VMI vs. NC State football first look: Odds, key matchup, game info for Saturday’s game

N.C. State would like to put an easy victory on its record, but the Virginia Military Institute would like just as much to upset Goliath.

VMI comes to Raleigh to play the Wolfpack on Saturday as the teams meet for the first time in nearly 80 years.

“We will be very, very focused on improvement as a football team,” N.C. State coach Dave Doeren said after the loss to Notre Dame. I don’t think it really matters who we play … There’s gonna be so much on this film that we’re not going to like. It’s not going to be hard to get out there and focus on the improvement that needs to take place.”

Photos: Notre Dame defeats NC State

The Keydets actually lead the all-time series 11-7-1, with the Wolfpack winning the last meeting in 1946, 49-7. State lost six of the last eight contests, but things have changed significantly in the last century.

N.C. State is 73-55 under Doeren and has qualified for eight bowl games.

VMI, however, is just 29-82 in that same period. Its best season in the last decade came in the spring 2021 season, going 6-2 and earning a spot in the FCS playoffs.

The Keydets are in their first season under coach Danny Rocco, as well. Rocco is a six-time National Coach of the Year finalist and led his teams to five FCS Playoff appearances.

They won their season opener, 12-7, against Davidson in Week 1 but lost at Bucknell, 21-13, on Saturday.

It might seem like a guaranteed win, but anything is possible with State’s inconsistencies and the way some FCS teams have competed against FBS programs this year.

Key matchup: VMI’s Ironside vs. NC State’s Armstrong

When comparing the two programs each quarterback plays for, it would be easy to assume Wolfpack grad transfer Brennan Armstrong has much better numbers. Those assumptions would be wrong.

The Keydets’ redshirt junior Collin Ironside has been a force in the backfield, completing 37-of-57 passes (65%) for 459 yards, three touchdowns and one interception through the first two contests. All three touchdown passes were for at least 15 yards.

Armstrong has completed 39-of-73 (53.4%) for 415 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions this season. His completion percentage against Notre Dame on Saturday was just 47% , dipping to 39% midgame, and all three picks this season came against Notre Dame.

One thing Armstrong has on Ironside, at least statistically, is a stronger ability to run the ball himself. Ironside appears, however, to have two reliable ball carriers in Rashad Raymond and Hunter Rice. They accounted for 202 of VMI’s 248 rushing yards, allowing Ironside to focus on the pass game.

Ironside and the Keydets aren’t afraid to aim for late-game heroics. VMI scored half of its points against Davidson in the fourth and all 13 against Bucknell in that period.

While the Pack has the obvious advantage, the Keydets have shown they have the talent and grit to find the end zone.

Vegas betting odds

U.S. sports books have yet to establish a line for the VMI-N.C. State game.

VMI at N.C. State game and TV info

Teams: N.C. State Wolfpack (1-1) vs. VMI Keydets (1-1)

Where: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh

Date: Saturday, Sept. 16

Time: 2 p.m.

TV: The CW Network (WLFL, channel 22 in the Triangle)

Stream: DIRECTV Stream, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV