Virginia Tech vs NC State Odds, Picks and Predictions: ACC Offenses Start Frighteningly Slow

Spooky season can’t end soon enough for the North Carolina State Wolfpack. A team that had ACC title aspirations has now dropped two of its last three games, and worst of all, quarterback Devin Leary is now out for the season with an injury. 

While things have gone south for NC State recently, it's been a horror show for Brent Pry and Virginia Tech all season long. The Hokies enter this game with an anemic offense and are losers of four straight games. 

But you know what’s really scary? A bet that will have you on the edge of your seat from the moment the ball is kicked off.

I break down this Thursday night ACC clash and give you my best college football picks and predictions for Virginia Tech vs. NC State.

Virginia Tech vs NC State best odds

Virginia Tech vs NC State picks and predictions

This is not the way NC State envisioned this season going. The Wolfpack had hopes of a trip to the ACC title game, and perhaps more, but that has been derailed heading into this week’s game against Virginia Tech. 

Devin Leary’s injury is a huge blow to NC State’s season. Leary is one of the best quarterbacks in the ACC and will miss the remainder of the year with a torn pectoral muscle. His presence was missed almost immediately. 

NC State managed just nine points in a loss to Syracuse and backup Jack Chambers had his struggles. Chambers is more of a threat on the ground than Leary but his passing leaves something to be desired. He went 18-for-30 for just 160 yards in the loss to the Orange. 

It doesn’t help that the Wolfpack haven’t gotten much out of the ground game, ranking 92nd in the country in rushing yards per contest.

While the Virginia Tech defense isn’t elite, it's a middle-of-the-pack group that ranks 53rd in the country in opponent yards per play and should be good enough to slow down Chambers and this Wolfpack offense.

The NC State defense, on the other hand, is one of the best in the ACC. It ranks 18th in the country in total defense and 14th in scoring defense, surrendering just 16.9 points per game. Now, it gets to face a Hokies offense that looks like a total mess.

They can’t throw. They can’t run. It’s a mess. Virginia Tech ranks 95th in passing yards per game, 114th in rushing yards per game, and 115th in scoring offense.

This could be an ugly one. Which means low scoring, particularly in the early going. NC State has scored just 16 first-half points over its last three games, including just three in Chambers’ first start, while Virginia Tech has averaged 8.3 first-half points during this four-game skid.

There is nothing like kicking off the new week of college football with an instant sweat, but that’s what we’re doing by going with the first-half Under.

My best bet: First-half Under 20.5 (-115 at bet365)

Virginia Tech vs NC State spread analysis

How bad are things for Virginia Tech? It's going against a team putting in its backup quarterback and the Hokies are still getting nearly two touchdowns. But that’s the difference between the NC State defense and this Virginia Tech offense. 

Quarterback Grant Wells has just never found his rhythm this season. He is completing 59% of his passes and has as many interceptions (seven) as touchdowns. That lack of offense has made the Hokies a woeful bet this season, going 2-5 against the spread. 

Now, Wells goes up against a Wolfpack defense that has been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks and ranks 22nd in the country in opponent average passer rating.  

All that said, it’s hard to have faith in a Wolfpack offense that is struggling with a backup quarterback to cover 13.5-points in what is expected to be a low-scoring game (the full-game total is 40). And it’s not like NC State has been a better bet, as it hasn’t covered a spread since September 17.

A general rule of thumb is to take an underdog this large with a total so low but in this matchup where the underdog is the Hokies, I would just stay away. 

Virginia Tech vs NC State Over/Under analysis

The total for this ACC clash hit the board at an NFL-low 40.5 and there are already some 39.5s popping up on the odds board. Clearly, as I’m taking the first-half Under, I am leaning towards the full-game Under as well.

And why not? Virginia Tech has scored 14 points or fewer in three of its last four games, while NC State has averaged just 16 points per contest over its last three.  

The recipe is all there for this game to land below the number. Two below-average offenses, one solid and one on excellent defense. And heck, the Wolfpack even plays at one of the slowest paces in the country. As I said, I’m leaning Under but I would move quickly if you are too, as that number could dip pretty low by kickoff.

Virginia Tech vs NC State betting trend to know

The Under is 6-1 in Virginia Tech's last seven games overall and 4-1 in NC State's last five games following a bye. Find more NCAA betting trends for Virginia Tech vs. NC State.

Virginia Tech vs NC State game info

Virginia Tech vs NC State latest injuries

Virginia Tech vs NC State weather

Monitor gametime conditions with our College football weather info.

Pages related to this topic