North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. Pittsburgh (Pitt) Panthers, Picks and Prediction, Saturday, October 25, 2025
Use Code SSWC Pennsylvania has an ACC game on tap Saturday afternoon and we’re breaking it all down, plus providing you with North Carolina State vs. Pittsburgh predictions. The Wolfpack (4-3 SU, 3-4 ATS) are coming off of a bye week after losing to No. 16 Notre Dame, 36-7, back on the 11th. The Panthers (5-2 SU, 5-2 ATS) got past Syracuse, 30-13, as -10 favorites on the road last Saturday. This game had a 3:30 EST kickoff scheduled from Acrisure Stadium. Don’t get penalized! Increase your bankroll with our free College Football Betting Picks!
North Carolina State licking their wounds
The Wolfpack were once a 3-0 SU football team before they began conference play. They’ve since gone 1-3 SU, 1-2 SU against ACC sides, so their bye came at an appropriate time. The seven points scored in their last game were the lowest offensive output of the season for N.C. State.
Offensively, the Wolfpack come into this game averaging 30 points per game, ninth in the ACC. They produce 417 yards and 149 rushing yards each week, both of which are fifth-best in the conference. They’ve handed the ball to Hollywood Smothers 112 times, and he’s paid them back with an ACC-high 739 rushing yards to go with five touchdowns.  N.C. State’s passing attack ranks ninth in the league, averaging 268 yards per game. CJ Bailey is completing 72.1% of his passes this season for 1,846 yards, 14 TDs and 7 INTs. He’s been sacked 13 times, including four in the team’s last game. Terrell Anderson leads the team with 445 receiving yards and has 24 catches and 3 TDs.
N.C. State’s defense ranks 13th in the conference, allowing 26.6 points per game. They are also 13th in yardage yielded, giving up 390.7 a game. Versus the pass, the Wolfpack has allowed 257.3 yards, and against the rush, 133.4 yards per game. They have recorded 11 sacks and four interceptions. Caden Fordham leads the team and the ACC with 69 tackles and has picked up two sacks. Travali Price and Sabastian Harsh each have a team-high 2.5 sacks apiece.
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Team notes
- Smothers has 25 catches for 145 yards and a touchdown; he’s completed his lone pass attempt and has recorded two tackles.
- Anderson is seventh in the ACC with an 18.5 yards per catch average.
- The team is tied for 28th in red zone offense (.917), scoring 22 times in 24 trips.
- The Wolfpack are tied for 21st in the country, having lost only two fumbles all season.
Balance has Pittsburgh on the hunt
The Panthers have had a little back-and-forth to their season, but after dropping their first conference tilt of the season, they’ve rattled off three straight wins. Behind one of the better passing attacks in the ACC, Pitt has been able to ride their offense, and at Syracuse, it scored 30 points for a third straight game.
Through seven games, Pittsburgh’s offense is averaging 38.4 points per game, the third-highest mark in the ACC and 13th in the country. They rank ninth in the conference with 406.6 total yards and third with 285.1 passing yards per game. Mason Heinstchel threw for just 140 yards and an interception in the Syracuse win. The freshman QB has completed 68.4% of his passes for 820 yards, 6 TDs, and 3 INTs since taking over the role four games ago. He’s been sacked 17 times over the past three weeks. The Panthers’ ground game averages 121.4 points per game, led by Desmond Rei,d who has 225 yards in five games, and Ja’Kyruan Turner, who has 222 rushing yards.
The Pitt defense matches the offensive effort, allowing 20.3 points per game, third in the ACC. Teams are beating them for 299.1 total yards each time out, also third-best in the conference. Against the run, they are giving up an ACC-best 82.4 yards, and versus the pass, 216.7 yards per game. They’ve picked off seven passes and are second in the conference with 19 sacks. Rasheem Biles leads the team with 52 tackles and has two sacks, a pick-six, and a forced fumble. Six different players have recorded two sacks, and seven different players have interceptions.
Team notes
- Kenny Johnson’s 66-year punt return touchdown last week was the first this season in any ACC game.
- Trey Butkowski went 3-3 on field goal attempts last weekend and is 15-16 on the year.
- Panthers are 11-17 on fourth down attempts and their .617 conversion percentage is tied for 36th in the country.
- Tied for 24th in the nation in first down defense, allowing 117 on the year.
North Carolina State vs. Pittsburgh Picks
Spread Pick for North Carolina State vs. Pitt
- Pittsburgh -6.5 (5 units)
These conference rivals haven’t met since 2020, and overall, the series has been evenly split, 5-5-1 SU through the years. The Pittsburgh offense has been extremely efficient this season. They have no major statistical standouts, but they make the most of nearly every drive, and they get contributions from many. The N.C. State offense is also doing well for themselves, and they bring to the table one the top rushers in the country. Unfortunately, they are up against one of the best rushing defenses in the country. The 82.4 rushing yards per game allowed by the Panthers is fourth best in the nation, and they’ve forced seven fumbles. This is where the Wolfpack are going to get backed up. Their passing game is not strong enough to keep up with Pitt, which is 3-0 ATS in their last three games.
Take the Panthers giving the points at home.
Over/Under Pick for North Carolina State vs. Pitt
- Over 55.5 (5 units)
This matchup features a pair of offenses that rank in the top half of the ACC in scoring. Combined, they average 68.4 points per game, and both are averaging over 400 total yards each week. N.C. State is going to have to find ways to get by a strong Pitt defense, but having the extra week off has allowed them to get healthy and, more importantly, study game film more intensely. The Wolfpack have scored at least 33 points in four of their last six games. Pittsburgh scored 30 or more in five of seven games this season, including each of their last three. The over is 2-1 in the last three meetings between the schools.
Take the over.
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