NC State opens as underdog ahead of trip to Georgia Tech
After its final open weekend of the 2024 season, NC State is set to begin a two-game road trip to close the campaign. The Wolfpack, which is coming off a 29-19 loss to Duke, will trek to Georgia Tech as a dark horse to win on Thursday night in Atlanta.
The Pack is an 8-point underdog against the Yellow Jackets, according to Action Network. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.
NC State, however, is just 2-8 against the spread this season. The Wolfpack was a 33.5-point favorite in Week 1 against Western Carolina (it won by 17) and it was a 9.5-underdog against Tennessee (it lost by 41). The Pack was also a .20.5-point favorite against Louisiana Tech (it won by 10), a 17-point underdog at Clemson (a 24-point loss), a 4.5-point favorite against Wake Forest (a 4-point loss) and a 1-point favorite against Syracuse (a 7-point loss). NC State covered as a 9.5-point underdog in a 24-23 win and as a 10-point favorite in its 59-28 win over Stanford.
Georgia Tech, meanwhile, is 5-4-1 against the spread. The Yellow Jackets have covered three times at home, including its 5-point win over then-No. 4 Miami as a 10.5-point underdog. The team also beat Georgia State 35-12 as a 20.5-point favorite and VMI 59-7 as a 44.5-point favorite inside Bobby Dodd Stadium this season.
Freshman quarterback CJ Bailey is 146-of-226 passing for 1,794 yards with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions this season to pace the Wolfpack offense. He also has taken 17 sacks, while averaging 7.9 yards per completion in his first year of college football.
The Wolfpack’s rushing attack has been paced by graduate Jordan Waters, who has 82 carries for 400 yards and four touchdowns, while sophomore running back Kendrick Raphael has added 56 carries for 293 yards and three scores. Redshirt freshman Hollywood Smothers has chipped in with 54 attempts for 270 yards and a trio of touchdowns.
While the running game has been slow going for the most part this season, NC State’s receiving corps has been busy. Junior tight end Justin Joly leads that group with 565 yards and three touchdowns on 34 receptions, while sophomore wideout Kevin “KC” Concepcion has 47 catches for 395 yards and five touchdowns. Redshirt freshman wide receiver Noah Rogers is the only other player with more than 300 yards through the air with 27 receptions for 365 yards and a touchdown this fall.
The Pack’s defense, meanwhile, has been led by redshirt junior linebacker Sean Brown’s 73 total tackles, including three sacks, while senior safety DK Kaufman has 58 total stops. Junior cornerback Devon Marshall leads the defense with six passes defended and is tied with senior safety Bishop Fitzgerald for the team lead with two interceptions.
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