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NC State Football

OUR FINAL TAKES: No. 16 NC State vs. No. 3 Clemson

October 20, 2018
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Several members of the Inside Pack Sports staff predict the winner of the NC State-Clemson matchup.    


James Henderson (IPS Publisher)
Clemson 31, NC State 24
I think NC State can win this game.  I really do, and wouldn't be shocked at all to see a performance similar to what we saw last year in Tallahassee where State jumped out front early and maintained control.

However, it's hard to actually pick against Clemson at home.  If this game was in Raleigh, I would be picking the Wolfpack.

I think State won't sneak up on Clemson. This is their toughest game left on the schedule and they understand the importance of it. I expect NC State to get "A-level" Clemson, and that's going to be a tough challenge.  

I do think NC State covers and has a chance into the fourth quarter, but I'm going Clemson over NC State, 31-24.

Steve Williams (IPS Football Recruiting Analyst)
Clemson 38, NC State 24
I feel like the game is going to be close, but Clemson scores late. The Tigers have so much speed at the skill positions and roll out arguably the best defensive line in the nation.

That's a tall order to beat on the road.

Bryant Carson (IPS Football Analyst)
Clemson 34, NC State 27

I’m very intrigued by this matchup because I think there are a few aspects that are heavily in State’s favor.  I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if State lost the game by two TDs or won by two.  

If this one were in Carter-Finley I would probably give the nod to the Pack, but Death Valley is a tough place to play and Clemson, until proven otherwise, is still the best team in the conference.  It also doesn’t work in State’s favor that Clemson will not be looking past the Pack this year after two very close calls against them in 2016 and 2017.  

In fact, NC State might well be the Tigers' best chance of losing the rest of the season.  I believe Clemson will come out of the gate hot and put State in a hole that the Pack will ultimately not be able to dig themselves out of.  

Rob McLamb (IPS Beat Writer)
Clemson 52, NC State 42

NC State has earned to right to be considered a football program that can be competitive with Clemson. The Wolfpack has yet to prove it should be picked to beat the Tigers, however. 

A win for NC State would not be completely stunning, but it is not something that should be projected at this point.

Expect both teams to move the ball up and down the field. Clemson has the home-field advantage, a championship pedigree, and, most importantly, a better running game. That should be enough for the Tigers to find a way. 

Daniel Wilson (IPS Writer)
NC State 45, Clemson 42

The Tigers are currently favored by three possessions over the Wolfpack. I’m not a betting man, but if I were, this would be the game I’d put my money on State.

Despite what Vegas and the various pundits are predicting for this game, this will be a barnburner from start to finish. Reminiscent of their clash two years ago, this should go down to the wire with the victor emerging by less than one possession. However, this will be the year that the Wolfpack comes away with the win, ending a six-year losing streak and a seven-game skid in Death Valley.

Both offenses are going to throw everything but the kitchen sink at each other, so expect a career game from Ryan Finley. The defenses will be pushed to the limit, and there will be plenty of turnovers to be had. To cap it off, the outcome of the game will be put behind Christopher Dunn who will finally dissipate the cloud that’s been hanging over the program since 2016. 

Ethan Barry (IPS Intern)
NC State 38, Clemson 35

I know Wolfpack fans always expect the worst, but the way I look at it is the law of averages. At some point it’s going to swing the other way, and this is a game it swings the other way. I think Ryan Finley delivers and the defense does enough against Travis Etienne to keep him somewhat under control.

Trevor Lawrence looks like a freshman sometimes and a star at others. Finley gets the game-winning drive before the defense gets a last-minute stop.

Jackson Williford (IPS Intern)
Clemson 35, NC State 28

This is it. The de facto Atlantic Division title game.

The Pack's football program has come a long ways over Dave Doeren's tenure at State, and if this game were at home I'd probably be picking the Wolfpack.

Clemson is just too good, in my opinion. I see Finley having a solid game on the road against a susceptible secondary, but Clemson's explosive offense will be too much in the end -- Travis Etienne's speed and Trevor Lawrence's ability to connect on deep shots gives Clemson a combo they haven't had in the past, and I think explosive plays will be the difference (once again.)

I see the Tigers winning a close one, 35-28, but I won't be surprised if the Pack finally pulls it off.

 
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