Week 3 kicks off on Thursday night as the NC State Wolfpack visit the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in ACC play.
With this being a short week and the first true road test for NC State, the situational spot is more fortuitous for Wake Forest.
Read on for my NC State vs. Wake Forest predictions and college football picks for Thursday, September 11.
NC State vs Wake Forest predictions
Here are our early thoughts on the spread and total for this week’s game. We will have a full game preview (with a best bet and SGP) later in the week.
Early NC State vs Wake Forest spread pick: Wake Forest +7.5
This is a tough spot for both teams, playing on a quick turnaround on Thursday night against an ACC opponent. It’s especially difficult for the NC State Wolfpack, who are coming off a hard-fought 35-31 win over Virginia and now have to hit the road.
The Wolfpack have already played in two trying contests. First, they got off to an early lead against ECU before allowing them to creep back in the second half. Then, they trailed Virginia 24-14 at halftime, rallied back, and intercepted Chandler Morris in the end zone to secure a nail-biter.
What’s next? The Wolfpack face the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on short rest in Winston-Salem, then hit the road to face Duke the following week.
That contrasts with Wake, which has beaten Kennesaw State and Western Carolina and has a bye week on deck.
After looking humane in the opener, the Demon Deacons blew the doors off Western Carolina last week, led by Demond Claiborne (193 rushing yards and three scores), who will look to find room against a suspect Wolfpack defense that just surrendered 257 yards (on 8.0 yards per rush) and three scores on the ground to Virginia.
Early NC State vs Wake Forest total pick: Under 54.5
At first glance, you’d expect points in this matchup because NC State has been terrific offensively (6.6 yards per play) but poor defensively (6.2). To be fair, though, the Wolfpack have faced two offensively-minded teams to start the year and did hold one of them to 17 points.
Although Claiborne, one of the best tailbacks in the nation, will get his at some point, Wake’s offense hasn’t proven that it can consistently move the chains (89th in success rate). The offensive line isn’t getting much push (118th in line yards, 111th in run-blocking grade per PFF) and allows defenders to get into the backfield (125th in front seven havoc).
With a shaky quarterback in Robby Ashford (12 TDs and 10 interceptions in his career), coach Jake Dickert isn’t expected to push the tempo. Although the defense has played two cupcakes, it has still played well (eighth in success rate), which is all you can ask for.
These teams have cashed the Under in three of their last four meetings in Winston-Salem, a venue that's given NC State fits in the last couple of years.
NC State vs Wake Forest odds
- NC State vs. Wake Forest spread: Wake Forest +7.5
- NC State vs. Wake Forest moneyline: NC State -255, Wake Forest +205
- NC State vs. Wake Forest Over/Under: 54.5
How to watch NC State vs Wake Forest
- NC State vs. Wake Forest matchup
- Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025, 7:30 p.m. ET
- City: Winston-Salem, SC
- Venue: Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium
- TV: ESPN
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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