East Carolina vs NC State Military Bowl Prediction | College Football Best Bets

The East Carolina Pirates and the North Carolina State Wolfpack are set for a Saturday showdown in the Go Bowling Military Bowl. East Carolina enters this matchup with a 7-5 record after an up-and-down season for Blake Harrell’s squad. Meanwhile, NC State has dealt with inconsistencies of its own this season after dealing with injuries to key positions. Nevertheless, both teams have won enough games to go bowling, and now they get the chance to match up with each other with one more win on the line.

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East Carolina vs. NC State

• Location: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Annapolis, Maryland) | Matchup Page
• Time: Saturday, December 28, 5:45 p.m. ET | Where to Watch: ESPN
• Spread: NC State -7.5 | Moneyline: NC State -265 | Total: 58.5

Go Bowling Military Bowl Opt-Outs:

East Carolina Pirates: Bryson Harrison, QB (transfer portal); Kenny Walz, IOL (transfer portal); Kerry King, WR (transfer portal); Amarie Archer, IOL (transfer portal); Chase Sowell, WR (transfer portal); Shavon Revel Jr. (NFL Draft); Isaiah Brown-Murray, CB (transfer portal)

NC State Wolfpack: Kevin Concepcion, WR (transfer portal), Red Hibbler, EDGE (transfer portal); Wyatt Wright, LB (transfer portal); Jayland Parker, LB (transfer portal); Jakolbe Baldwin, WR (transfer portal); Jalen Coit, WR (transfer portal)

East Carolina vs. NC State Best Bet: NC State -7.5

NC State has struggled throughout the season after turning to freshman quarterback CJ Bailey unexpectedly after an injury to Grayson McCall caused the starting quarterback to retire medically. However, the Wolfpack have done enough to find their way to the .500 mark, and they beat their rival North Carolina to clinch bowl eligibility. Although their record doesn’t make them seem like the favorite in this one, especially against an ECU team that’s won four of their last five games, the talent level alone could be enough to put the Wolfpack on top when it’s all said and done. With the Pirates understaffed in this one, it’s possible that NC State can pull away from ECU if they struggle early.

East Carolina vs. NC State Best Total Bet: Under 58.5

East Carolina heads into this battle, averaging 32.5 points per game, while NC State enters this matchup, averaging 29.2 points per contest. Although both offenses have impressed throughout the season, exceeding the 58.5-point set total is a tall task for these two squads to overcome. That said, a final score of 33-20 seems like a realistic outcome.

East Carolina Best Player Bet: Rahjai Harris 80+ Rushing Yards +134

Rahjai Harris has been relied on throughout the season in the Pirates offense. The running back is often their go-to guy to ignite the offense, and his impact out of the backfield alone can get his team going. Harris has totaled 946 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the season, and as their final game of the season rolls around, the ECU coaching staff could be looking to send the fifth-year senior out with a bang.  Assuming the South Carolina native gets plenty of opportunities on Saturday, he should easily exceed the 80-yard mark, as he’s done in the last three games.

NC State Best Player Bet: CJ Bailey 40+ Rushing Yards +112

As mentioned before, CJ Bailey unexpectedly took over as the starting quarterback early in the season. While the freshman has dealt with struggles, the former three-star recruit has also shown plenty of flashes of what he could become as a dual-threat option. Bailey has utilized his legs more as the season has unfolded, and rushing for 40+ yards in the Wolfpack’s previous two games could mean that NC State has made the quarterback’s running game a part of the game plan.