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2025 Week 3 Predictions - NC State @ Wake Forest

Recap from Last Week, Week 2 vs UVA


2-0 has a much better ring to it than 1-1. CJ Bailey had one of, if not the, best performances for NC State. It was one of those weird games where State came back in the second half, and even though it was tense, Bailey, Hollywood Smothers, and the rest of the offense gave a surprising confidence that they'd pull it out. NC State has now played two solid teams to start the season, giving it some good tests of battle readiness. Here's hoping they can win just a tad more comfortably, as one possession games are quite nerve racking.


Leave a comment down below if the following table is confusing to read. We're going to track the team's predictions against their preseason picks week over week.


Schedule

ESPN Predicto-Bot

Alec Lower

Essad Malik

Trey Lower

Jackson Williford

Actual Results








Week 1 (Thu, 8/28) vs ECU Preseason pick

69.7% - 30.3% (W)

37-24 (W)

28-20 (W)

24-20 (W)

38-21 (W)


During season pick

69.7% - 30.3% (W)

37-24 (W)

31-21 (W)

24-20 (W)

38-21 (W)

24-17 (W)

Week 2 (9/6) vs UVA (Non-Conference)

64.2% - 35.8% (W)

29-24 (W)

27-19 (W)

23-16 (W)

31-24 (W)


During season pick

48.6% - 51.4% (L)

20-21 (L)

27-24 (W)

30-26 (W)

27-24 (W)

35-31 (W)

Week 3 (Thu, 9/11) vs WtFU

66.7% - 33.3% (W)

33-7 (W)

17-20 (L)

35-20 (W)

35-20 (W)


During season pick

74.2% - 25.8% (W)

38-17 (W)

34-31 (W)

31-28 (W)

31-21 (W)


Week 4 (9/20) @ Duke

37.3% - 62.7% (L)

23-35 (L)

13-37 (L)

14-28 (L)

21-28 (L)









Week 5 (9/27) vs VT

37.3% - 62.7% (L)

34-41 (L)

27-24 (W)

35-31 (W)

28-24 (W)









Week 6 (10/4) vs Campbell

99% - 1% (W)

50-10 (W)

42-17 (W)

63-7 (W)

45-14 (W)









Week 7 (10/11) @ ND

9% - 91% (L)

13-42 (L)

10-37 (L)

0-35 (L)

14-38 (L)









Week 8 (10/25) @ Pitt

46.8% - 53.2% (L)

35-28 (W)

24-28 (L)

20-21 (L)

31-35 (L)









Week 9 (11/1) vs GT

42.2% - 57.8% (L)

31-24 (W)

23-21 (W)

30-27 (W)

30-31 (L)









Week 10 (11/15) @ Miami

16.6% - 83.4% (L)

42-45 (L)

37-31 (W)

21-45 (L)

21-38 (L)









Week 11 (Fri, 11/21) vs FSU

62% - 38% (W)

23-20 (W)

24-22 (W)

28-17 (W)

34-31 (W)









Week 12 (11/29) vs unc

58% - 42% (W)

84-2 (W)

17-37 (L)

93285 - -234 (W) (yes, that's a negative score)

28-27 (W)










How well do these predictions add up for the season so far?

Actual Record to Date = 2-0

ESPN Predicto-Bot

Alec Lower

Essad Malik

Trey Lower

Jackson Williford

Preseason Predicted Record to Date

2 - 0

2 - 0

2 - 0

2 - 0

2 - 0

Incorrect Picks

0

0

0

0

0

During Season Predicted Record to Date

1 - 1

1 - 1

2 - 0

2 - 0

2 - 0

Incorrect Picks

1

1

0

0

0


Week 3 vs Wake Forest - Thu, 9/11/25


You know what has an even better sound than 2-0? 3-0! In order to do that, back to Winston-Salem we go, NC State fans' least favorite venue in the world. NC State is currently favored by 6.5 on the road, which means it will definitely be another one possession game, because of course. Wake Forest squeaked by (checks notes) Kennessaw State after going up 10-9 in the third quarter and hanging on with score to the end. Then they beat the brakes off of WCU 42-10. Before you scoff at that opponent, remember that NC State skated a bit nervously by WCU in last year's opener with a score of 38-21.


Is Wake Forest good, or is Kennessaw good, or somewhere in the middle? Probably the latter, but NC State has had a bad habit of giving up explosive running plays. What's that? Wake Forest has arguably the best running back in the league??




Demond Claiborne might be third in total rush yards (212) in the conference behind Louisville's Isaac Brown (230) and NC State's own Smothers (216). But he's blowing everyone away with a staggering 16.3 yards/carry of anyone with 10 or more carries. Now, he only has 13 carries while Hollywood has 39, but that doesn't fit the narrative I'm trying to make of this guy being a terrifying threat. He still is, but NC State should (read: should) be able to contain him, and if they can then should be able to have made it a quarter of the season undefeated.


And now, on to our Week 3 predictions!

Name

Prediction

Comments

ESPN Predicto-Bot

74.2% - 25.8% (W)

This went up from preseason, which was 66.7% - 33.3%

Alec Lower

38-17 (W)

State sustains offense. Wake finds a couple explosive runs. State pulls away in the second half.

Essad Malik

34-31 (W)

The house of horrors rears its head, as a shootout ensues. But NC State has just too much firepower compared to what Wake has, and makes one extra play to win.

Trey Lower

31-28 (W)

Everyone is expecting State to go in there and run away with it. But its Wake on a short week at their place. State again needs a goal line stand to win after a 250 yard night from Demond Claiborne.

Jackson Williford

31-21 (W)

I don't think much of Wake, but I do think highly of Demond Claiborne. He'll hit explosives, but not enough for Wake to cover.


So, what do you think will happen this week? Let us know in the comments below, and respond in the poll with your pick!


Who do you think will win?

  • NC State Wolfpack

  • Wake Forest Demon Deacons



AI Image of the Week


This week's image wasn't nearly as great as last week's, that was an all timer. But this time, we do have. the classic AI 6 finger hands. A dead giveaway of AI slop. Clankers gotta do better, or don't so we can keep making fun of you.

Prompt: "A big bad wolf has an epic battle but will eventually vanquish a demonic deacon wearing a black trenchcoat and black top hat. The wolf is four times the size as the deacon, who is terrified for his life."
Prompt: "A big bad wolf has an epic battle but will eventually vanquish a demonic deacon wearing a black trenchcoat and black top hat. The wolf is four times the size as the deacon, who is terrified for his life."


1 Comment

AlecLower
AlecLower
Sep 11

The Deacon looks like he is about to some Karate but he has tried it before.

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