time for one writeup today, but consider the avatar above when weighing this pick:
nc state +3-: i know things have shifted a bit this year but state has owned duke for the last two decades, winning close games even in down years. this year's game is the first in five years, thanks to acc expansion and diviisional play, and carries extra significance for the pack, who are currenly winlwss in acc play. with games remaining against wake, unc and miami, a loss today could result in state's first ever winless acc season.
at least the pack has healed some during a lightly scheduled october, coming off a bye week and playing just twice in the last 34 days. the pack will get several key players back today, most significanly lb nate irvin, who is, by heads and shoulders, the best player on state's defense, and sure to make his presence known. in contrast, last week duke managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and lose to wake in overtime. while the devils stand 4-4 at the moment, they've benefited from one of the conference's easiest early schedules, and are poised for the typical blue devil late season fade.
finally, duke has little home field advantage. look for more red than blue in the stands today as the
wolfpack faithful make the short drive to durham this afternoon to witness state's best remaining opportunity for a win.
glta
nc state +3-: i know things have shifted a bit this year but state has owned duke for the last two decades, winning close games even in down years. this year's game is the first in five years, thanks to acc expansion and diviisional play, and carries extra significance for the pack, who are currenly winlwss in acc play. with games remaining against wake, unc and miami, a loss today could result in state's first ever winless acc season.
at least the pack has healed some during a lightly scheduled october, coming off a bye week and playing just twice in the last 34 days. the pack will get several key players back today, most significanly lb nate irvin, who is, by heads and shoulders, the best player on state's defense, and sure to make his presence known. in contrast, last week duke managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and lose to wake in overtime. while the devils stand 4-4 at the moment, they've benefited from one of the conference's easiest early schedules, and are poised for the typical blue devil late season fade.
finally, duke has little home field advantage. look for more red than blue in the stands today as the
wolfpack faithful make the short drive to durham this afternoon to witness state's best remaining opportunity for a win.
glta
