Wake Forest vs NC State Prediction Football Picks Today 9/11/25

In this article we will formulate a Wake Forest vs NC State prediction for this College Football game on Thursday, September 11th at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week 3 matchup. 

Wake Forest Demon Deacons Betting Preview

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons are 2-0 (0-0) this year after they defeated Western Carolina by a score of 42-10 last week. Wake Forest led 21-0 after the first quarter, but they failed to score in the second and led 21-3 at the half. The Demon Deacons scored 21 more points in the third quarter and cruised to the blowout win in the fourth. Wake Forest out gained WCU by a total of 542-238, went 4-10 on third down conversions, and lost the turnover battle by a total of 3-2 in the win. Robby Ashford went 13-22 for 227 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while Demond Claiborne had 10 carries for 193 yards and three scores in the win. Chris Barnes led the receivers with six catches for 149 yards in the game. 

Wake Forest opened the season with a 10-9 win over Kennesaw State in week one. The Demon Deacons are averaging 26.0 points per game with 243.5 passing yards and 201.5 rushing yards per game, while they are allowing 9.5 points against per game this season. Robby Ashford has completed 66% of his passes for 445 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while Chris Barnes has caught nine passes for 172 yards this year. Demond Claiborne is the leading rusher with 13 carries for 212 yards and three scores. 

NC State Wolfpack Betting Preview

The NC State Wolfpack are 2-0 (0-0) this season after they defeated Virginia by a score of 35-31 in their last game. NC State trailed 14-7 after the first quarter and they were down 24-14 at halftime. The Wolfpack did lead 35-31 at the end of the third, but they failed to score in the fourth and needed a huge stop in the red zone to seal the win. NC State was out gained by a total of 514-416, went 1-7 on third downs, and won the turnover battle by a total of 1-0. CJ Bailey went 16-23 for 200 yards and one touchdown, while Hollywood Smothers rushed 17 times for 140 yards and two scores in the win. Terrell Anderson caught three passes for 44 yards to lead the receivers. 

NC State defeated East Carolina by a score of 24-17 in week one, which is another game that came down to the final possession. The Wolfpack are averaging 29.5 points per game with 259.0 passing yards and 160.5 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 24.0 points against per game this season. CJ Bailey has completed 70.2% of his passes for 518 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, while Wesley Grimes has caught six passes for 154 yards and one score this season. Hollywood Smothers is the leading rusher with 216 yards and three touchdowns on 39 carries. 

Wake Forest Demon Deacons Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 3, Demond Claiborne ranks 1st amongst qualified players for Yards Per Carry (16.3) this season.

NC State Wolfpack Player Prop Facts

• Hollywood Smothers has recorded 75+ rushing yards in five consecutive games – equal-longest streak in the FBS, heading into Week 3.

Matchup/League Facts

• Wake Forest ranks T134th among FBS teams for Q2 points per game this season (0.0).
• Wake Forest ranks T131st among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (40.0).
• Two of NC State’s two games this season have been decided by a margin of seven points or less – equal-most amongst FBS teams.
• NC State ranks T1st among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage this season (100.0).

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Wake Forest vs NC State Prediction 

Both of these teams come into this battle with 2-0 records on the season, but they have been far from perfect. Wake Forest nearly lost to Kennesaw State in week one, while NC State nearly lost to ECU and probably should have lost to Virginia last week. I don’t trust either one of these teams, but with NC State playing in two very close games and their defense looking suspect, I like Wake Forest with the points.