North Carolina at NC State odds, picks and predictions
The North Carolina Tar Heels (8-3, 4-3 ACC) and No. 24 NC State Wolfpack (8-3, 5-2) meet Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ACC Network). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the North Carolina vs. NC State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
North Carolina failed to cover the spread as an 8.5-point underdog in a 31-20 loss at the Clemson Tigers last Saturday as the Under (59.5) hit. RB Omarion Hampton ran for 178 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Tar Heels struggled to stop the Tigers' rushing attack, which gained 247 yards. They have lost 2 straight road games and have fallen out of the Top 25.
NC State covered as a 2-point underdog in a 35-28 win at the Virginia Tech Hokies last Saturday as the Over (41) cashed. QB Brennan Armstrong had a huge game, throwing for 203 yards, running for another 89, and accounting for 4 total touchdowns. The Wolfpack have cracked the Top 25 after winning their 4th straight game.
NC State has won 5 of its last 7 games against the Tar Heels. It covered as a 6.5-point road underdog in a 30-27 North Carolina overtime win in the most recent meeting Nov. 25, 2022, as the Over (56) hit.
NC State is No. 24 in the US LBM Coaches Poll powered by Paste BN Sports.
Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+
North Carolina at NC State odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 2:07 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): North Carolina -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | NC State +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Against the spread (ATS): North Carolina -2.5 (-110) | NC State +2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 55 (O: -110 | U: -110)
North Carolina at NC State picks and predictions
Prediction
NC State 27, North Carolina 24
Moneyline
This is a classic rivalry game, and I fully expect it to be a tight one that comes down to the wire, but I have the WOLFPACK (+115) winning. I believe they win this game on the strength of their defense. They've allowed just 21 points per game on the season, which is 33rd-best in the country. I also like betting on the team playing the best at the moment, and that's easily NC State with its 4 straight victories. It hasn't lost at home since Sept. 29 against Louisville.
BET NC STATE (+115).
Against the spread
BET NC STATE +2.5 (-110).
I obviously like NC State to win the game outright, so I'll take them with the points as well for all the reasons I mentioned above.
Over/Under
PASS.
The Wolfpack defense is the wild card in this game. My lean is to the Under, but North Carolina scores 36 PPG, which is top 15 in the country. I could see this game going either way, so I'm going to just stay away and keep my bets to the moneyline and spread.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow @DrewPhelps05 on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from Paste BN Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / Recruiting / Transfer portal / College Football Playoffs / College Sports Wire