NC State vs. Wake Forest
Even though all is never right in the world, we do have a few hours on Thursday night when it feels like all is right in the world. The Thursday night ACC game is a tradition and the conference opener for both of these teams is NC State vs. Wake Forest. Separated by just over 100 miles by road, these two teams have played every season without fail since 1908.
NC State leads the head-to-head series 69-43-6 over Wake Forest per Winsipedia, but the Demon Deacons won last year and have won five of the last eight meetings. To extend their winning streak to two games, Wake Forest will have to pull another upset after winning as a 4.5-point dog last year.
How to Watch NC State vs. Wake Forest
Where: ESPN
When: Thursday, September 11, 7:30 p.m. ET
NC State vs. Wake Forest College Football Odds
NC State -7 (-110) // Wake Forest +7 (-110)
Total: 53 (-110/-110)
Odds from Circa Sports as of September 9, 9 a.m. PT; check out our Circa Betting Splits and DraftKings Betting Splits.
NC State vs. Wake Forest Game Preview
NC State
The Wolfpack are off to a 2-0 start for head coach Dave Doeren, including a revenge win over East Carolina, who beat NC State in last year’s Military Bowl. It was not an easy victory, as the Pirates comfortably covered in the 24-17 loss and the Wolfpack needed a stop on fourth down inside their own 10-yard-line to secure the win.
Last week, NC State trailed by 10 at halftime to Virginia, but scored 21 points in the third quarter and held the Cavaliers scoreless in the fourth for a home win. The Wolfpack only outgained East Carolina by 10 yards and got outgained by nearly 100 yards in the win over UVA. While moving the ball hasn’t been an issue with 6.55 yards per play, stopping other teams from moving the ball has been with 6.22 yards per play allowed.
Sophomore starter CJ Bailey has his 2025 season off on the right foot with a completion percentage over 70%, though six of NC State’s eight offensive touchdowns have come on the ground. But, three of them are his, so the 6-foot-6 dual-threat signal caller is running Kurt Roper’s offense effectively. Roper was named the OC after last season when Robert Anae was fired.
With Bailey’s five yards per carry and more than that from Hollywood Smothers, this looks to be a well-balanced offense, but the defense really needs to get better. East Carolina only managed 17 points, but had 383 yards through the air. We’ll see if DC D.J. Eliot is able to whip the unit into shape after previous DC Tony Gibson became the head coach at Marshall.
Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons did not look very good in their season opener against Kennesaw State, the only FBS team that they’ve played this season. And that is an Owls team that won just two games last season and had an exodus of talent and coaches after Brian Bohanon was fired in the middle of the season.
That 10-9 win lacked explosive plays, as Wake ran for fewer than three yards per carry. Robby Ashford was 20-of-28 passing, but only mustered 218 yards and just two plays over 20 yards. The win over Western Carolina was more impressive, but that was a FCS opponent and not a great barometer. Wake Forest only allowed 4.04 yards per play to Kennesaw State, but also only gained 4.64.
Ashford is on his third college football team, having had stops at Auburn and South Carolina before ending up in Winston-Salem. He has over 100 yards and has completed 66% of his passes, but it is hard to break down the numbers given that the offense was so good against the Catamounts and so pedestrian against the only FBS opponent.
Defensively, Wake has seven starts through the two games and has played extremely well, but the Wolfpack clearly represent a step up in class. Personally, I expect this defense to be very solid under Scottie Hazelton, who has had successful stints at Michigan State, Kansas State, and Wyoming. He was a special assistant at Texas last season and we all know the season that they had.
NC State vs. Wake Forest Prediction
NC State’s defense should get a respite here, as Wake Forest looks very explosive this season. Ashford has never really been that accurate of a passer and they should be able to flood the box in hopes of stopping Demond Claiborne, who has over 16 yards per carry on his 13 attempts. Ashford won’t beat them over the top and isn’t always on-target on quick throws, which should make it tough to keep pace with a Wolfpack offense that looks solid under Roper’s guidance.
Pick: NC State -7
Check out picks from VSiN hosts and guests on this game and all of the Week 3 games on our Pro Picks Page.
