OUR FINAL TAKE: NC State vs. Louisiana Tech
Several members of the Inside Pack Sports staff predict the winner of the NC State-Louisiana Tech matchup.
James Henderson (IPS Publisher)
State 1,000,000, La. Tech 0
I want to see State not give up a single yard and score a touchdown on every play.
(No clue how much State cares about point differential but I expect them to win easily).
Steve Williams (IPS Football Recruiting Analyst)
State 45, La. Tech 10
I'm fully expecting the Pack to bounce back, and they should. This cannot be a repeat of the Western Carolina game because even in a win, it's going to come off feeling like a loss if the Pack stumbles and bumbles through the game. Put your foot on the gas from the opening kick and don't let up.
Bryant Carson (IPS Football Analyst)
State 31, La. Tech 23
I think State does come out and start fast in this one but puts the brakes on in the second half in a game that is closer than most State fans want it to be.
Phillip Danford (IPS Football Analyst)
State 34, La. Tech 13
There is nothing more this team and fanbase needs right now than another game to discuss. We’ve got to wash the taste of that Tennessee contest from our collective mouths and this should be primed as a bounce back game for the Pack. They have a distinct talent advantage and should be playing angry. At the conclusion of this game we’ll be at the quarter mark of the season, and if they can’t show a high-end performance, my concern will grow immensely.
Alex Gee (IPS Analyst)
State 38, La. Tech 13
I think we see a more free State group. They looked too wound up Saturday against Tennessee. This feels like a get-right game, and I expect it to be. I’m hoping to see some space and easy looks from Grayson McCall, and I’d love to see an emphasis on the zone run game.
Defensively, I hope to not see Travali Price so he can be as close to healthy as possible against Clemson. Get after them in the turnover battle and win with your interior 3-5 so the backend guys can cut loose and ballhawk.
James Johnson (IPS Analyst)
State 41, La. Tech 14
The Wolfpack starts putting things together this week. After an explosive first half, it gives way to the second with some grinding drives that leaves fans still unhappy.
Rob McLamb (IPS Writer)
State 38, La. Tech 20
I predict the offense will feel a little better but there will still be some defensive concerns after this contest. I base that on the Bulldogs having a bye week prior to the contest and having only put one game on film so far. The 3-3-5 defense that Louisiana Tech runs has enough similarities that it lends itself to the NC State offense doing some good things Saturday -- especially considering that they practice against the same concepts frequently.
Dishing out a perfunctory beatdown would be optimal for NCSU. If the Wolfpack rolls on Saturday, things look a lot better for the trip down south next weekend to visit the Great Orange Menace.
PJ Williams (IPS Recruiting Analyst)
State 37, La. Tech 13
I expect (hope?) State to come out with their hair on fire, ready to put points on the board. I mentioned in my "Critical Questions" that in an ideal world, we'd be taking shots and finding big holes in the run game.
Ultimately, it doesn't matter how it's done, but put this one away quickly, turn the vibes around, and enter the week of Clemson prep feeling good about yourselves. I don't think the Bulldogs should be in this one for long. If they are, I'm significantly more worried heading into Death Valley.
Jeff Reeves (IPS Photographer)
State 38, La. Tech 17
I really hope the Pack gets it all together this week. The offense will put away La. Tech early. The first-string defense will shut down the Bulldogs, but Tech will score some points late.
Sam Locklear (IPS Intern)
State 42, La. Tech 10
NC State has to finally get things together, and that'll happen tomorrow. The offense will look like we hoped it would with a strong run game. The offensive line will be much improved. The defense will also do what they normally do and stall Louisiana Tech's offense. This should be a nice bounce back game for NC State.
Jake McSwain (IPS Writer)
State 41, La. Tech 10
I trust in this team’s leadership enough that I believe they will reach their potential sooner rather than later, and tomorrow’s game is as good a time of any to get started.
Additionally, given that La Tech’s defensive philosophy lines up with State’s game plan, I think we see a high output offensively this week.
At the end of the year I think we look back on this game as the one that started a run.
Runa Cooper (IPS Contributor)
State 38, La. Tech 17
When NC State has the ball...
My hope is that State comes out three wide and gives up on the two tight end set. Not convinced that is what they will do, though. I expect to see a big game from KC and Joly. I hope Rogers gets targets, but we shall see. Can we run the ball better than we did against Western Carolina?
When NC State is on defense...
From the pregame podcasts it doesn't sound like La Tech is much of a threat to throw the ball. Judging from the first two games they should have decent success running the football.
BP Cox (IPS Photographer)
State 31, La. Tech 24
The Wolfpack are back at square one after getting the Sloppy Top treatment from Tennessee last Saturday. Hopefully McCall can reset mentally and put together a strong game from start to finish to prepare for ACC play.
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