East Carolina Pirates @ North Carolina State Wolfpack Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 8/28/2025 7:00 PM EDT

We have your East Carolina Pirates @ North Carolina State Wolfpack prop betting and game preview needs covered as the East Carolina Pirates hit the road to face the North Carolina State Wolfpack.

East Carolina Pirates @ North Carolina State Wolfpack Pick

Best Moneyline Odds: East Carolina +240 (DraftKings, Caesars), NC State -298 (DraftKings, Caesars)
Best Spread Odds: East Carolina +7.5 -112 (DraftKings, Caesars), NC State -7.5 -108 (DraftKings, Caesars)
Best Total Odds: Over 61.5 -110 (DraftKings, Caesars), Under 61.5 -110 (DraftKings, Caesars)

Game Info

Date: 8/28/2025
Time: 7:00 PM EDT
Location: Raleigh, NC
TV: -

East Carolina Pirates @ North Carolina State Wolfpack Preview

The North Carolina State Wolfpack are set to host the East Carolina Pirates in a highly anticipated season opener, a rematch of last year's Military Bowl where East Carolina emerged victorious with a 26-21 win. This game carries significant weight for NC State, who are looking for redemption on their home turf. The rivalry between these two North Carolina programs is intense, fueled by their close proximity and historical matchups.

East Carolina enters the season with momentum after a strong finish to their 2024 campaign under interim head coach Blake Harrell, who led the team to a 5-1 record. Quarterback Katin Houser returns for the Pirates, having thrown for 2,006 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions last season, while also adding 170 rushing yards and four scores. He'll have reliable targets in Anthony Smith and Yannick Smith. On defense, while the Pirates lost their top three tacklers, Ja'Marley Riddle and Ryheem Craig are back to anchor the unit.

For NC State, the focus is on avenging their bowl loss. Quarterback CJ Bailey, entering his second season, showed promise as a true freshman, completing 64.9% of his passes for 2,413 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, alongside 279 rushing yards and five touchdowns. The Wolfpack's defense will need to adjust to the departure of defensive coordinator Tony Gibson, but the return of key linebackers Sean Brown and Caden Fordham, along with new additions like Jamel Johnson in the defensive backfield, suggests an improved unit.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

The football rivalry between East Carolina and NC State dates back to 1970, with NC State currently holding a 19-14 lead in the all-time series. The most recent encounter saw East Carolina defeat NC State 26-21 in the Military Bowl on December 28, 2024, marking East Carolina's current one-game winning streak in the series. Historically, NC State boasts the largest margin of victory, a dominant 58-3 win in 2018, and their longest winning streak against the Pirates spanned five games from 1978 to 1982. The rivalry is deeply rooted in the state, with both universities located just 83 miles apart, and the winner of the football contest is awarded the "Victory Barrel." The intensity of this matchup has even led to past suspensions of the series due to fan behavior, including an on-field brawl at the conclusion of their last meeting.

Pick: East Carolina Pirates +7.5

While NC State will be playing at home and seeking revenge, the East Carolina Pirates have shown they can compete and even defeat the Wolfpack, as evidenced by their recent Military Bowl victory. East Carolina's strong finish to last season under interim coach Blake Harrell and the return of a capable quarterback in Katin Houser suggest they are a team on the rise. NC State's defense faces a challenge with the departure of their defensive coordinator, which could impact their early-season performance. Given East Carolina's recent success against NC State and their solid 8-5 (59%) against the spread record last season, taking the Pirates to cover the +7.5 spread offers good value in what is expected to be a hard-fought rivalry game.