The ACC’s top receiver, Isaiah Ford (382 yards, 3 TDs), and the Virginia Tech Hokies play third-leading passer, Jacoby Brissett (992 yards, 7 TDs), and the North Carolina State Wolfpack. Things don’t seem likely to get better any time soon for struggling Virginia Tech (2-3), as it has lost two of its last three. The game will begin Friday, Oct 9 at 8:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on ESPN.
Virginia Tech was defeated by Pittsburgh 17-13 last week. Bucky Hodges had a solid game in the loss, totaling two receptions for 42 yards. North Carolina State came up short as well, getting beat by Louisville 20-13. Jaylen Samuels had a good game for the Wolfpack, registering five receptions for 75 yards and one TD. Jacoby Brissett finished with 183 yards and a TD through the air.
Virginia Tech is a narrow two-point favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable.
The Hokies enter the game with a record of 2-3 Straight Up (SU) and Against The Spread (ATS) this season. The Hokies have the 16th-best pass defense in the nation and give up 157.8 yards per game through the air. A vital part of the game will be whether the Wolfpack can secure the ball from Virginia Tech’s hungry defense. It averages the 14th-most fumbles recovered in the nation with 1.2 per game.
Across the field, the Wolfpack have a record of 4-1 for both ATS and SU. If earlier games are any indication, the Wolfpack will run the ball aggressively. They average 216.2 rushing yards per game, good enough for 25th in Division I. Switching gears to the North Carolina State defense, there are certain areas where it measures up well against the Hokies. The North Carolina State defense has allowed just 80.2 yards per game this season, sixth in the nation. The Wolfpack could take advantage of Virginia Tech’s reputation as a slow starter on defense. The Hokies are 106th in Division I in first-quarter points allowed with nine. Don’t be surprised to hear lots of calls against the Hokies when they take the field. Virginia Tech is among the most penalized teams in the country, receiving an average of 8.6 penalties per game.
Predictions: SU Winner – North Carolina State, ATS Winner – North Carolina State
Notes
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Virginia Tech’s last 5 games.
Virginia Tech is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Virginia Tech’s last 5 games at home.
North Carolina State is 4-0 SU when leading at the start of the 4th quarter this season. Virginia Tech is 2-0 SU when carrying a lead into the fourth quarter.
The Virginia Tech offensive passing attack is ranked only 74th in the nation, while the North Carolina State pass defense is ranked ninth. The Wolfpack passing game is ranked just 79th, compared to the 16th-ranked pass defense of the Hokies.
According to overall FBS team rankings, North Carolina State is rated higher in the ground game on both sides of the ball. Its 25th-ranked rushing attack will face the 103rd-ranked run defense of Virginia Tech, while its sixth-ranked rush defense will look to contain the 75th-ranked running game of the Hokies.
Virginia Tech has given up 24.2 points per game this year, which is ranked only 38th in the nation. North Carolina State has scored 39.6 points per contest this year and is ranked 13th in all of FBS.
