NC State vs Georgia Tech: College Football Week 13 Preview, Odds, and Predictions

The ACC will be in the spotlight on Thursday, November 21, 2024, as the NC State Wolfpack visit the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in a crucial Week 13 matchup. Georgia Tech, with a record of 6-4, is already bowl-eligible, while NC State, at 5-5, needs one more win to secure their postseason spot.

The game is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field in Atlanta, Georgia, and will be broadcast live on ESPN. Georgia Tech is favored by 9 points, with the moneyline odds standing at -331 for the Yellow Jackets and +263 for the Wolfpack. The over/under is set at 51.5 points.

NC State has had a disappointing season, marked by inconsistency on offense and defensive vulnerabilities. Despite their struggles, the Wolfpack have managed to cover the spread in two of their last three games. However, they face a tough challenge against a Georgia Tech team that is riding high after a significant upset over then-No. 4 Miami. In that game, Georgia Tech rushed for 271 yards, led by quarterback Haynes King and running back Jamal Haynes.

Haynes King, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury, is expected to be closer to full health after the bye week. He and Jamal Haynes form a potent rushing duo, with King having 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns in his last two games, and Haynes leading the team with 681 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. This combination could exploit NC State’s defense, which has allowed 19 rushing touchdowns this season.

Despite Georgia Tech’s strong performance against Miami, there is a concern about a potential letdown, as the Yellow Jackets are just 4-7 against the spread (ATS) following a straight-up victory since the start of last season. NC State, meanwhile, has been better against the run but struggles significantly against the pass, which could be an area Georgia Tech looks to exploit.

Betting trends suggest that 59% of Covers Consensus users are backing NC State on the spread, while 61% are taking the Over. The model at SportsLine is leaning towards the Over and has generated a point-spread pick that hits in almost 60% of simulations.