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. Players will take the field Friday, Oct 9 at 8:00 p.m. ET and the game will air on ESPN.
Virginia Tech was defeated by Pittsburgh 17-13 last week. Bucky Hodges had a good game in the loss, registering two receptions for 42 yards. North Carolina State came up short as well, getting beat by Louisville 20-13. Jaylen Samuels had a solid outing for the Wolfpack, totaling five receptions for 75 yards and one TD. Jacoby Brissett added 183 yards and a TD through the air.
Virginia Tech is a slight two-point favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently 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 pivotal part of the game will be whether the Wolfpack can secure the ball from Virginia Tech’s hungry defense. It averages the 13th-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. North Carolina State has found a lot of success on the ground. Its 216.2 rushing yards per game ranks 25th in Division I. Switching gears to the North Carolina State defense, it has some favorable matchups that it may be able to take advantage of as well. North Carolina State’s sixth-ranked run defense has given its competition headaches. Opponents have only run for 80.2 yards per game against this terrorizing bunch. 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 passing attack is ranked only 74th in the country, 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.
