NCAA Football
2025-11-15 - NC State Wolfpack at Miami Hurricanes
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : College Football Week 12
Saturday 15th November 2025 - Scheduled 3:30pm
8:30pm (British Time)
Preview
The Power 4 Conferences always expect their Champions to be involved in the College Football Playoff, but there is a real chance that the ACC might miss out this season with the way things have played out.
Two seasons ago, the Florida State Seminoles were not invited into the four team Playoff, despite an unbeaten record, and the ACC have to be concerned that the Champion could be left out again if teams continue to suffer disappointing losses.
With the Seminoles kicking off the season with an upset over the Alabama Crimson Tide and big expectations carried by the Clemson Tigers and Miami Hurricanes (7-2), this is something that the ACC could not have envisioned.
Even now, the Hurricanes are Ranked as the best team in the Conference, but they are 3-2 in the Conference and will need to win out and hope for a number of permutations to land their way if they are to even make the Championship Game. Winning out might give the Playoff Committee something to think about anyway, but it is unlikely to be enough to earn a spot in the twelve team Playoff.
For now the only part the Hurricanes can control is winning out and they need to find some consistency having lost two of the last four games played.
This is the last home game of the season and Miami do still have to play the Pittsburgh Panthers, which could be a pivotal game.
Overlooking the NC State Wolfpack (5-4) would be a mistake- the record may not leap off the page and the Wolfpack are only 2-3 in the ACC, but they are playing after a Bye Week and ended the Georgia Tech unbeaten record in Week 10. This is a team who also produced the only Conference loss the Virginia Cavaliers have had this season and the Wolfpack are potential spoilers even if both of those wins have been at home.
The Wolfpack are 17-9 against the spread when playing after a rest, although that record is built on being at home following the Bye. You still have to have a huge amount of respect for a team that is still in need of one more win to become Bowl eligible and NC State will be very happy to play spoiler.
It is the battle on the Line of Scrimmage that is a feature of yet another game- the Wolfpack Offensive Line have opened up big running lanes, but the Miami Defensive Line is very strong against the run. The Hurricanes will want to clamp down up front and force CJ Bailey to try and have to beat them with his arm, although the Quarter Back will be confident form having thrown over 550 yards and 5 Touchdown passes in his last two starts.
This is a tough Secondary to compete against and one that is capable of turning the ball over, which is the challenge for CJ Bailey considering what happened when the Wolfpack faced Notre Dame Fighting Irish last month.
Miami will also be expecting to be tested when it comes to establishing the run, but the difference is that they have found a consistent pass rush to rattle Quarter Backs when stuck in third and long spots. This has not been the case for the NC State Wolfpack and that extra time for Carson Beck could make all of the difference in the outcome of this game.
Unlike the Hurricanes Secondary, the Wolfpack have allowed teams to pile up the numbers through the air in recent games and Miami's experienced signal-caller is going to be able to do the same. This should give the home team the consistency to move the ball that may be lacking for the Wolfpack and Miami can push clear of the handicap mark to give the Playoff Committee evidence of their strengths.
The Hurricanes are just 1-3 against the spread in the last four games, but the NC State Wolfpack have been set as the road underdog three times this season and all have ended in straight up and against the spread defeats.
Prediction
Lay the points with the home favourite as they look to remain in contention for a spot in the Playoff.
The Pick :
Miami Hurricanes 34-17 NC State Wolfpack
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Miami Hurricanes - 14.5 Points at -110 with Bookmaker.EU
