NC State Faces California in Tight ACC Matchup

In a compelling cross-country matchup, the NC State Wolfpack travels to Berkeley, California, to face the California Golden Bears on Saturday. Both teams are coming off tough losses and are still seeking their first Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) win of the season. The game, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, will be aired on the ACC Network.

NC State, with a record of 3-4 and 0-3 in the ACC, faces uncertainty at the quarterback position. Grayson McCall, their starting quarterback, sustained a head injury during the team’s recent loss to Wake Forest. His status remains uncertain for this weekend’s game. In his absence, backup quarterback C.J. Bailey showed solid performance by completing 28 of 42 passes for 272 yards, including two touchdowns and one interception. McCall also missed out on their 24-17 defeat against Syracuse, adding to their challenges this season.

On the other side, California holds a 3-3 record, with all three losses coming in conference play. They boast a strong defensive lineup, allowing an average of just 333.7 total yards per game. Their defense, which permits 216.5 passing yards and 117.2 rushing yards per game, has been instrumental despite their narrow 39-38 loss to Miami and a recent 17-15 loss at Pittsburgh.

Experts are advising a bet on the game’s total score to go under 46.5 points, given California’s defensive capabilities and NC State’s uncertainties on offense. With California’s defense on a favorable streak, and considering the challenges posed by a long flight from Raleigh to Oakland for NC State, the game is anticipated to be low-scoring.

Sports bettors have noted that the under has prevailed in five of the last six games for California. Despite the teams’ struggles, the defensive showcase could be a significant factor in the final outcome of this matchup.

The matchup forms part of an extensive slate of college football games including contests like Alabama vs Tennessee and Michigan vs Illinois among others. NC State’s performance against California could impact their prospects for the remaining season, as they strive to overcome their current challenges.