East Carolina Pirates vs NC State Wolfpack Prediction, 8/28/2025 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: East Carolina Pirates vs NC State Wolfpack

Date: Thursday, August 28, 2025

Location: Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC

TV: ESPN/ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Wolfpack (-14.0)

Total/Over-Under: 61.5

The NC State Wolfpack (6-7 last year) will try to beat the East Carolina Pirates (8-5 last season) at Carter-Finley Stadium on Thursday, August 28, 2025. NC State opens this contest as 4-point favorites. The total has been set at 61.5.

The East Carolina Pirates ended the year having a 8-5 record. In their last matchup, the Pirates faced the NC State Wolfpack and went home with a win by a final score of 26-21. Overall, they ran 68 plays which gave them 473 yards. The East Carolina Pirates ran the ball 39 times and totaled 326 yards, which had them averaging 8.4 yards per carry. Against the run, the Pirates conceded 198 yards on 35 attempts, which is an average of 5.7 yards per rush surrendered. East Carolina gave up 19 completions on 26 attempts for 230 yds, and a completion percentage of 73.1%.

The Pirates earned 5,673 total yards last season. East Carolina amassed 26 passing touchdowns and 23 touchdowns via the ground. They surrendered the football 30 different times. East Carolina compiled 286 1st downs as a team, and they were flagged for 99 penalties for 827 yds. Offensively they averaged 172.4 yds via the ground game, ranking this team 50th in D-1. When it comes to putting points on the board, the East Carolina Pirates averaged 32.0 PPG.

The Pirates were sitting in 83rd in Division 1 regarding their opponents scoring, allowing 27.3 points per game. Opposing teams ran for an average of 4.1 yards per rush and 169.8 rushing yards per contest over the course of last season. For the season, they gave up 2,207 yards via the ground game in 13 games. Concerning yards through the air, the Pirates gave up 3,059 yards which put them in 104th in Division 1. During their 13 games, they allowed 235.3 yards per game via the pass and allowed a completion percentage of 59.9%. They surrendered 405.2 yards/game which had them ranked 100th in Division 1. They surrendered 23 passing touchdowns and 21 touchdowns on the ground.

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The Wolfpack ended the season with a 6-7 mark. In their last game, the Wolfpack walked away with a loss by a score of 26-21 when they faced the East Carolina Pirates. NC State rushed the ball for 5.7 yards per carry, finishing the game with 198 yds on 35 attempts. The Wolfpack finished the game with a total of 428 yds while they ran 61 plays (7.0 yds per play). The Wolfpack passing defense allowed a completion rate of 62.1%, relinquishing 147 yards on 18 for 29 passing. NC State surrendered 39 run attempts for 326 yards (8.4 yards per rush).

When looking at how much they scored, the Wolfpack ranked 62nd in the country with a maintained average of 28.5 points per game. The NC State Wolfpack averaged 377.8 yards per outing, ranking them 75th in college football. The NC State offense accrued 621 yds of penalties on 66 infractions, which had them sitting 100th in D-1 in terms of giving up free yards. They gave away 13 picks while surrendering 10 fumbles and they obtained 263 1st downs. Last year, the Wolfpack had a total of 3,024 yards through the air along with averaging 232.6 passing yards per contest, ranking them 58th in the nation. They held an average of 145.2 run yards per game and ran for 1,888 yards for last year.

NC State conceded a total of 2,041 yards via the ground game (157.0 yards per game) in addition to 25 touchdowns by way of the ground game last season. They conceded 20 touchdowns through the air in addition to 233.8 yards per outing, which had them sitting 93rd in college football. They earned 10 fumbles recovered and 10 picks for the prior year. The Wolfpack defense took part in 848 plays, which was good for 66th in the nation. The Wolfpack relinquished 30.2 points per game, which had them in 103rd in the nation. In total, they relinquished 393 points in total.

Who will win tonight's Pirates/Wolfpack college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Pirates +14.0

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