NC State vs. Virginia Player Props: Best Bets for College Football Week 0

In the only game between conference opponents on the Week 0 slate, two ACC rivals do battle as the Virginia Cavaliers host the NC State Wolfpack. My NC State vs. Virginia player props surprise with varying expectations from the teams’ two quarterbacks, opting for more optimism with the one making his first start with the team. I also find value in a receptions prop as part of my college football Week 0 predictions, as oddsmakers may be off on how instantly a new receiver and quarterback can connect.

This game was supposed to be played in Rio de Janeiro, but logistics forced a move to Virginia’s campus at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN), and the Cavaliers are a four-point betting favorite. 

🏈 NC State vs. Virginia player prop picks: Week 0

See the latest college football odds and our college football picks for Week 0.

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💰 NC State vs. Virginia best player prop bet

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CJ Bailey, QB, NC State: Under 1.5 passing touchdowns (-155 via bet365)

NC State’s CJ Bailey is the top returning quarterback in the ACC based on Total QBR last season. He is coming off a year where he completed 69% of his passes for 3,105 yards, and a 25-to-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Two things are concerning about Bailey’s ability to get off to a hot start this season. First, it’s unsustainable that 11 of his 25 touchdown passes last year were thrown 20-plus yards downfield (tied for the most in the ACC). Second, the Wolfpack lost last year’s leading rusher and top four pass catchers, so there should be growing pains early.

🔥 More NC State vs. Virginia player prop picks

Beau Pribula, QB, Virginia: Over 32.5 rushing yards (-120 via DraftKings)

Beau Pribula performed well for Missouri before suffering an ankle injury. He passed for 1,941 yards and 11 touchdowns, while rushing for 416 non-sack yards.

Oddsmakers seemingly expect Pribula to play with no fear after that ankle injury, as he has 48.78% implied odds (+105) to score a touchdown. That has me confident in backing the Over on his rushing yards total, especially when trying to elude Tulane transfer Harvey Dyson. The edge rusher recorded eight sacks and 12 tackles for loss last season, so Pribula could be forced out of the pocket to run early and often.

Rico Flores Jr., WR, Virginia: Over 3.5 receptions (+140 via bet365)

The price is right to back UCLA transfer Rico Flores Jr. to establish an instant connection with Pribula. Flores has -180 odds (64.29% implied probability) to record three-plus catches at other top sports betting sites, so the value is there for him to add one more at a plus-money return.

Pribula enters a system where Chandler Morris threw for 3,000 yards a year ago. And NC State’s defense has been ranked outside of the top 60 in SP+ in consecutive years, so it might not be a great thing that six defensive backs with 200-plus snaps return.

📺 How to watch NC State vs. Virginia: Week 0

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 29

• Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET

• Location: Scott Stadium (Charlottesville, Va.)

• TV: ESPN

• Streaming: ESPN+