Georgia Tech has emerged as a surprise team in college football this season, entering November with an impressive 8-0 record and a top-10 national ranking, far exceeding preseason expectations for Brent Key’s squad.
The NC State Wolfpack, meanwhile, has struggled recently but will host the Yellow Jackets in a charged atmosphere at Carter-Finley Stadium, hoping to pull off a major upset. The Georgia Tech vs. NC State prediction provides essential context, historical insights, and exclusive PFSN player evaluations and team ratings as both programs prepare for this pivotal ACC showdown.
Georgia Tech vs. NC State Details
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025
- Game time: 7:30 pm ET
- Location: Carter-Finley Stadium | Raleigh, NC
- Predicted weather at kick: clear, low 50’s temperature
- How to watch: ESPN2
Georgia Tech vs. NC State Head-to-Head Record
Since 2019, Georgia Tech and NC State have met three times, with each matchup delivering a tightly contested battle. In 2019, Georgia Tech edged out a 28-26 home victory, only to fall by ten points in Raleigh the following year.
Last season’s clash came down to the wire, with Georgia Tech securing a dramatic 30-29 win thanks to a touchdown in the final seconds. The Georgia Tech vs. NC State prediction highlights a rivalry defined by close finishes and high stakes, as both teams prepare for another intense showdown.
Georgia Tech vs. NC State Grades
- Georgia Tech: 85.2 (B)
- NC State: 81.3 (B-)
- Georgia Tech: 79.3 (C+)
- NC State: 75.8 (C)
- Georgia Tech: 86 (B)
- NC State: 80.8 (B-)
- Haynes King, Georgia Tech: 84 (B)
- CJ Bailey, NC State: 82.1 (B-)
- Jamal Haynes, Georgia Tech: 73.1 (C)
- Hollywood Smothers, NC State: 83 (B)
- Malik Rutherford, Georgia Tech: 78 (C+)
- Terrell Anderson, NC State: 80.4 (B-)
- Josh Beetham, Georgia Tech: 83.6 (B)
- Cody Hardy, NC State: 80.2 (B-)
- Brayden Manley, Georgia Tech: 73.7 (C)
- Sabastian Harsh, NC State: 75.6 (C)
- Jordan van den Berg, Georgia Tech: 76.5 (C)
- Brandon Cleveland, NC State: 74.6 (C)
- E.J. Lightsey, Georgia Tech: 74.9 (C)
- Caden Fordham, NC State: 79.8 (C+)
- Ahmari Harvey, Georgia Tech: 86.4 (B)
- Devon Marshall, NC State: 88.4 (B+)
- Jy Gilmore, Georgia Tech: 75.5 (C)
- Tristan Teasdell, NC State: 83.7 (B)
Georgia Tech vs. NC State Prediction
It’s pretty shocking that Georgia Tech has made it this far without a loss. Credit to Brent Key and staff for the incredible job they’ve done coaching this team, but the Yellow Jackets could easily have three losses right now, and they continue to catch some lucky breaks.
They have a close win against a very mediocre Clemson team — the Tigers had more total yards in that game and lost the turnover battle — and were also outplayed on the field in games against Duke and Wake Forest.
NC State has a pretty decent resume. They gave Virginia their only loss and had a very deserved win against Wake Forest. They played Duke neck and neck for a while, but being -4 in turnovers ultimately cost them; however, NC State did outgain Duke in total yards.
And they did have a narrow two-point loss against Virginia Tech — not a great result — but to be fair, the Hokies were fresh off of firing coach Brent Pry and had the roster as motivated as you’d get them all season long.
NC State has an offense that will put up points in this game. QB C.J. Bailey leads an explosive offense that is one of the best in the country at scoring points on drives that cross midfield. Duke and Wake Forest moved the ball pretty easily against Georgia Tech, and as long as the Wolfpack can limit turnovers, they should score their fair share of points.
It’s worth noting the offense did lose a key piece in TE Justin Joly, who was hurt last week vs Pitt. It’s a brutal loss for the offense to not have one of C.J. Bailey’s top targets, but this wide receiver room is finally fully healthy, which provides plenty of options for Bailey.
And RB Hollywood Smothers has had a pretty efficient season. Look for him to have a big day against a Georgia Tech defense that has shown an inability to effectively stop the run.
The NC State defense has had its ups and downs, but they have shown the ability to stop the run recently. They held Pitt to 106 rush yards and only 3.2 yards per carry.
They also limited a dynamic Notre Dame running back duo to less than 150 yards a few weeks ago. Georgia Tech will have some trouble finding open holes on this defense, especially on early downs,which could create some third-and-long situations.
The Wolfpack have been decimated by injuries all year long, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. The secondary is pretty solid, but it’s a pretty banged-up unit right now. While many of the starters are intact, there are questions about the depth at some positions. It will be important that some of these depth pieces return.
But we did see Georgia Tech struggle to move consistently against similar defenses like Wake Forest and Duke. There are injuries on the Georgia Tech side as well, with key defensive backs Ahmari Harvey and Jy Gilmore, and receiver Malik Rutherford all banged up. All three guys missed last week’s game against Syracuse.
Overall, I think Georgia Tech is still a little overrated, and they’re due for a close game loss since they’re 4-0 in games decided by nine points or less. I predict their luck to run out this week against an NC State team that has played a much harder schedule. And this should be a motivated group after getting their hearts broken last year in a 30-29 loss where Georgia Tech scored a game-winning touchdown with 30 seconds left.
NC State has the offensive firepower to score points and keep itself in this game. Head coach Dave Doeren usually has his Wolfpack team juiced up and prepared for big home games with a chance to upset a top team, and I think, at the very least, he gets his group to fight to the end in this game.
Prediction: NC State 31, Georgia Tech 30
