After a hard-fought 24-17 victory over Northern Illinois, NC State football dives into the heart of its ACC schedule, beginning with Tobacco Road rival Wake Forest. Here are some favorable bets for the matchup.

NC State (-4) vs. Wake Forest

Through its first five matchups of the season, NC State is 0-5 against the spread but finds itself in a favorable position to change that on Saturday. Wake Forest arrives in the City of Oaks with a 1-3 record, with its one win coming against North Carolina A&T, an FCS team. The Wolfpack has held strong in Carter-Finley, winning eight of its last 10 home matchups against the Demon Deacons.

NC State has won its three games by an average of over 11 points per game, but to be fair, none of those wins were against Power Four schools. The Wake Forest defense has allowed over 30 points per game thus far, creating a favorable matchup for the Wolfpack.

Pick: NC State -4 (-110)

Over/Under

Wake Forest averages nearly 30 points a game, but NC State is coming off its best defensive performance of the season, forcing four turnovers and holding Northern Illinois to just 17 points. By all means, Wake Forest isn’t considered a defensive team, but NC State hasn’t exactly been the offensive juggernaut it was projected to be either, averaging 27.4 points per game.

The Wolfpack have struggled in recent weeks to create offensive consistency, showcased by its season-high eight punts against Northern Illinois. If the last game was any sort of hint to this weekend’s matchup, we’ll see a slower, more defensive game with more turnovers and punts than usual. Wake Forest’s offensive attack has been heavily suppressed in its last two matchups against NC State, getting held to six points in 2023 and 21 points in 2022.

Between NC State’s offensive struggles, its defensive resurgence and Wake Forest’s history in Carter-Finley, look for the under to hit.

Pick: Under 52.5 points (-112)

Touchdown prop

Freshman quarterback CJ Bailey has been the biggest surprise of the 2024 season. Bailey was thrust into the spotlight after graduate quarterback Grayson McCall went down with an injury and is now set to make his third career start. Obviously, it takes time for a quarterback and pass catcher to build chemistry, and Bailey looks more comfortable in the offense with each game started.

Through his three starts, Bailey has completed 42 of his 65 pass attempts for two pass touchdowns and two interceptions. He completed his first eight passes against Clemson and has shown his ability to create plays with his legs. The NC State rushing attack has been inconsistent and unreliable. In a match against such a weak defense, look for NC State to rely on its passing attack to lead the offense.

Pick: CJ Bailey 2+ passing touchdowns (-120)

Yardage prop

NC State will most likely rely on its pass attack given that the ground game is so ineffective. Wake Forest will certainly be planning and focusing on sophomore wide receiver KC Concepcion, making way for junior tight end Justin Joly to become a reliable target for Bailey. Joly has averaged 48 yards per game in his five games at NC State, while also averaging over 52 yards a game last season at UConn. Joly has the second-most receiving yards on the roster and could be in for a big game against Wake Forest.

Pick: Justin Joly over 38 yards (-115)