OUR FINAL TAKE: NC State vs. Virginia
Several members of the Inside Pack Sports staff predict the winner of the NC State-Virginia matchup.
James Henderson (IPS Publisher)
State 35, Virginia 13
I’m going with the Pack here, in a game that sets up well for State. Virginia struggles to sustain drives and is leaky defensively, which should allow State to build an early lead and force the Cavs to chase points.
Steve Williams (IPS Football Recruiting Analyst)
State 31, Virginia 20
I'd really like to see State get off to a fast start and set the tone early. That's always key for any road game in my opinion. Virginia may stay within striking distance for a while but I think the Pack is just too talented to lose unless they decide to beat themselves.
Bryant Carson (IPS Football Analyst)
State 24, Virginia 17
I think this game will end up being closer than some imagine. UVA is 0-3 on the season but that record is a bit deceptive as they've also had a fairly difficult schedule to open the season. I've talked about all the backstories in this game and if State goes up to Charlottesville expecting to merely show up and win then things could go sideways quickly for the Pack. Ultimately, I think the Wolfpack defense will prove to be too much for UVA to overcome.
Phillip Danford (IPS Football Analyst)
State 24, Virginia 10
For the Wolfpack to come back to Raleigh with a victory they simply need to handle their business. UVA is a program currently struggling and a team that will need errors from their opponents to have a legit chance in the end. Limit turnovers. Limit penalties. And limit UVA’s attempts at explosive offensive plays. Learn from the Boston College game last year and get the conference slate started off right.
Rob McLamb (IPS Writer)
State 30, Virginia 13
I am not sure that NC State will go up to Scott Stadium -- which can be a tricky place to play -- and just simply dominate, but the Wolfpack likely has a little too much for the Cavaliers.
Virginia's only advantage on offense is numerical in the fronts (five blockers against three linemen) but NC State's starters on the defensive line have been high-motor, and are also certain to be augmented by blitzing linebackers and/or nickels. The Wahoos don't seem to have the skill players that can win one-on-ones or are quick enough to find the soft spots before the pressure kicks in and decisions have to be made. UVa's best form of offense might simply be a running quarterback, but that is assuming that whoever the Wahoos put back the game scampers in time to avoid sacks/loss of yardage while also spending enough time on check-downs.
The Cavaliers also have a burden of proof in that they must show that if the game is on the line late, they will not falter and turn the ball over en route to a capitulation like what occurred against Maryland.
For me, this is one of the most important three-game stretches in Dave Doeren's tenure at NC State. His 2023 squad looks like it is more of the 'reboot' type and not a viable contender for a conference title. In that case, it needs to still reach six wins and then more so as to avoid the fates of 2013 and 2019. Rebooting teams that are young can still reach bowl games and can set the table for greater things in the coming seasons, but they can also overachieve.
The youthful core of the Wolfpack is such that -- assuming it can be mostly kept together -- it is not out of the realm of possibility to think that 2024-2026 can be a fantastic, Holtz-like era for the program. Everything NCSU accomplishes now helps that pursuit. The possibility of winning the next three games (at Virginia, Louisville, Marshall) is real, and a 5-1 Wolfpack squad that is in Durham to take on Duke will then have a massive opportunity without any reason to think that it cannot get the job done. It starts with UVa.
Alex Gee (IPS Analyst)
State 31, Virginia 10
Styles make fights. Sometimes you get strength vs. strength and a 10 round slugfest. I think Friday night is strength vs. weakness. State's defensive front is going to overwhelm UVA physically. That group has gotten better each week and has a super high ceiling still to reach. Pair that with State's ability to trust their outside cover guys... I think that sets up for a tough night for UVA's offense.
I also think this is the week State takes a leap forward on offense. I feel as though the pieces are beginning to fit together and we are seeing some connections click with WR and QB. The OL has been playing well also. Even with the loss of Jordan Houston, I think this is a springboard week for NC State into ACC play. I said it right after the Notre Dame loss regarding some offensive doubt, get to September 29th and let's check back in. I still feel good about that statement.
Jake McSwain (IPS Writer)
State 41, Virginia 17
I honestly feel like Brennan Armstrong is going to show out this game. I’m thinking 300+ yards and 3+ touchdowns.
Defensively I think State does a decent job limiting explosive plays but one or two connect. In the process however, I think they create multiple turnovers as well.
Jake Caccavaro (IPS Writer)
State 37, Virginia 17
I think NC State will dominate in all facets of the game. NC State is more talented all across the board and has better coaching. The Pack should roll.
Daniel Wilson (IPS Writer)
State 38, Virginia 6
The Wolfpack should have relatively no trouble taking care of Virginia. Brennan Armstrong has had a ton of success on the Scott Stadium field, and that’s not going to change. However, it’s Tony Gibson’s defense that’s going to win the day for the Wolfpack.
Jeff Reeves (IPS Photographer)
State 31, Virginia 14
The NC State defense will be too much for the Virginia offense. The Wahoos will come out swinging and get points on the board early but the Pack interior will own the Cavs' o-line in the long run. State will have too much athleticism on offense for Virginia to keep up for four quarters.
Delbert Mimms will punch in a couple of scores and Armstrong will add two more - in the air and one on the ground.
Runa Cooper (IPS Sponsor)
State 27, Virginia 17
With all their new pieces NC State should in theory improve week to week. I look for this week to be one where they can show how much they have improved from the beginning of the season.
On offense, I think Armstrong and the WR's should be able to continue to build their connection and produce through the air. The thought of Michael Allen, Raphael, and Mimms getting more carries excites me in the run game.
On defense, the secondary took a step forward last week, was it just because of competition or are they improving in their roles? I think it was a combination of both and they should continue to improve this week.
Charlottesville is a perfect place to play your first conference road game, as long as we are not intimidated by frats in white collared shirts and orange/blue striped ties we should be ok.