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East Carolina vs. NC State Prediction Tonight: Military Bowl Picks & Odds

Mike Spector

Last Updated: December 28, 2024 2:45 PM EST • 3 min 49 sec read.

Army Black Knights safety Max DiDomenico attempts a tackle on East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Anthony Smith as we make our East Carolina vs. NC State prediction ahead of tonight's Military Bowl.
Army Black Knights safety Max DiDomenico (6) attempts a tackle on East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Anthony Smith (17). Photo by Lucas Boland-Imagn Images.

Two in-state rivals will square off in tonight's Military Bowl when the East Carolina Pirates take on the NC State Wolfpack from Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Our East Carolina vs. NC State prediction, part of our bowl game predictions this week, digs into whether the Pirates can keep up with their ACC counterparts.

The best sports betting sites list the Wolfpack as a 7-point favorite with kickoff from Annapolis, Md., set for 5:45 p.m. ET (ESPN).

Our college football bowl game opt-out tracker has you covered with the latest opt-out news and the impact on the college bowl game odds.

East Carolina vs. NC State prediction & best pick: Military Bowl

College football picks based on the odds from our best college football betting sites. Odds subject to change.

  • Against the spread pick: East Carolina +6.5 () vs. NC State ⭐⭐⭐
  • My best pick: NC State first drive result: any other () ⭐⭐

East Carolina vs. NC State ATS prediction

East Carolina to cover the spread: +6.5 ⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -110 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 52.38%

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Coaching and quarterback changes served East Carolina well

East Carolina’s season looked to be spiraling out of control after a 3-4 start. The poor start prompted the team to fire then-head coach Mike Houston, replacing him with defensive coordinator Blake Harrell.

The team won each of its first four games under Harrell before losing the regular season finale to Navy. The Pirates also benefited from a quarterback change, as Katin Houser’s first start came in the loss to Army, the last game that Houston coached.

After that, the Pirates rattled off four consecutive wins (vs. Temple, Florida Atlantic, Tulsa, and North Texas) in which it averaged more than 500 yards of total offense.

NC State’s new look defense?

NC State will have a new defensive play-caller for the Military Bowl after former defensive coordinator Tony Gibson left for the head coaching job at Marshall.

The Wolfpack employ a unique 3-3-5 defense that was left vulnerable to the run at times. NC State barely held on to rank in the top half of the ACC with 143.8 rushing yards allowed, but that run-stopping unit may not be as formidable if stud defensive end Davin Vann opts out.

East Carolina has had success against NC State

East Carolina gets up to play its in-state rival, as it has won 10 of the last 19 head-to-head meetings with NC State. In the most recent matchup in 2022, NC State barely escaped Greenville with a one-point 21-20 victory in a game it was a 12.5-point favorite.

We'll ride with the Pirates to cover the spread in this one, listed at standard juice with BetMGM.

East Carolina vs. NC State best pick

Our NEW college football player prop odds tool can help you find the best odds on any market across legal sportsbooks in your area!

NC State first drive result: any other ⭐⭐

Best odds: +550 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 15.38%

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FanDuel offers a four-way betting line for NC State’s first possession with the following options: offensive touchdown (+145), punt (+155), field goal attempt (+500), or any other (+550). 

The Wolfpack employed a shaky offensive line all season, ranking outside the top 120 in tackles for loss allowed. An East Carolina defense that ranks 11th in tackles for loss and 23rd in turnovers gained will be licking its chops to face the turnover-prone Wolfpack.

I will back the Over on any CJ Bailey interception odds when they become available, as he has thrown at least one pick in three consecutive games (and five total in that span).

This wager is worth a flier at +550 odds that the Wolfpack turn the ball over on their first possession without the aforementioned player props available. A $10 winning wager would net $55 in profits.

East Carolina vs. NC State odds

See all of this week's college football odds and NCAAF scores.

East Carolina vs. NC State live odds

East Carolina vs. NC State opening odds:

  • East Carolina: +5.5 (-110 via BetMGM)
  • NC State: -5.5 (-110 via BetMGM)

East Carolina vs. NC State odds movement

NC State opened as a sizable 5.5-point favorite at our best sports betting apps. The public has gradually continued to back the Wolfpack as kickoff inched closer. This is how we got to where we are now, with NC State listed as a touchdown-favorite over its in-state foe.

East Carolina vs. NC State injuries

Military Bowl game info

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 28
  • Kickoff: 5:45 p.m. ET
  • Where: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Annapolis, Md.)
  • How to watch: ESPN
  • Weather: 48 degrees, 84% chance of precipitation, wind 6 mph SSE

College football betting odds pages

Here are our best college football betting sites:

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Written By:
Mike Spector
Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”