OUR FINAL TAKE: NC State vs. Maryland
Several members of the Inside Pack Sports staff predict the winner of the NC State-Maryland matchup.
James Henderson (IPS Publisher)
State 24, Maryland 17
I have high expectations for NC State today, especially on defense. I expect to see a big-time performance from that unit and it should be the reason for the win.
Steve Williams (IPS Football Recruiting Analyst)
State 28, Maryland 17
Wolfpack is too hungry. Chalk up another nine-win season for NC State.
Phillip Danford (IPS Football Analyst)
State 24, Maryland 21
Bowl games are tough to predict. And even more so nowadays with opt-outs and the transfer portal. Who’s available? Who’s motivated?
It’s tough to say, but ultimately I believe you’ll see a Dave Doeren-led team come out with the right mindset. But this will be tight. Based upon the profiles of both teams I think you’ll see a lower scoring contest with explosive plays few and far between. Still, the play-making ability of the NC State defense and their penchant for creating turnovers will be the difference in this game.
Jeff Reeves (IPS Photographer)
State 27, Maryland 7
When Maryland left the ACC, it was like your evil ex moved out of your neighborhood -- out of sight, out of mind. The Terps caused a lot of pain for the Pack over the last 15 years they were in the ACC, and I for one was not sad to see them slowly crawl to the Big Ten. That being said, I don't know much about this year's Maryland team.
But I do know the Pack has an all-time great D and an incredible fight in them this year. Nine wins would be a remarkable accomplishment for this Wolfpack team and I think they get it by a score of 27-7 over Maryland.
Jake Caccavaro (IPS Writer)
State 30, Maryland 20
I think the Wolfpack is the better team and Dave Doeren is the better coach. Bowl games are often a crap shoot, but I trust Doeren's guys to treat this like an important game and play hard for their coach. I don't know if you can say the same for Maryland.
James Johnson (IPS Football Analyst)
State 27, Maryland 17
State generates some offense and the defense does what they do. Sweet payback for State fans for years of pain.
Ethan Barry (IPS Writer)
State 26, Maryland 24
Bowl games are about who cares and who is available. Right now, I feel better about NC State in both of those departments based on what we’ve seen this year. This is an evenly matched game but Maryland’s skill corps have been depleted by the portal, and I think that could be the difference.
MJ Morris appears to be healthy, and if State plays him the full game I think they win comfortably, but that’s not a guarantee. Regardless of the offense, I think you see the defense play well in this group’s last hurrah and carry State as they have most of the year against a capable Maryland offense, even with the personnel losses.
B.P. Cox (IPS Photographer)
State 31, Maryland 20
The Wolfpack will still be riding a high coming from their win against non-rival flagship UNC, even if it has been over a month ago.
Ben Finley proved he can step up and make plays for the offense. Speaking of offense, let’s see what new wrinkles will be added & shown now that Tim Beck has accepted the head role at Coastal Carolina and Kurt Roper picks up the controller for the offense (former OC at Duke, Florida, & SC).
My guess is Finley will get the start coming off the UNC win, but I expect we’ll see MJ Morris in packages as well. With Devin Carter leaving, State will need someone in the receiving corps to show up.
Look for Drake Thomas to have a career day knowing this will his last time suiting up for NC State.
As we’ve seen many times this season, the defense will set the tone for this matchup and ensure Dave gets the glory of the mayo bath. I can hear my grandmother fainting now if she saw all that Duke’s mayo not ending up on a tomato sandwich.