NC State football game predictions: Virginia Tech

NC State football (7-3) hits the road this week for a showdown with Virginia Tech (5-5). This is the program’s final true road test of the season in front of a sold-out crowd.

Quarterback Brennan Armstrong will make his second consecutive start under center after leading the Wolfpack to a dominant win over Wake Forest. The defense faces a tall task against a run-heavy Virginia Tech offense.

Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones presents some unique challenges and is probably the most physical dual-threat signal-caller the program has faced all season.

The Wolfpack takes a three-game winning streak into this matchup, and Virginia Tech has won three of its past four games.

Here are TheWolfpacker.com’s predictions for Saturday’s game.

Ethan McDowell’s prediction

This game is a clash between two programs that share similar identities. Both schools pride themselves on smash-mouth football that stems from defensive and special teams excellence.

While NC State and Virginia Tech have struggled at points this season, they rallied in the second half of their respective 2023 campaigns. Both are playing arguably their best football of the fall coming into this matchup.

Drones rushed for 135 yards during the Hokies’ blowout win over Boston College. Quarterback containment is going to be a top priority for the Pack, which will likely leave the defensive backs on an island even more than usual. NC State’s secondary is playing at an elite level right now, so that should not be a huge issue.

If the Wolfpack can stop the run, the defense should be able to limit Virginia Tech’s offense. Coming into this matchup, NC State’s 100.3 rushing yards allowed per game ranks No. 3 in the conference. That ranking has steadily improved over the past few weeks, and Wake Forest only managed 7 yards on the ground last week.

The defense is playing so well right now that I expect the unit will down the Hokies on Saturday. On the other side of the ball, Armstrong and the rest of the Pack need to avoid turnovers and stay ahead of the chains. If they end up in too many third-and-long situations, this could be a defensive battle. Virginia Tech’s 31 sacks put the program one away from the ACC lead.

NC State’s offense played with a lot of poise against Wake Forest, and I think that will continue into this matchup. The unit will do enough, led by the reliable presence of Kevin Concepcion in the backfield and the slot, while the defense continues its elite run of form.

Prediction: NC State 20, Virginia Tech 13

Previous predictions:

NC State 17, Wake Forest 9 (Actual: NC State 26, Wake Forest 6)
NC State 27, Miami 24 (Actual: NC State 20, Miami 6)
Clemson 17, NC State 14 (Actual: NC State 24, Clemson 17)
Duke 17, NC State 16 (Actual: Duke 24, NC State 3)
NC State 27, Marshall 13 (Actual: NC State 48, Marshall 41)
NC State 31, Louisville 30 (Actual: Louisville 13, NC State 10)
NC State 31, UVA 13 (Actual: NC State 24, UVA 21)
NC State 45, VMI 0 (Actual: NC State 45, VMI 7)
Notre Dame 27, NC State 20 (Actual: Notre Dame 45, NC State 24)
NC State 24, UConn 10 (Actual: NC State 24, UConn 14)

Noah Fleischman’s prediction

NC State will see Virginia Tech’s raucous environment at Lane Stadium for the first time since 2015 during this weekend’s meeting in Blacksburg. Both teams are riding hot play and are tied in the ACC standings at 4-2 in league competition. 

Wolfpack quarterback Brennan Armstrong is 0-2 against the Hokies in his career, but he has played well with 664 passing yards with 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in the two meetings. This will be his first contest against Virginia Tech since his 405-yard passing day in 2021. 

Armstrong knows what to expect with the Lane Stadium atmosphere, which could prove beneficial for the Wolfpack. NC State is preparing for the crowd noise with speakers at practice blaring music, coach Dave Doeren said on his radio show earlier this week. 

NC State’s defense has been the backbone of the team this season, and it took its play to another level during the Wolfpack’s three-game winning streak. NC State has held its opponents to 9.6 points a game since its bye week. That will be crucial in the team’s ability to win in Blacksburg as it faces a dynamic quarterback in Kyron Drones this weekend. 

Containing the quarterback will be important, but NC State’s defense will be led by graduate linebacker Payton Wilson on that front. He is just as fast and physical, and will likely be able to keep up with Drones. 

With that said, NC State’s offense will be able to do enough for the win for the fourth straight week as the Wolfpack defense limits another offense with its stout play.

Prediction: NC State 21, Virginia Tech 17

Previous Predictions:

NC State 24, Wake Forest 10 (Actual: NC State 26, Wake Forest 6)
NC State 17, Miami 14. (Actual: NC State 20, Miami 6)
NC State 19, Clemson 13 (Actual: NC State 24, Clemson 17)
NC State 24, Duke 20 (Actual: Duke 24, NC State 3)
NC State 24, Marshall 10 (Actual: NC State 48, Marshall 41)
Louisville 35, NC State 21 (Actual: Louisville 13, NC State 10)
NC State 31, UVA 10 (Actual: NC State 24, UVA 21)
NC State 52, VMI 3 (Actual: NC State 45, VMI 7)