Duke (6-3, 2-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) is set to face N.C. State (5-4, 2-3) on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EST, a match broadcasted on the ACC Network.

BetMGM has placed N.C. State as the favorite by three points in this clash.

The historical rivalry shows Duke with an edge, leading the series 42-37-5.

This match holds significant implications for both teams. Duke, having dropped their last two outings—including an overtime defeat to No. 13 SMU and a loss against No. 4 Miami—is looking to regain their momentum. On the other hand, N.C. State has found their rhythm, winning their last two games against California and Stanford. A win for the Wolfpack could secure their eligibility for postseason play, while the Blue Devils are also competing for bowl placement in the current standings.

One of the critical battles to watch will be between Duke’s robust defensive front and N.C. State’s evolving offense. The Blue Devils rank impressively second in the country for tackles for loss, averaging 8.6 per game, and are 15th in sacks with an average of 2.89. This is crucial for setting opposing offenses back into long-yardage scenarios. In contrast, the Wolfpack’s offense is gaining traction, particularly under the performance of freshman quarterback CJ Bailey, who boasts an impressive completion rate of 69.5%.

Key players to keep an eye on include Duke’s quarterback Maalik Murphy, a Texas transfer who has thrown 20 touchdowns this season, although his completion rate is at 58.9%. For N.C. State, watch out for wide receiver KC Concepcion, who caught a touchdown against Stanford, marking only his second since a standout game where he achieved three touchdown catches at the season’s beginning against Western Carolina.

Analyzing some notable statistics, the Wolfpack recently recorded their highest score in an ACC game, racking up 59 points against Stanford. Defensive end Davin Vann leads the nation with five forced fumbles, showcasing his impact on the field. In the last encounter between these two teams, Duke emerged victorious with a score of 24-3. The teams previously faced each other almost every year from 1924 until 2003 before the expansion of the ACC to twelve teams, resulting in only a few matchups since, during years that they were placed in separate divisions until that structure was abolished last year.

Interestingly, Duke’s head coach, Manny Diaz, served as an assistant coach for N.C. State for six years under Chuck Amato from 2000 to 2005. Duke has also had recent success against in-state rivals, winning five of their last seven contests, with their only losses occurring against North Carolina in the previous two seasons.