NC State Wolfpack at East Carolina Pirates Betting Preview/Prop Picks

Time: 12:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: NC State 93.744; East Carolina 88.879
Dunkel Line & Total: NC State by 5; 61
Vegas Line & Total: NC State by 11 ½; 54 ½
Dunkel Pick: East Carolina (+11 ½); Over

The NC State Wolfpack and East Carolina Pirates meet for the first time since 2019 as the two programs renew their instate rivalry on Saturday in Greenville, NC.

NC State is coming off a 9-3 season in 2021 and expectations are high for coach Dave Doeren’s team with much of that talent returning, including ACC Preseason Player of the Year Devin Leary at QB.

East Carolina is also coming off a strong season that saw the Pirates win seven games and earn a trip to the Military Bowl that ended up getting cancelled due to a covid outbreak inside the Boston College squad.

Vegas has the Wolfpack listed as 11.5-point favorites on the road against the Pirates. 

WolfPack Loaded On Both Sides

NC State looks to be explosive on the offensive end behind QB Leary, who threw for 35 TDs last year against only five INTs. Besides being ACC Preseason Player of the Year, Leary is on the watchlist for most of the national offensive awards, including Manning and Maxwell. He also has the comfort of lining up behind an offensive line that returns four starters.

When the Wolfpack are not moving the ball on offense, coach Doeren can turn to an experienced defense that has 10 returning starts. Last year, NC State’s unit finished second in the nation in pass defense, holding pass attacks under 53 percent completion rate.

PIrates Bring Back Experience At QB

Quaterback play should also be a strength of East Carolina, which brings back fifth-year starter Holton Aylers. Last year, Ahlers threw for over 3,100 yards and connected on 18 TD tosses. He also pitched in with six TDs on the ground and added a TD reception as well.

After struggling on the defensive end, Pirates coach Mike Houston did finally get more out of that unit last year. He lost two key contributors, including Ja’Quan McMillian now with the Broncos, but does bring back a solid core from last season.

NC State Survives On The Road

The Wolfpack own an 18-13 edge in this season and have take the last two contests by a combined margin of 92-9. However, when the game has been played in Greenville or a neutral site destination, the Pirates own a 5-1 mark.

ECU has also been strong under Houston as a double-digit underdog with a 10-2 ATS record.

NC State should be able to move the ball well behind Leary and put up enough points to pull out the win push the final score OVER the Vegas total of 54 ½. But look for the Pirates to keep the margin within the Vegas line of -11.5.

Dunkel’s Pick: East Carolina (+11 ½); Over

Prop Picks

NC State (-110) OVER 31.5 Points

NC State averaged 32.0 points per game on offense last season, which ranked No. 29 in FBS. Scores went OVER in seven of the Wolfpack’s last 10 games overall.

With Dunkel predicting an NC State win by the score of 33-28, take the Wolfpack (-110) to finish OVER their Vegas team total of 31.5 points against the Pirates.

Holton Aylers (-115) OVER 231.5 Passing Yards

East Carolina averaged 274.0 passing yards per game last season on offense, which ranked No. 22 in FBS. NC State allowed 217.0 passing yards per game last season on defense, which ranked No. 43 in FBS. That average increased to 267.2 yards per game on the road.

With Dunkel predicting the final score going OVER the Vegas point total, take Ayers (-115) to finish OVER 231.5 passing yards versus NC State.

All Media on this page by Associated Press.