Week 1: East Carolina vs NC State 9/3/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The East Carolina Pirates and NC State Wolfpack clash Saturday night in week 1 of college football action at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. The NC State Wolfpack won 9 games last year and enter the 10th season under coach Dave Doeren. The East Carolina Pirates won 7 games last year and enter the fourth season under coach Mike Houston.

The NC State Wolfpack averaged 33.1 points and 414.6 yards per game last season. NC State allowed an average of 19.7 points and 330.8 yards per game last season. Devin Leary returns at quarterback after throwing for 3,400 yards, 35 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Thayer Thomas and Devin Carter are a returning receiving duo that combined for 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns, while Jordan Houston had 83 rushing yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Drake Thomas returns after leading NC State with 99 tackles, Davin Vann had 4 sacks and Tyler Baker-Williams had 2 interceptions. Leary has been pegged as the ACC Player of the Year before the season, and he has enough around him to build on last year’s efforts. Clemson and others get more respect nationally, but this could be the year NC State pushes for an ACC title. Do not sleep on the Wolfpack this season. 

The East Carolina Pirates averaged 29.7 points and 433.2 yards per game last season. East Carolina allowed an average of 26.3 points and 393.5 yards per game last season. Holton Ahlers returns at quarterback after throwing for 3,100 yards, 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. C.J. Johnson and Ryan Jones are a returning receiving duo that combined for 900 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Keaton Mitchell led the Pirates with almost 1,100 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns. Defensively, Myles Berry returns after 53 tackles, Jeremy Lewis led East Carolina with 4 sacks and Malik Fleming had 2 interceptions. ECU returns its quarterback and one of the top running backs in the AAC. If East Carolina can be a little more consistent on the defensive side, there’s potential to put itself in the thick of the conference race. Of course, this is a massive measuring stick game to see exactly where East Carolina measures up.

The Wolfpack are 5-13 ATS in their last 18 road games and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. AAC. The Pirates are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. ACC and 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall. The over is 7-3 in Wolfpack last 10 games overall. The under is 5-2 in Pirates last 7 games overall. The home team is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings.

The East Carolina Pirates has the playmakers on offense to make a game of this, but it’s the other side of the ball that raises questions. I’m also very high on NC State and could truly see the Wolfpack competing for an ACC crown this season. I’d need closer to two full touchdowns to give ECU a real look here. NC State is loaded on both sides of the ball, folks. Give me NC State in a comfortable road victory.