by Chuck Sommers
Monday, Oct 24, 2022
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC
Where to watch: ESPN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: NC State -13.5; NC State -540, VA Tech +420
FanDuel: NC State -13.5; NC State -780, VA Tech +530
BetMGM: NC State -13.5
Caesars: NC State -13.5; NC State -550, VA Tech +400
Season record
Virginia Tech: 2-5 (1-3 ACC)
No. 24 NC State: 5-2 (1-2 ACC)
We’re quickly approaching the fun time of the year where conference title games are made and upsets are the norm in college football. After minimal change in the top-25 polls this week, what in the world can we expect this time around? One thing you can be sure of is Kyle Hunter and his 22-9-0 mark in college football over the last month. Sean Murphy has also seen a profitable month at 28-15-0 over the last 30 days. What does the world have in store this time around with what should be another exciting week of college football? Follow our best bets page and make sure to be in tune with what our champion handicappers have to say this week!
Virginia Tech - NC State preview, analysis and prediction
Last time out:
Virginia Tech: lost 20-14 vs. Miami
NC State: lost 24-9 at No. 18 Syracuse
The Virginia Tech Hokies are coming off their bye week fresh off a four-game losing streak after losing 20-14 to Miami on Oct. 15. What’s once been a proud program has seen some serious decline over the last month. Not only have they lost four straight, that Miami game at home was the only one that came by single digits. Quarterback Grant Wells threw for 179 yards and a touchdown, as Virginia Tech was held to just 257 total yards of offense. If there was any other way to sum up this year for that program, it might be this. There’s also more to discuss with VA Tech giving up 458 total yards and somehow losing by six, but that’s another conversation for another program at another time.
“There is just so much evidence of who we can be as a team,” Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry said. “That’s what I told them (his players). We’ve got to stop stubbing our toe and finding ways to not make people earn it. We’ve got to stop that.”
Virginia Tech’s offense has been abysmal all year long, putting up 19.4 points per game while the defense has been fairly serviceable in giving up 25 points and 357 yards per game. So, clearly you can see where the problem lies. The defense has been good enough to do what it can, but it’s not going to be good enough to offset the problems that this offense has had.
The North Carolina State Wolfpack, also off their bye week, have dropped two of three since their 4-0 start and have since fallen down the totem pole in the ACC. They also took a hit in terms of the pecking order after the two losses were to No. 5 Clemson and No. 18 Syracuse, two teams that are best known for being the cream of the crop in the conference to begin the year. NC State had its worst offensive performance of the season last time out in a 24-9 loss to Syracuse, but to no fault of their own. Starting quarterback Devin Leary is out for the rest of the year due to injury and such a problem is now heaped upon senior quarterback Jack Chambers. He is no Devin Leary after going 18 of 30 for 160 yards and no touchdowns. The NC State running game didn’t fare any better with just 95 yards on 38 carries.
"I thought Jack played hard and he did some good things," N.C. State coach Dave Doeren said. "At times it was very difficult for him with that noise and the pressures they were bringing. He made a lot of plays with his legs for us today, didn't turn the football over, and showed good poise, didn't get rattled, so he can definitely grow from that game."
Prediction
NC State’s offense has taken a dive while scoring 20 points or less in the last three games. If there was a chance for the Hokies to win and get off the slide, it would be this one. But in a hostile environment like Carter-Finley, I don’t see it happening much. NC State by 20
Betting trends
Virginia Tech is 3-10 ATS on the road over the last three years.
Virginia Tech is 4-9 ATS as an underdog the last three years.
NC State is 37-20 ATS off a bye week since 1992.
NC State is 6-1 ATS following a straight up loss the last three years.
Statistical leaders
Virginia Tech:
Passing: Grant Wells – 1,439 yards, 7 TD, 7 INT
Rushing: Keshawn King – 259 yards, 2 TD
Receiving: Kaleb Smith – 428 yards, 2 TD
NC State:
Passing: Devin Leary – 1,265 yards, 11 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: Jordan Houston – 304 yards
Receiving: Thayer Thomas – 319 yards, 2 TD
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
