Vanderbilt football faces its final nonconference contest of the college season as it will face NC State.
The contest at FirstBank Stadium on Sept. 19 (11:45 a.m. CT, SEC Network) will provide Vanderbilt with a measuring stick against an ACC opponent.
The Commodores
(2-0) have defeated Austin Peay by a score of 28-9 and beat Delaware, 35-26. NC State (1-1) lost, 34-8, to Virginia, then defeated Richmond, 73-0.Freshman quarterback Jared Curtis will make his first career start for Vanderbilt, as announced by coach Clark Lea. Lea said Curtis has gotten 80% of the reps in practice leading up to the game.
Here is our score prediction:
Vanderbilt vs NC State prediction
Vanderbilt will get a barometer of sorts against NC State, playing an ACC opponent right before starting conference play.
The Commodores have problems to solve beyond their quarterback, but the Wolfpack didn't look good in their game against Virginia before destroying FCS Richmond.
Vanderbilt vs NC State scouting report
Why Vanderbilt has an advantage: Vanderbilt is finally sticking with one quarterback: Jared Curtis. Curtis will be one of the most talented players on the field. And the fact that the Commodores are no longer playing two quarterbacks could clean up some operational issues. The Commodores have been excellent at home over the past few years and NC State hasn't beaten an SEC team on the road since 1977.
Why NC State has an advantage: While Curtis is talented, he's also a freshman, and that leaves open the potential for some bad plays a veteran wouldn't make. The concerns for Vanderbilt have gone beyond the quarterback and to the run game, the receivers and the tackling on defense.
Vanderbilt vs NC State injury updates
For Vanderbilt, Cole Spence, Jamison Curtis, Jaylin Lackey and Aaron Bryant are out. Brian Allen Jr. is probable.
Vanderbilt vs NC State score prediction
Vanderbilt 24, NC State 17
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt football vs NC State score prediction for Week 3 game
