The North Carolina State Wolfpack head into Week 9 of the 2025 regular season with a 4-3 record, hoping to improve their road performance against the Pittsburgh Panthers. With a road record of 1-2, the Wolfpack face a challenging opponent in a familiar conference setting. Their recent loss against Notre Dame, where they struggled offensively, highlights the adjustments needed to succeed against Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Panthers, sitting at 5-2 this season, are coming off an impressive win over Syracuse and will aim to leverage their home field advantage at Acrisure Stadium. The Panthers have shown resilience, bouncing back after a close loss to Louisville with consecutive victories. Their 3-1 home record indicates their capability to defend their turf effectively. The odds favor the Panthers, with a moneyline of -277, while the Wolfpack are at +225. The spread is set at 7 points in favor of Pittsburgh, indicating a predicted competitive game. As both teams continue their pursuit for conference success, this game will be pivotal in shaping their season trajectories.
Pittsburgh vs North Carolina State At a Glance
- Game Location: Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA
- Game Time: Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 3:30 PM
- TV Channel: ACCN
- North Carolina State Record: 4-3 overall, 2-2 in conference play
- Pittsburgh Record: 5-2 overall, 3-1 in conference play
- Game Odds: Pittsburgh favored with a moneyline of -277 and a spread of -7.0
Pittsburgh Panthers Gear Up for a Challenging Game
Quarterback Overview
Eli Holstein leads the Pittsburgh Panthers’ passing game with 1,058 yards, ranking him 103rd in the league. He has thrown 11 touchdowns and 5 interceptions over six games, demonstrating a mix of strong play and areas for improvement.
Mason Heintschel has played in four games, amassing 823 passing yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions. As the second-string quarterback, his performance has been solid, providing depth to the Panthers’ passing attack.
Running Backs in Focus
Desmond Reid is Pittsburgh’s top running back with 225 rushing yards and one touchdown in five games. His contributions in receiving yards also add a valuable dimension to the offense.
Ja’Kyrian Turner has recorded 224 rushing yards and four touchdowns across six games. His ability to find the end zone makes him a key figure in the red zone for Pittsburgh.
Key Receivers
Raphael Williams Jr. leads the receiving corps with 466 yards and four touchdowns. His ability to make big plays downfield ranks him as a critical asset for the Panthers.
Kenny Johnson has accumulated 353 receiving yards and two touchdowns. His performance solidifies him as a reliable target, complementing Williams Jr. in the passing game.
Team Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: Last 30 Games (2021–2025) → 23-7 (76.7%)
- ATS – Home Games: Last 14 Games (2023–2025) → 11-3 (78.6%)
- O/U – Totals ≥ 50: Last 3 Games (2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- SU – After Win: Last 11 Games (2024–2025) → 9-2 (81.8%)
- SU – All Games: Last 3 Games (2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
North Carolina State Wolfpack Look to Rebound Against Pittsburgh Panthers
Offensive Struggles
The North Carolina State Wolfpack have had mixed results offensively this season. They rank 40th in points for with 210 and hold the 33rd spot in passing yards with 1876. However, their rushing game hasn’t been as effective, sitting at 68th with 1058 yards.
In recent games, they’ve struggled to maintain consistency. For example, in their recent 36-7 loss to Notre Dame, they managed just 233 total offensive yards, including only 51 rushing yards.
Defensive Challenges
Defensively, North Carolina State has faced challenges, particularly in preventing points. They rank 101st in points against with 186 allowed this season. Despite this, they have shown capability in generating turnovers, ranking 5th in interceptions with four.
The Wolfpack defense’s ability to pressure quarterbacks is notable, ranking 18th in sacks with 11. Their defensive line will need to maintain this pressure against Pittsburgh to disrupt their offensive rhythm.
Key Players
Quarterback CJ Bailey has been a standout performer, ranking 17th in the league with 1846 passing yards. His 14 passing touchdowns show his ability to lead the offense, although his seven interceptions are an area for improvement.
Running back Hollywood Smothers has also been pivotal, accumulating 739 rushing yards to rank 6th. Smothers’ versatility is enhanced by his 25 receptions, making him a dual-threat out of the backfield.
Recent Performance
North Carolina State’s recent form has been inconsistent, with a 2-3 record over their last five games. They secured a commanding 56-10 win over Campbell but suffered a heavy 36-7 defeat against Notre Dame.
Against teams like Virginia Tech and Duke, the Wolfpack were unable to secure victories, highlighting areas for improvement, particularly in their defensive setups and late-game execution.
Injury Concerns
The Wolfpack’s injury list could impact their depth and performance, with several players marked as questionable or out. Defensive backs Isaiah Crowell and Jaren Sensabaugh, as well as linebacker Terrente Hinton, are notable absences.
With key players potentially sidelined, the Wolfpack will need others to step up and fill the gaps left by these injuries.
Team Betting Trends
- As Favorite: 23-4 SU in last 27 games
- After Loss: 15-4 SU in last 19 games
- Home Games: 22-8 SU in last 30 games
- Away Games: 7-1 O/U in last 8 games
- As Underdog: 8-2 O/U in last 10 games
- All Games: 18-11 SU in last 29 games
Pittsburgh vs North Carolina State Prediction: Pittsburgh -7.0
The Pittsburgh Panthers are hosting the North Carolina State Wolfpack with a spread of -7.0 in their favor. Pittsburgh has a solid record of 5-2, and they have performed well at home, boasting a 3-1 record. Their recent victory over Syracuse, 30-13, indicates a team in form, ready to continue their success at Acrisure Stadium.
Pittsburgh has been strong against the spread in home games, going 11-3 in their last 14 games. Additionally, their performance as favorites is impressive, with a 23-7 record in their last 30 games in such situations. These trends suggest that Pittsburgh is likely to cover the spread against North Carolina State.
North Carolina State has struggled on the road this season with a 1-2 record, and their defensive struggles, ranking 101st in points against, could be a significant issue against Pittsburgh’s high-powered offense. The Panthers rank 11th in points for, which should allow them to take advantage of North Carolina State’s weaknesses.
Given Pittsburgh’s strong home performance and favorable trends, they are expected to cover the spread. A projected final score might see Pittsburgh win by a margin reflective of their home dominance and offensive prowess.
- Pittsburgh vs North Carolina State Prediction: Pittsburgh -7.0
- Pittsburgh vs North Carolina State Score: Pittsburgh 34 – North Carolina State 20
