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NC State football opens as home underdog vs. UNC

On3 imageby:Ethan McDowell11/19/23

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Kevin Concepcion
Nov 11, 2023; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack wide receiver Kevin Concepcion (10) runs down field after the catch chased by Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive back Chelen Garnes (9) during the first half at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

NC State football will play its regular season finale as a home underdog. North Carolina opened as the favorite for the prime-time Nov. 25 clash at Carter-Finley Stadium.

The Wolfpack was an underdog going into its past two wins at home — victories over Clemson and Miami. Vegas continues to doubt the Wolfpack, and UNC is favored by 2.5 going into the program’s Senior Day showdown with the Tar Heels, per Action Network.

After defeating Virginia Tech 35-28, NC State stands 8-3 on the year thanks to a four-game winning streak coming off its bye week. UNC was a top-10 program at one point this year but holds a 4-3 record in the ACC and fell out of the top-25 following a 31-20 loss to Clemson this weekend.

Through 11 games this year, NC State is 5-5-1 against the spread. North Carolina is 5-4. The Tar Heels have not covered in either of their past two matchups. UNC lost three of its past four ACC contests, dropping games to Georgia Tech and UVA in addition to the Tigers.

North Carolina’s offense leads the ACC at 39.1 points per game, averaging 319.7 passing yards and 199.1 rushing yards per game.

Future NFL first-round quarterback draft pick Drake Maye is the headlining member of that unit. So far this year, the redshirt sophomore signal-caller has completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 3,354 yards. Maye threw for 22 touchdowns and 7 interceptions over the team’s first 11 games. He added 343 rushing yards and 8 more scores on the ground.

Sophomore running back Omarion Hampton continues to emerge as one of the ACC’s elite running backs, racking up 1,414 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Junior receiver Devontez Walker played his first game Oct. 7 after a lengthy eligibility battle with the NCAA, and he paces the Tar Heels with 39 catches for 670 yards and 6 scores this fall.

Senior linebacker Cedric Gray is the leader of UNC’s defense. His 104 tackles ranks second in the ACC, only trailing NC State star Payton Wilson. He has also forced 2 fumbles and intercepted a pass.

North Carolina’s defense is the No. 8 scoring unit in the conference, giving up 23.3 points per game. The Tar Heels’ pass defense sits dead last in the conference with 239.4 yards allowed per contest.

NC State defeated its in-state rival 30-27 in double overtime last season. The Wolfpack will put its two-game winning streak against UNC to the test at 8 p.m. Saturday.

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