ACC Title Odds and Picks
July 30, 2024CFB Futures – 2024 Nebraska Cornhuskers Win Total Odds
July 30, 2024Only once in the nearly 120-year history of North Carolina State Wolfpack football has the program recorded more than 10 wins in a season. Oh they’ve been close a number of times, especially recently under coach Dave Doeren winning nine games last year and reaching that number four times in the last seven seasons. The Pack went over their win total of seven last season and oddsmakers at BetMGM took notice adjusting the 2024 total to 8.5. That’s right in line with what the Pack has done over the years winning at least eight regular season games in each of the past four years. Another season means another quarterback with transfer Grayson McCall to take over an offense that has potential to be good.
Regular Season Wins for the NC State Wolfpack
Over 8.5 ( -130 )
Under 8.5 ( +110 )
Under Doeren NC State has been really good, just not great. They’ve put together nine winning seasons in the last 10 but have still yet to reach the lofty heights of the 2002 squad that set a program record with 11 victories. It’s been enough to keep fans in Raleigh amused with the program and Doeren employed, but at some point getting to the next level has to be the goal. Of teams that have been members of the ACC for years, NC State is one of two that have yet to play in the conference title game.
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Roster
Last year played out in typical NC State fashion. The Pack entered the season with high expectations and were close to hitting double figure wins and reaching that elusive ACC Championship game. They closed the regular season winning five straight games taking out Clemson, Miami and North Carolina among them. However, a loss to Louisville when they scored just 10 points was the difference as they finished third in the standings. And with a chance to win a 10th game they faltered against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, their fourth straight bowl setback.
It’s back to the drawing board for the offense with major plans of overhauling a running game that that had a QB and receiver as its yardage leaders. Overall the group did enough to win games by limiting mistakes but it lacked firepower and relied on the defense. Three times last year the Pack failed to reach the 20-point mark and they went 0-3 in those games. To address the issues the Pack hit the portal landing Coastal Carolina transfer Grayson McCall to direct the offense and former Duke back Jordan Waters to elevate the ground attack.
McCall put the Chanticleers on the college football map with three glorious seasons between 2020 and 2022 completing more than 70 percent of his passes with 77 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. During that time his record as CCU’s starter was 29-4. He has a bona fide star to throw to in Kevin Concepcion, who caught 71 balls for 839 yards and 10 scores a season ago. He had 43 more receptions than the team’s second-leading pass catcher. Expect running backs to do their job this season with Waters the likely workhorse. He rushed for nearly 1,400 yards and 10 TDs the last two seasons at ACC rival Duke.
The biggest question is, can a defense that was so good last season replace several key pieces and continue to perform at a high level? If it can and the offense is just a little bit better at controlling the football, the Pack has a shot to finally reach the ACC title game. Those are big ifs, though. The Pack ranked among the top 30 nationally against the run, in total defense and fewest points allowed. They also had the fourth-most interceptions and were third-best on third downs.
Schedule
The early part of the schedule has major tests with Tennessee and Clemson all in the first four weeks. A second straight win over Dabo’s group puts the Pack in a good spot for not only a conference title but also 10 wins. They miss some of the ACC’s best with Florida State, Louisville, Miami and Virginia off the docket, but they have to avoid the inexplicable setbacks that have cost them in the past.
Prediction
I really want to say this team can win nine games and that number is right in the Pack’s wheel house over the years under Doeren. It’s hard to rebuild on both sides of the ball, which the Pack is doing through the portal. A number of key players need to be replaced on defense and you can’t expect them to rank so highly again in interceptions and on third-down. The offense should be good enough to pick up some of the slack and another strong close like in 2023 will get NC State OVER the college football futures win total.
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