The Virginia Tech Hokies (2-5, 1-3 ACC) will be out to end their losing run when they travel to take on the No. 24 North Carolina State University Wolfpack (5-2, 1-2 ACC) at Carter-Finley Stadium on Thursday. The Wolfpack are 13.5-point favorites, and the total is 40.
Virginia Tech is coming off a 20-14 loss at the hands of No. 25 Miami (FL) at Lane Stadium/Worsham Field on October 15, their fourth consecutive defeat. Grant Wells was 21 of 33 for 179 yards and a touchdown. Malachi Thomas ran 13 times for 41 yards. He added six receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown.
North Carolina State lost 24-9 to No. 18 Syracuse at JMA Wireless Dome on October 15. Jack Chambers threw for 160 yards. He added 58 yards on the ground. Keyon Lesane had four receptions for 39 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The teams are meeting in the regular season for the first time since September 2020, a 45-24 win for the Hokies. James Mitchell scored once through the air for Virginia Tech.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Hokies are averaging 19.1 points per game for the season, 115th in FBS, and they are facing a Wolfpack defense that has surrendered 16.9 PPG (14th). Meanwhile, North Carolina State has scored 27.4 points a game this season, 75th in the nation, and Virginia Tech is allowing 25.1 PPG (62nd).The Hokies rank as one of the nation’s worst teams in rushing yards per game (107.3, 114th), while they are 95th in passing yards (214.6).
The Wolfpack are 21st in passing yards allowed per game (189.4) and 33rd against the run (121.4).North Carolina State is 88th in the nation in passing yards per game (220.6) and 90th in rushing (134.4), while the Hokies are allowing 224.0 passing yards (63rd) and 133.9 rushing yards per game (51st).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through seven games, Grant Wells has thrown for seven touchdowns (7 INT) and 205.6 yards per game to lead Virginia Tech in passing. In three away games this season, he has two TDs (6 INT) and an average of 204.3 yards passing. Keshawn King leads the team in rushing with an average of 43.2 yards a game over six games.
He has two touchdowns on the ground. Kaleb Smith is the Hokies’ leading receiver with 61.1 yards a game and two TDs. Devin Leary has 11 passing touchdowns (4 INT) with 210.8 yards per game through six games to lead North Carolina State. In four home games this season, he has thrown for nine TDs (2 INT) and an average of 202.2 yards.
Jordan Houston has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 50.7 yards a game through six games. His only touchdown has been through the air (1). Thayer Thomas has been the primary target in the Wolfpack’s passing game. He has two touchdowns and a 45.6 yard per game average through seven appearances.
HOME AND AWAY
Virginia Tech has yet to earn a win away from Lane Stadium/Worsham Field this season in three games. North Carolina State is unbeaten at home this season.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
NC State (-550)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
