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NC State swells to double-digit favorite heading into bout with Virginia Tech

image_6483441 (3)by: Noah Fleischman09/23/25fleischman_noah
CJ Bailey
Sep 20, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarter back CJ Bailey (11) runs the ball against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

Although NC State is coming off its first loss of the 2025 campaign, the Wolfpack is favored for the fourth time this fall as Virginia Tech is set to visit Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday night (7 p.m., The CW). 

The point spread opened at 7.5, but has quickly moved to a 10.5-point advantage for the Wolfpack, according to BetMGM.

NC State, this fall, is 2-2 against the spread. The Pack covered in its win over Virginia (35-31, -3,) and in its victory at Wake Forest (34-24, -7) in Weeks 2 and 3. But NC State didn’t do so in the opener against East Carolina (won 24-17, -13.5) and in last weekend’s loss at Duke (45-33, +3.5). 

Now, the Wolfpack is looking to rebound against the Hokies, which are currently without a full-time head coach. Virginia Tech fired coach Brent Pry after losing to Old Dominion in Week 3, promoting offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery to interim, who guided the Hokies to a 38-6 win over Wofford this past weekend.

Virginia Tech is 0-4 against the spread this season. The Hokies have yet to cover the points as they lost to South Carolina (24-11, +6.5), Vanderbilt (44-20, -2.5) and ODU (45-26, -5.5), while the team just missed the spread against Wofford (-34.5). 

As NC State prepares to host Virginia Tech, the Wolfpack has won the past two meetings after it lost the previous five. Pack coach Dave Doeren is 2-2 all time against the Hokies, but earned victories over Virginia Tech in 2022 (22-21 in Raleigh) and 2023 (35-28 in Blacksburg). 

The Wolfpack is led by sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey, who has thrown for 1,083 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions, while he has added 93 rushing yards and three more scores.

On the ground, meanwhile, redshirt sophomore Hollywood Smothers is the engine that powers the unit. He has rushed for an ACC-best 503 yards with four touchdowns on 80 carries. Redshirt freshman Duke Scott has added 101 yards on 26 attempts as his backup. 

While NC State’s rushing attack has been near-elite, the Wolfpack’s receiving corps has been balanced and effective. The Pack has six pass catchers that have logged at least 100 yards through the first four weeks: sophomore Terrell Anderson (15 receptions, 273 yards, 2 touchdowns), senior Wesley Grimes (173 yards, a touchdown), redshirt sophomore Noah Rogers (157 yards, a touchdown), senior tight end Justin Joly (153 yards, two touchdowns), sophomore Keenan Jackson (153 yards, a touchdown) and freshman Teddy Hoffmann (104 yards).

Defensively, NC State’s veteran linebackers Sean Brown and Caden Fordham, two captains, have led the Wolfpack with 39 and 37 total tackles, respectively. Brown is tied for the ACC lead in total stops, while Fordham is closely behind in third. 

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