NC State opens as underdog ahead of Clemson’s visit to Carter-Finley Stadium
The bye week has come and gone, and NC State is a home underdog as Clemson arrives at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday afternoon. According to The Action Network’s opening line, the Wolfpack is a 10.5-point underdog to the Tigers.
NC State (4-3, 1-2 ACC) is coming off a 24-3 loss at then-No. 17 Duke in its last time out. Clemson will visit Raleigh after a 28-20 loss at Miami in double overtime.
The Wolfpack’s loss to the Blue Devils snapped a two-game streak that saw the red and white cover the point spread. NC State met the 3.5-point underdog role in its 3-point loss to Louisville, and it covered the 6.5-point favorite against Marshall.
Clemson (4-3, 2-3 ACC), meanwhile, is 2-5 against the spread this fall. The Tigers covered the spread against Florida Atlantic (won 48-14, -25), Florida State (lost 31-24, +1.5) and Syracuse (won 31-14, -7). Clemson failed to cover the points against Duke (lost 28-7, -12.5), Charleston Southern (won 66-17, -50.5), Wake Forest (won 17-12, -21) and Miami (lost 28-20, -6).
NC State is 29-60 all-time against Clemson, and only holds one win over the Tigers — a 27-21 victory at Carter-Finley Stadium in 2021 — since coach Dave Doeren’s arrival. The Pack is 1-8 against the Tigers under Doeren’s watch.
Top 10
- 1
Elko pokes at Kiffin
A&M coach jokes over kick times
- 2
Dan Lanning
Oregon coach getting NFL buzz
- 3Trending
UK upsets Duke
Mark Pope leads Kentucky to first Champions Classic win since 2019
- 4Hot
5-star flip
Ole Miss flips Alabama WR commit Caleb Cunningham
- 5
Second CFP Top 25
Newest CFP rankings are out
The Tigers are led by standout quarterback Cade Klubnik, who has thrown for 1,684 yards with 13 touchdowns and three interceptions this fall. He has also been sacked 14 times through his team’s first seven games. The former highly-touted recruit has a 63.5% completion percentage and is averaging 6.9 yards per completion this season.
While Klubnik paces Clemson through the air, running back Will Shipley is the team’s star on the ground. He has 106 carries for 494 yards with three scores. Running back Phil Mafah has added 57 carries for 355 yards and four touchdowns, while Klubnik has accounted for 70 rushes for 93 yards and three scores on the ground.
Clemson also has five wide receivers that have recorded multiple touchdown receptions this season, led by tight end Jake Briningstool’s three scores on 23 catches for 251 yards. Tyler Brown is the Tigers’ leading receiver with 29 receptions for 391 yards and two scores.
NC State is two wins away from bowl eligibility with five games to play this fall. After Clemson visits, Miami will come to town before the Wolfpack hits the road to Wake Forest and Virginia Tech. The red and white will finish the season at home against North Carolina in the season finale.
