It's been a disappointing season for the North Carolina State Wolfpack, and their hopes of becoming bowl-eligible on Thursday night may have to wait against Haynes King and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
My North Carolina State vs. Georgia Tech predictions break down why a Week 13 win will be easier said than done against a Yellow Jackets team that is coming off a huge win over Miami.
Here are my college football picks for November 20.
NC State vs Georgia Tech prediction and best bet
My best bet
Georgia Tech team total Over 31.5 (+102 at FanDuel)
Picks made at time of writing may not reflect live odds.
My analysis
Haynes King is one of my favorite players to watch in college football, and his presence on the football field makes this Georgia Tech offense a legitimate threat... even if he hasn't used his arm as much as he'd like down the stretch.
That’s exactly what happened in the Yellow Jackets huge Week 11 upset of Miami, as King entered that game as a “game-time decision" with a shoulder injury.
King was eventually given the green light but ended up only attempting six passes. However, it didn’t matter as Georgia Tech ran for 271 yards, including 93 from King in a 28-23 win over the Hurricanes as 9.5-point underdogs.
Coming off a bye, I expect King and this Yellow Jackets offense to be able to air it out a little more. Prior to that unique circumstance, King had thrown for 1,568 yards with eight touchdowns and just one interception.
King, along with running back Jamal Haynes, are the reason the Yellow Jackets enter this game ranked 17th in EPA/play on offense and 29th in offensive success rate. They're now set to face a North Carolina State defense that has fallen off a cliff, particularly against the pass. The Wolfpack rank 63rd in EPA/dropback and 95th in defensive success rate on dropbacks.
And while NC State is better against the run, I wouldn’t be worried about that after watching the Yellow Jackets rumble all over a Canes defense that sits 13th in EPA/rush.
With that in mind, give me Georgia Tech to eclipse its team total on Thursday.
NC State vs Georgia Tech same-game parlay (SGP)
Georgia Tech team total Over 31.5
Haynes King Over 199.5 passing yards
Haynes King anytime touchdown
With the extra rest coming off the bye, I expect King’s arm should be usable again. In the last six games where King was healthy, he attempted at least 22 passes and averaged 237 passing yards per game.
But, as noted, King is most dangerous when both his arm and legs are working, having tallied 446 yards and seven scores on the ground this season, including finding paydirt in five of his last seven starts. Although oddsmakers haven’t given us a rushing yard prop for King yet, we can add his anytime TD to this SGP.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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NC State vs Georgia Tech odds
NC State vs Georgia Tech live odds
NC State vs Georgia Tech opening odds
- NC State vs. Georgia Tech spread: Georgia Tech -9
- NC State vs. Georgia Tech moneyline: NC State +265, Georgia Tech -330
- NC State vs. Georgia Tech Over/Under: 52.5
Odds courtesy of BetMGM
NC State vs Georgia Tech spread and Over/Under analysis
- Georgia Tech opened this ACC matchup as 9-point favorites and that's roughly where the spread sits as of Wednesday afternoon.
- NC State is just 2-8 ATS on the season, while Georgia Tech is just 3-4-1 ATS in its last eight games.
- The total opened at 52.5 and also hasn't seen much action at this point.
- Along with my best bet, I would lean toward the full-game Over as well. Georgia Tech is susceptible to the pass, ranking 107th in success rate on dropbacks, and NC State QB CJ Bailey hasn't been terrible since taking over for the now-retired Grayson McCall.
NC State vs Georgia Tech betting trend to know
The Yellow Jackets have covered the spread in five of their last seven games at home (+3.90 Units / 51% ROI). Find more college football betting trends for NC State vs Georgia Tech.
NC State vs Georgia Tech game info
| Location: | Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA |
| Date: | Thursday, 11-21, 2024 |
| Kickoff: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
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