NC State (-5) over Wake
Wake played very well last week but came up short against Clemson. Now they travel into NC St where the wolfpack have started to come together. N.C. State ranks 90th nationally in scoring offense, 96th in total offense, 92nd in passing offense. Dating back to 1984, the Deacons have lost 10 straight games in Raleigh. Wake Forest was known for its unusual offense, an attack that relies on misdirection and deception. This fall, however, the Deacons are making noise with an experienced, hard-hitting defense that?s allowing only 13.3 points per game (ranked 14th nationally). Middle linebacker John Abbate, who leads the league in tackles (11.5 per game), paces a unit that has also tallied 17 sacks, including 13 over the last four games. With Evans under center, the Pack has only turned the ball over once in two games. He has been the difference and he has a lot of touch on the passing ball. Brown and Baker are a nice combo in the back field and they should be able to break a few big plays especially on misdirection. The NC St defense must get pressure on Skinner. The Wake offense is very balenced Wake averaging 144 yards rushing, 156 passing. What is not being addressed is that Wake has not played any other than Clemson and were lucky enough to get Clemson in Wake, without Stucky and having problems on offense. NC St coming off wins against FSU and BC should have enough confidence to get on top of Wake. Plus they get a nice home field advantage and that will be very big in this game because the pack are a far better home team. The running game and O-line for NC state should set the table for the passing game. The Wake defense will jump in the box early and Evans can take advantage of the one on one coverages. IMO Dunlap should have a big game, the 6'2 reciever will get a nice break in coverages and Evans will find him. IMO Wake has made some big strides as a program but I am not sold on them and I do not think Clemson came to play. NC State will not over look this team and they should look to get on top to start. If the NC St offense gets going and forces Wake to throw to stay in the game then the Decons will make mistakes. The speed of the defense and offense, home field advantage and a bit of swagger should have NC st looking to re-establish their name in the ACC this season.
Cheers
Irish
Wake played very well last week but came up short against Clemson. Now they travel into NC St where the wolfpack have started to come together. N.C. State ranks 90th nationally in scoring offense, 96th in total offense, 92nd in passing offense. Dating back to 1984, the Deacons have lost 10 straight games in Raleigh. Wake Forest was known for its unusual offense, an attack that relies on misdirection and deception. This fall, however, the Deacons are making noise with an experienced, hard-hitting defense that?s allowing only 13.3 points per game (ranked 14th nationally). Middle linebacker John Abbate, who leads the league in tackles (11.5 per game), paces a unit that has also tallied 17 sacks, including 13 over the last four games. With Evans under center, the Pack has only turned the ball over once in two games. He has been the difference and he has a lot of touch on the passing ball. Brown and Baker are a nice combo in the back field and they should be able to break a few big plays especially on misdirection. The NC St defense must get pressure on Skinner. The Wake offense is very balenced Wake averaging 144 yards rushing, 156 passing. What is not being addressed is that Wake has not played any other than Clemson and were lucky enough to get Clemson in Wake, without Stucky and having problems on offense. NC St coming off wins against FSU and BC should have enough confidence to get on top of Wake. Plus they get a nice home field advantage and that will be very big in this game because the pack are a far better home team. The running game and O-line for NC state should set the table for the passing game. The Wake defense will jump in the box early and Evans can take advantage of the one on one coverages. IMO Dunlap should have a big game, the 6'2 reciever will get a nice break in coverages and Evans will find him. IMO Wake has made some big strides as a program but I am not sold on them and I do not think Clemson came to play. NC State will not over look this team and they should look to get on top to start. If the NC St offense gets going and forces Wake to throw to stay in the game then the Decons will make mistakes. The speed of the defense and offense, home field advantage and a bit of swagger should have NC st looking to re-establish their name in the ACC this season.
Cheers
Irish
