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Best Ways to Bet on NC State: Can Wolfpack Challenge Clemson in 2022?

Philip Wood

Last Updated: January 1, 0001 12:00 AM EST • 2 min 45 sec read.

Devin Leary of the NC State Wolfpack throws a pass during pregame warm ups prior to the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.
Devin Leary of the NC State Wolfpack throws a pass during pregame warm ups prior to the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium. Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images via AFP.

The NC State Wolfpack enter the season ranked 13th in the nation and seem like Clemson’s only real challenge in the ACC Atlantic. Here are the best picks for NC State this season.

The Wolfpack beat the Clemson Tigers last season, yet they couldn’t win their division. Instead, they finished second behind Wake Forest and ended the year with a 9-3 record. This year, Clemson is heavily favored to prevail in the division, and the Wolfpack are the only team that many of our top-rated sportsbooks are giving a chance to take down the Tigers.

NC State has an experienced team headlined by quarterback Devin Leary, receiver Devin Carter, and team captain and center Grant Gibson. They return plenty of key weapons on defense as well, including linebacker Drake Thomas. With lots of experience and a very favorable schedule, the Wolfpack could be a surprise contender not just in the Atlantic but on the national stage.

Below, we look at the best ways to bet on NC State in 2022; odds via DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook.

Best Bets for NC State in 2022

  • NC State Over 9.5 wins (+160 via DraftKings)
  • NC State Over 5.5 conference wins (+125 via DraftKings)
  • NC State to win the ACC (+750 via FanDuel)

2022 Predictions for NC State

NC State Over 9.5 wins (+160)

There is quite a bit of disparity between the books about what the odds should be for NC State to win 10 or more games this year. While DraftKings has the Wolfpack at +160, FanDuel has them at +125, and it really seems like FanDuel is on the right track.

This schedule is not very difficult for the 13th-ranked team in the country. The Wolfpack start off the year with a visit to East Carolina, which could trip them up, but after that, there really aren’t any tough stretches on the schedule. The remainder of the nonconference slate is pretty simple, then they travel to Death Valley to take on Clemson. After that, they face just one preseason-ranked opponent in Wake Forest, and that game will be played in Raleigh.

Of course, NC State is a team that could lose a game here or there that they have no business losing, but this is an experienced group coming off a really good season in 2021. The Wolfpack went 7-0 at home last year, and with defending Atlantic champion Wake Forest coming to Raleigh, NC State has a legitimate chance of going 11-1 this season.

NC State Over 5.5 conference wins (+125)

It’s really surprising that Over 5.5 isn’t favored on this line, considering the schedule. We already talked about the Wolfpack’s road trip to Death Valley and their tough home game against Wake Forest late in the year, but look at the rest of the ACC schedule. 

They’re home against Florida State, Virginia Tech, and Boston College, and their road games are at Syracuse, Louisville, and North Carolina. A rivalry game against UNC could pose potential problems; however, even if it does, the Wolfpack should be able to split against Wake and UNC. That would mean even a loss against Clemson puts them at 6-2 in conference play this season. 

NC State to win the ACC (+750)

If anyone will challenge Clemson for the ACC Atlantic this season, it will be the Wolfpack. However, the odds of +475 to win it aren’t worth it, considering the moneyline to beat Clemson in early October will probably be around that number. 

Last season, Wake Forest won the Atlantic, but wasn’t really in the discussion to make the College Football Playoff. While the Wolfpack could make a run at one of the top four spots, it's likely they could encounter similar problems Wake faced because of its strength of schedule. 

Yet, if NC State does take down Clemson, then it will be the team representing the Atlantic in the ACC Championship game, where the Wolfpack will almost certainly be favored. The most value is on picking the Wolfpack to win the entire conference. If you are really committed to choosing them to win the Atlantic, just wait until Oct. 1, and try to find a favorable moneyline against Clemson.

Where to Bet on College Football Futures

FanDuel Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook
DraftKings Sportsbook
PointsBet
BetMGM

Ways to bet on NC State picks made 8/17/2022 at 2:11 p.m. ET.

Written By:
Philip Wood
Phil is a Sports Betting Analyst for Sportsbook Review and BettingPros.com, specializing in NFL and college football. He previously covered college football and college basketball for CanesInsight.com, where he also hosted the College Football Pick 'Em podcast. Phil is always looking for value, especially on lines that just seem too good to be true. His belief is if a line doesn't make sense, just assume that Vegas knows something you don't. An alumnus of The U, Phil always holds out hope that the next head coach will be the one who turns the football program around. Some would call him a frontrunner for his love of the Yankees and the Celtics, but he's also a diehard Detroit Lions fan and will never forgive the refs for the blown pass interference call against the Cowboys in 2015.