Week 3: NC State vs Texas Tech 9/17/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The NC State Wolfpack and Texas Tech Red Raiders square off Saturday in week 3 college football action from Carter-Finley Stadium.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders will look to build on their 33-30 win in overtime over Houston last time out. Donovan Smith has thrown for 572 yards, 6 rouchdowns and 3 INTs on 67.6% passing while Tyler Shough’s thrown for 154 yards and a score on 60% passing. Tahj Brooks leads Texas Tech’s ground attack with 130 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns this season. Jerand Bradley leads the Red Raiders with 12 grabs for 158 yards while three more Red Raider receivers have at least 100 receiving yards this season. On defense, Krishon Merriweather has a team-high 15 total tackles while Philip Blidi has a pair of sacks and Reggie Pearson Jr. has an INT as well this season.

The NC State Wolfpack will hope to build on their 55-3 dismantling of Charleston Southern last time out. Devin Leary’s thrown for 449 yards, 5 touchdowns and a pick on 56.9% passing while Demie Sumo-Karngbaye leads NC State with 149 rushing yards this season. Thayer Thomas and Jordan Houston each have a team-high 72 receiving yards this season. On defense, Derrek Pitts Jr. and Tanner Ingle each have a team-high 11 total tackles while Tyler Baker-Williams has a pair of interceptions and a sack.

Texas Tech is 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a win and 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following an ATS loss while the over is 4-0 in their last 4 games in September. NC State is 11-3 ATS in their last 14 home games and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following an ATS win while the over is 4-0 in their last 4 games against the Big 12.

I can understand a case to be made either way here, but I’m looking at the over in this one. Despite NC State’s shortcomings in week one against East Carolina, this is still a solid offensive unit with one of the countries best QBs in Devin Leary and I think he’ll move the ball well on the Red Raiders defense but I also think that Texas Tech will have some success and big plays against NC State’s defense. Give me the over here in a 35-31 kind of game.