The Richmond Spiders take on the NC State Wolfpack in Raleigh, NC. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
NC State is favored by -30.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -8000. The total is set at 48.5 points.
Here’s my Richmond vs. NC State prediction and college football pick for Friday, September 11, 2026.
Richmond vs NC State Prediction
- Richmond vs. NC State Pick: NC State -30.5
My NC State vs. Richmond best bet is on the Wolfpack to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Richmond vs NC State Odds
| Richmond Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+30.5 -115 | 48.5 -110o / -110u | +2200 |
| NC State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-30.5 -105 | 48.5 -110o / -110u | -8000 |
- Richmond vs NC State point spread: Richmond +30.5 (-115), NC State -30.5 (-105)
- Richmond vs NC State over/under: 48.5 (-110o / -110u)
- Richmond vs NC State moneyline: Richmond +2200, NC State -8000
Richmond vs NC State College Football Preview
Richmond Spiders Betting Preview: Inconsistent Ground Game
Richmond has opened the season 2-0, featuring a convincing win in the opener against Bucknell followed by a four-quarter battle against Howard on the road last week.
The Spiders' offense has looked better against two poor FCS defenses. However, the ground game has been inconsistent, and QB Ashten Snelsire has had to take on more responsibility in commanding scoring drives.
Richmond wants to run the football, but the ground game has been sporadic through two weeks, with just one of 66 rushing attempts exceeding 20 yards. The team rushing average is 3.3 yards per carry, and Howard’s defensive front created plenty of problems in the trenches.
I expect the Spiders to rely on the passing game against NC State.
The defense has been a calling card for Richmond over the last six seasons, with the Spiders regularly at the top of most defensive statistical categories. The defensive line has picked up right where it left off over the last three seasons while registering 12 tackles for loss and nine sacks through two games.
Blake Houser has shined at linebacker while being in on 18 tackles, as the Spiders have been able to take advantage of two weak opposing offensive lines.
I could see this group getting overmatched by NC State on the road Friday night.
NC State Wolfpack Betting Preview: Bounce-Back Spot
NC State has had two weeks to think about its abysmal Week 0 performance, when the Wolfpack scored once on 12 possessions and the offense was completely out of sync. CJ Bailey threw for just 84 yards, and the run game was nonexistent against Virginia’s swarming defense.
The entire offensive game plan failed and this unit wasn't prepared, but now it's had time to regroup and come out strong on Friday night in the home opener for the Pack.
The NC State defense didn’t play all that bad in the first half of the season opener, but the stop-unit was put in several bad situations because of the offense's ineptitude.
The mobility of UVA quarterback Beau Pribula created problems as the front seven was regularly out of position while generating very little defensive havoc.
There's a lot of work to be done on this side of the ball if NC State is going to regroup and right the ship in 2026.
Richmond vs NC State Pick, Betting Analysis
This line opened with NC State favored by 29.5 points with a total set at 48.5. Bets have come in on the Wolfpack, pushing this line out to -30.5. I'm willing to lay it here with NC State.
The Wolfpack are a much better team than what they showed in the season opener, and having two weeks to think about it, stew over it and prepare for the home opener is a huge benefit.
This offense is going to put the points up against Richmond, whose defense has worn down in the second half even against weak competition.
The Spiders have shut out both Bucknell and Howard in the first half, only to surrender 35 points in the second half. But don’t expect a shutout here.
The Richmond front is going to struggle with NC State in the trenches, and Bailey and Duke Scott should both gash the Spiders on the ground. I would expect very little havoc against Bailey and a clean pocket for him to connect on downfield throws in this game.
Richmond will likely deploy a run-heavy approach at first, but the Spiders won't be able to run the ball against the NC State front. This should force Snelsire to throw the ball in “third-and-long” situations, which could be trouble.
Snelsire has looked good early this season but has faced zero pressure, so I would expect mistakes and quick possessions.
I don’t want to throw out this NC State team just yet after one poor performance. I expect a great game plan and for the offense to put on a show in the home opener on Friday night.
Richmond doesn't have a strong offense and will struggle to score points; NC State will not. Laying the number.
Pick: NC State -30.5
