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Rutgers opened at +5.5 for Thursday's Pinstripe Bowl but they were now a -3 favorite versus Miami.
Like many of this season's bowl games, teams are being decimated as players exit to enter the transfer portal.
The Scarlet Knights, a team that finished 6-6, certainly improved over past seasons. More importantly they will be at full strength in this one, well sort of. Rutgers was ranked 11th nationally in pass defense (175.9 yards). There is uncertainty whether Scarlet Knights cornerback Max Melson will play as he is entering the NFL draft.
The primary concern with Miami is starting a quarterback who has not started this season and only has three over his college career. That would be Jacurri Brown as Hurricanes 2023 QB Tyler Van Dyke heads to Wisconsin. Brown's best outing was in a road win at Georgia Tech, when he threw three touchdown passes and rushed for 87 yards. Brown has not thrown a pass this season.
The Scarlet Knights are looking for their first winning season since 2014.
Elsewhere, North Carolina State Wolfpack takes on the Kansas State Wildcats in the Pop Tarts Bowl. This one has gone under several corporate names since its creation in 1990.
NC State opened at +4 with the line moving to +2.5. The Wolfpack will be short-handed in this game. All-American linebacker Payton Wilson will be skipping the bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft. The Wolfpack will rely on LB Jaylon Scott to take up the slack.
Kansas State QB Avery Johnson will be making his first start because Will Howard entered the transfer portal. Johnson appeared in seven games this year, completing 23 of 35 passes for 301 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 225 yards and six touchdowns.
NC State, despite finishing the season 9-3 Straight Up, comes into this one just 6-5-1 Against The Spread.
- Ean Lamb, Gambling911.com
