , like his team, had a rough start to the year, but he also got things corrected. Teel closed out the schedule in top form, throwing for 3099 yards, 23 touchdowns, and compiling a 148.52 passer rating.
NC State's season somewhat mirrored Rutgers as they too had a difficult start to the year. The young Wolfpack, however, improved as the season progressed and after losing six of their first eight games, they went on to win their last four. The resulting 6-6 record made them bowl eligible, but it did not do much for their conference finish. NC State (4-4 in conference play) concluded the regular season in last place in the ACC's Atlantic division.
Freshman quarterback Russell Wilson aided the Wolfpack's turnaround as he threw for 1769 yards and produced a 134.29 passer rating. Wilson also threw 16 touchdowns to just one interception.
Papajohns.com Bowl Betting Trend: The Under is 1-4 in Rutgers last five games with a total of 54.5 or more.
BetUS.com's NC State vs Rutgers 2008 Papajohns.com Bowl Betting Odds:
NC State Wolfpack +6.5 (-110), Over 56.5 (-110), +220 (Money line)
Rutgers Scarlet Knights -6.5 (-110), Under 56.5 (-110), -260 (Money line)
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