The first game on the Week 3 college football card features the Wolfpack and Demon Deacons on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN. SBR's Mike Spector breaks down the action in his NC State vs Wake Forest prediction:
NC State -7 (-110 BetMGM)
"NC State stormed back from a 10-point halftime deficit to improve to 4-0 against conference rival Virginia under head coach Dave Doeren last week. That should springboard into a spirited performance this week against a Demon Deacons team that upset the Wolfpack in their own backyard last year as four-point underdogs.
NC State’s 35 points in last week’s victory were its second-most in four contests against the Cavaliers under Doeren. However, the Wolfpack's coaching staff must find answers for a defense that allowed its most points (31) by a Doeren-led squad against the same opponent.
Thankfully, Wake Forest has its own offensive issues, including converting just six first downs and averaging 2.8 yards per carry in an uninspiring 10-point effort against Kennesaw State, which is in its second season at the FBS level.
Many of NC State’s defensive struggles early against Virginia came from its inability to stop the Cavaliers on third-and-long. Virginia converted six of its first seven third-down tries, five of which came on plays of 10-plus yards. But the Wolfpack made adjustments to limit the Cavaliers to just 50% on third downs in the second half. They should continue to see positive regression in that respect if they continue to force third-and-long situations.
I am taking advantage of one of the few 7-point spreads at -110 odds at BetMGM before more betting sites align with the 7.5-point spread available on the high end of the market."
Robby Ashford Under 194.5 passing yards (-118 Caesars)
"If you’ve never seen Demon Deacons quarterback and South Carolina transfer Robby Ashford play, you are in for a treat, as most of his dropbacks turn into theater with how often he dances and scrambles in the pocket. But I expect NC State’s pass rush to get a ton of push against an offensive line starting as many as three new players. That should have Ashford relying on his legs more than his arm.
Wake Forest wants to be a run-first team, with 47 runs to 28 passes in a close season opener, and five more run plays than pass plays in Week 2.
Ashford’s 25 carries are already seven more than the second-highest total on the team. If this game is as close as the oddsmakers predict with a 7-point spread, the Demon Deacons will prefer to bleed clock and limit the Wolfpack’s offensive possessions, thus lowering the ceiling on Ashford’s passing yards.
I am taking advantage of the best number at Caesars, whose O/U of 194.5 yards is slightly higher than the 192.5 on the low end of the market."
NC State vs Wake Forest Odds:
Can Wake Forest keep this close or will NC State pull away? Share your picks below.
NC State -7 (-110 BetMGM)
"NC State stormed back from a 10-point halftime deficit to improve to 4-0 against conference rival Virginia under head coach Dave Doeren last week. That should springboard into a spirited performance this week against a Demon Deacons team that upset the Wolfpack in their own backyard last year as four-point underdogs.
NC State’s 35 points in last week’s victory were its second-most in four contests against the Cavaliers under Doeren. However, the Wolfpack's coaching staff must find answers for a defense that allowed its most points (31) by a Doeren-led squad against the same opponent.
Thankfully, Wake Forest has its own offensive issues, including converting just six first downs and averaging 2.8 yards per carry in an uninspiring 10-point effort against Kennesaw State, which is in its second season at the FBS level.
Many of NC State’s defensive struggles early against Virginia came from its inability to stop the Cavaliers on third-and-long. Virginia converted six of its first seven third-down tries, five of which came on plays of 10-plus yards. But the Wolfpack made adjustments to limit the Cavaliers to just 50% on third downs in the second half. They should continue to see positive regression in that respect if they continue to force third-and-long situations.
I am taking advantage of one of the few 7-point spreads at -110 odds at BetMGM before more betting sites align with the 7.5-point spread available on the high end of the market."
Robby Ashford Under 194.5 passing yards (-118 Caesars)
"If you’ve never seen Demon Deacons quarterback and South Carolina transfer Robby Ashford play, you are in for a treat, as most of his dropbacks turn into theater with how often he dances and scrambles in the pocket. But I expect NC State’s pass rush to get a ton of push against an offensive line starting as many as three new players. That should have Ashford relying on his legs more than his arm.
Wake Forest wants to be a run-first team, with 47 runs to 28 passes in a close season opener, and five more run plays than pass plays in Week 2.
Ashford’s 25 carries are already seven more than the second-highest total on the team. If this game is as close as the oddsmakers predict with a 7-point spread, the Demon Deacons will prefer to bleed clock and limit the Wolfpack’s offensive possessions, thus lowering the ceiling on Ashford’s passing yards.
I am taking advantage of the best number at Caesars, whose O/U of 194.5 yards is slightly higher than the 192.5 on the low end of the market."
NC State vs Wake Forest Odds:
Can Wake Forest keep this close or will NC State pull away? Share your picks below.