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NC State Football

OUR FINAL TAKE: NC State vs. Marshall

September 22, 2018
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Several members of the Inside Pack Sports staff predict the winner of the NC State-Marshall matchup.


James Henderson (IPS Publisher)
NC State 35, Marshall 21
NC State wins this game.  Dave Doeren has performed well in these set-ups in recent years when you look back at the Old Dominion, South Alabama, and South Florida wins.  I think this team is built to do the same.

NC State is the better overall team with the better quarterback.  When you have a senior quarterback who values the football and rarely turns it over, it's hard to give games away.  I think the only way NC State loses this game is if they give it away.  

NC State has the better defense and better overall weapons. Everyone wants to talk about how last year's game turned out, but even with the Brady kid getting nearly 250 yards receiving, the Herd still lost by 17. That was with Nyheim Hines totaling 29 rushing yards.

Again, anything can happen and upsets (especially on the road) do happen, but I can't predict an upset like this happening when you have a team led by a veteran quarterback like Finley.  If NC State loses, it will be a fluke and I won't pick a fluke.

Steve Williams (IPS Football Recruiting Analyst)
Marshall 28, NC State 24

I'm going with Marshall which I'm sure isn't going to be a popular choice.

The atmosphere NC State sees Saturday will be one of the best (if not the best) of the season. That place will be in a frenzy and I think their players are going to feed off that.

The great equalizer to all of that in my opinion is the ability to run the football. I haven't seen anything so far that suggests the Pack will be able to go to Marshall and be effective running the ball. I just don't think you can be one dimensional and expect to go on the road in a hostile environment and be super successful.

If the Pack is to win I think it has to come off Marshall turnovers. If that doesn't happen then it's going to be a tough night for State. Hopefully I'm counting State way too short. 

Bryant Carson (IPS Football Analyst)
Marshall 28, NC State 27

I think State is the better team and that it would take a special effort in futility to lose this one.  However, I am going with Marshall.  

Last season, I think I was the only panel member to pick South Carolina to beat State in game one, and back then I said the same thing—State is probably the better team but there’s some things about this game I don’t like.  

Marshall played State really well for most of three quarters last season and probably feel like they had a legit shot to win the game (or that they should have won it).  It’s State’s first road game with a still relatively inexperienced defense.  

Finally, I assume State will be, at least on paper, Marshall’s biggest ‘name’ opponent at home this season (and maybe all season since their South Carolina game got canceled) in a night game on their field.  All that has me concerned and add in that Marshall returns 17 or 22 starters and I think State’s margin for error really shrinks.  If State plays a clean game offensively and sound game defensively then they probably win relatively easy…I just don’t feel like that’s what will happen.

Rob McLamb (IPS Beat Writer)
NC State 41, Marshall 17

The Wolfpack has a veteran quarterback, Marshall does not. NC State has more depth and the special teams are playing well for the Pack. Even the hurricane-related schedule change benefits State. This is a big game and expect Dave Doeren's team to show up. 

Daniel Wilson (IPS Writer)
NC State 38, Marshall 24

The Wolfpack won’t run away with this one unscathed, but State still shouldn’t have trouble finding the end zone.

The Thundering Herd will be the Pack’s biggest obstacle before heading into conference play, and traveling to Marshall makes the contest more difficult versus playing at home.

That being said, Ryan Finley has been more than able to find his rhythm in the pocket in the early going this year, and Saturday’s contest won’t be any different.

Ethan Barry (IPS Intern)
NC State 34, Marshall 20

The Pack is certainly the better team but it’s a road game at night and sometimes things get weird. If Chase Litton had returned, I would be terrified of this game.

However, Marshall only scored 20 points with Litton, and his absence will more than offset the defensive losses State had.

I think Marshall gets off to a fast start but Ryan Finley and the offense is too much for the Herd. 

Jackson Williford (IPS Contributor)
NC State 35, Marshall 24

Pack fans will probably remember that the Thundering Herd gave State fits last year in the first half. Record setting wide receiver Tyre Brady is back this year for Marshall, along with the majority of last year’s team that fought well in Carter Finley stadium. 

That doesn’t concern me in the slightest - I think Ryan Finley will really light it up with his full cast of receivers (and Cary Angeline) and the defense will continue to hold in the red zone. 

I expect a similar game to last years, with Marshall coming out hot and State reclaiming the lead as the game wears on.

 
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