by NC State OVER 6.5 wins (-152)
Confidence level: 8/10
We are now nine days away from college football kickoff and it’s officially time to cook in the gambling cave. For the next week, I will be giving out one team win total future bet per day. Without further ado, let’s jump right into it.
Head coach Dave Doeren is entering his 11th season at the helm in Raleigh and has regularly produced 7-, 8-, and 9-win seasons despite never reaching a conference title game. In fact, NC State has failed to reach 7+ wins in a season just twice under Doeren, with one being his first year leading the Wolfpack. So, the consistency is there.
Losing QB Devin Leary to the transfer portal is a kick in the balls, but they managed to reel in former UVA gunslinger Brennan Armstrong, who has shown promise and star power in his career. Armstrong reunites with former OC Robert Anae, who both helped anchor a 2021 Virginia team that was the second-best passing offense and third-best scoring offense in the country. While NC State lost a few key skill position guys on the outside, this Armstrong-Anae duo is an instant upgrade that could elevate the Wolfpack offense to the best it’s been in the Doeren-era.
Defense has been the heart and soul of Doeren ball at NC State. Last season, the Wolfpack ranked 11th nationally in rushing defense and 20th in total defense. All-American caliber LB Payton Wilson returns as the catalyst of yet another quality Wolfpack unit.
Even though the odds for the over aren’t all that appealing, I think the win total mark at 6.5 is too good to pass up. Last season, NC State was hit with poor luck when Leary went down, and the offense struggled mightily. Even so, that team still pulled away with 8 WINS. The schedule isn’t too brutal (7th toughest in ACC), and they get Notre Dame, Miami, UNC, and Clemson all at home. Knowing NC State, they can certainly snatch two, maybe three wins out of that slate. As long as Armstrong can stay healthy and the defense returns to 2022 form, or at least close to it, this is an easy hit in my opinion. Pencil it in because…
