The Jared Curtis era has officially begun. Vanderbilt (2-0) is making a quarterback change, handing the reigns on offense to its talented freshman passer. His first test, going up against NC State (1-1), could prove difficult. Can the Wolfpack earn an upset on the road during Saturday’s ACC-SEC clash?
The Commodores are listed as three-point favorites over the Wolfpack, with the total set at O/U 51.5 points. Below is my full preview, prediction and best bet for Saturday’s NC State vs. Vanderbilt Week 3 matchup.
NC State vs. Vanderbilt prediction, preview
It’s difficult to figure out this Wolfpack club. Any preseason hype was dashed during a 34-8 loss to Virginia in Week 0. However, the team rebounded with a 73-0 blowout over Richmond. The true NC State likely lies somewhere in the middle of those two results. The school certainly has the quarterback; CJ Bailey is one of the ACC’s better passers. Last season, he threw for 3,105 yards and 29 touchdowns while adding six more scores on the ground. Star running back Hollywood Smothers is now at Texas, leaving a major hole in the backfield. Fortunately, his former backup Jayden Scott is up for the challenge. The sophomore has churned out 148 rushing yards and two touchdowns through two games. There are some questions on the outside, where most of 2025’s top pass catchers have left campus. Keenan Jackson (six receptions, 129 yards) has made an early impact, but not many other names.
Any time you play an SEC squad (sans Arkansas), a certain level of physicality is expected on defense. Vanderbilt was a good unit in 2025, but certainly not a great one. The program allowed 22.8 points and 357.5 yards per game to opponents, both marks in the latter half of the conference. Up front, the Commodores allowed a modest 3.68 yards per rush attempt last season. It’s in the secondary where things got shaky. Opposing quarterbacks averaged 249.4 passing yards per game against Vandy, worst among all SEC schools. Allowing 26 points to Delaware in Week 2 isn’t the kind of start head coach Clark Lea was looking for. If this group wants to take down above-average squads, that needs to improve going forward.
On the other side of the ball, it’s a new era in Nashville. Curtis, a former five-star recruit, is the future of this program. At 6’3″ and 230 pounds, he has the size you’re looking for in a big armed passer. However, the freshman is also more than willing to imrpovise and make something happen outside of the pocket. Curtis came into last week’s game against Delaware, notching 210 passing yards and three total touchdowns in limited action. Lea then decided to name the youngster as his starting quarterback for today’s game vs. the Wolfpack.
It’s not as if Curtis will be taking on NC State all by himself. The senior duo of Sedrick Alexander and Makhilyn Young should give Vandy a solid presence on the ground. Jayvontay Conner looks like a difference-maker at tight end, leading the team with ten receptions. Wide receiver Junior Sherrill isn’t far behind, snagging nine catches for 164 yards as well. Still, games against Austin Peay and Delaware don’t tell us much about this roster’s collective talent. Saturday’s contest marks its first Power 4 challenge.
If the Commodores have an area of weakness on offense, it’s up front. The team has had to replace four different starters from last season’s crew. That’s never easy, especially for a position group that depends heavily on chemistry. Still, o-line coach Chris Klenakis usually finds a way to get the most out of his guys. It’ll be up to North Carolina State’s pass rush to generate pressure this afternoon. That’s easier said than done; the team only managed to record 20.0 sacks in 2025. That placed them at 14th among 16 ACC schools. With three takedowns in two games this season, it’s looking like more of the same.
Best Bet: Vanderbilt -3 (-115)
NC State is a better team than it showed against Virginia. With that being said, a road trip into SEC country is never easy. There’s a level of unknown with Vanderbilt and Curtis at the moment. Still, the freshman has more than enough talent to keep the chains moving at the very least. If there’s any way to fluster an inexperienced quarterback, it’s by generating a pass rush. In that regard, this Wolfpack defense doesn’t inspire much confidence. As slight favorites, I like the Commodores to take care of business this afternoon in what could be a high-scoring affair.
