The NC State Wolfpack and the East Carolina Pirates play in the Military Bowl on December 28, 2024.

The Wolfpack are significant favorites (-7) in their game against the Pirates, with the over/under being 60.5 points. (On the moneyline, the Wolfpack are -258 and the Pirates are +211.)

Keep reading for our preview for this this game between the Wolfpack and the Pirates, and uncover all of our expert picks here, too!

NC State vs. East Carolina betting lines

• Spread favorite: Wolfpack (-7)
• Moneyline: Wolfpack (-258), Pirates (+211)
• Total: 60.5 points
• TV Channel: ESPN
• Live Stream: Fubo

NC State vs. East Carolina betting info and stats

NC State is 4-7-0 against the spread in 11 opportunities so far this season. NC State is 1-2 ATS when favored by at least 7 points. In five games as a moneyline favorite, NC State is 3-2. East Carolina has won five games against the spread this season (5-5-1). When East Carolina is an underdog of 7 points or more, it has not yet covered the spread. East Carolina has been moneyline underdogs five times this year, going 2-3 in those games.

NC State vs. East Carolina recent stats and trends

NC State Wolfpack

• NC State has covered the spread twice in its last three matchups while putting up a 1-2 record straight-up in those games.
• The final combined score of the last three NC State games has exceeded the set total twice.
• The last three NC State games averaged 52.5 total points, 8.0 fewer points than this matchup’s over/under.

East Carolina Pirates

• East Carolina is 1-2 against the spread in its past three games, and has a 1-2 straight-up record in those matchups.
• The final combined score of the past three East Carolina games has surpassed the set total twice.
• East Carolina’s past three games have ended with an average of 63.7 points scored. That’s 3.2 more points than this contest’s over/under.

NC State vs. East Carolina key players

NC State Wolfpack

• CJ Bailey has thrown for 2,183 yards (181.9 ypg) to lead NC State, completing 64.1% of his passes and recording 14 touchdown passes compared to nine interceptions this season. He’s also contributed in the ground game with 255 rushing yards on 88 carries with five rushing touchdowns.
• The team’s top rusher, Jordan Waters, has carried the ball 91 times for 444 yards (40.4 per game), scoring four times. He’s also caught 14 passes for 160 yards and one touchdown.
• Daylan Smothers has been handed the ball 74 times this year and racked up 432 yards (39.3 per game) with six touchdowns. He’s also contributed in the pass game with 17 grabs for 221 yards and one touchdown.
• Justin Joly’s team-high 620 yards as a receiver have come on 40 catches (out of 52 targets) with three touchdowns.
• Kevin Concepcion has hauled in 53 receptions totaling 460 yards, finding the end zone six times as a receiver so far this campaign.
• Noah Rogers has racked up 30 catches for 419 yards, an average of 34.9 yards per game. He’s scored one time as a receiver this season.
• Davin Vann leads the team with 6.5 sacks, and also has 8.0 TFL and 36 tackles.
• Sean Brown is the team’s top-tackler this year. He’s amassed 67 tackles, 5.0 TFL, and three sacks.
• Bishop Fitzgerald has picked off a team-leading three passes. He also has 41 tackles, 5.0 TFL, and three passes defended to his name.

East Carolina Pirates

• Katin Houser leads East Carolina with 1,859 yards on 131-of-216 passing with 18 touchdowns compared to nine interceptions this season.
• Rahjai Harris has rushed for 946 yards on 189 carries so far this year while scoring 10 times on the ground.
• London Montgomery has racked up 64 carries and totaled 343 yards with two touchdowns.
• Anthony Smith has hauled in 767 receiving yards on 38 receptions to pace his squad so far this season while scoring six touchdowns as a receiver.
• Chase Sowell has put up a 678-yard season so far with three touchdowns. He’s caught 34 passes on 58 targets.
• Winston Wright’s 54 grabs (on 73 targets) have netted him 556 yards (50.5 ypg) and eight touchdowns.
• Elijah Morris leads the team with 4.0 sacks, and also has 4.0 TFL and 26 tackles.
• Omar Rogers is the team’s top-tackler this year. He’s amassed 85 tackles, 4.0 TFL, one sack, and one interception.
• Gavin Gibson leads the team with three interceptions, while also collecting 44 tackles, 4.0 TFL, and three passes defended.