Stanford vs NC State Picks and Prediction – 11/2/2024

On Saturday, the Stanford Cardinal (2-6) face off against the NC State Wolfpack (4-4) at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina. Get the rest of our free college football picks here!

NC State comes into this matchup on a one-game winning streak, but has dropped three of their last five games. Two weeks ago, in a closely contested 24-23 victory against California, quarterback CJ Bailey showcased an impressive performance for the Wolfpack. He completed 25 of 36 passes, amassing 306 yards and securing two touchdowns. So far this season, Bailey has accumulated 1,376 passing yards. On the ground, running back Kendrick Raphael has contributed 287 rushing yards, while tight end Justin Joly has been a significant target in the air, gaining 447 receiving yards. However, NC State has struggled defensively in recent games, conceding an average of 31.4 points over their last five matchups. This defensive performance has left them languishing near the bottom of the Atlantic Coast Conference standings. Despite these challenges, Stanford aims to continue their winning momentum and improve their overall record. Offensively, the Wolfpack is averaging 26 points per game.

Stanford enters this game on a five-game losing streak. In a closely contested game ending in a 27-24 defeat against Wake Forest, Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels put up a solid performance, completing 24 of his 31 passes for a total of 214 yards, and managing to throw one touchdown. Over the course of this season, Daniels has accumulated a notable 727 passing yards, along with 298 rushing yards, showcasing his dual-threat capability. Meanwhile, wide receiver Elic Ayomanor has emerged as a key target, amassing 388 receiving yards for the Cardinal. Unfortunately, Stanford finds itself in a challenging position, having lost the last five games. During this slump, they have struggled defensively, allowing opponents to score an average of 37.4 points per game. This defensive vulnerability has contributed to their low standing within the Atlantic Coast Conference. As the team travels to face another similarly struggling ACC rival, they are eager to end their losing streak and secure a much-needed conference victory on the road. On the offensive side, Stanford averages 19.5 points per game, indicating room for improvement in their scoring ability.

Both teams are currently positioned at the lower end of the Atlantic Coast Conference rankings and aim to build some positive momentum as they progress through the season. NC State has a 1-3 record in conference games, whereas Stanford has managed to secure just one victory in five games in their conference matchups. NC State’s offense will look to take advantage of Stanford’s depleted defense in this one. Final Score Prediction, NC State Wolfpack win and cover the spread, 34-21.