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NC State Football
OUR FINAL TAKE: NC State vs. South Carolina
The Inside Pack Sports staff predicts the winner of the NC State-South Carolina matchup and tells you why!
NC State is the better team in the trenches and has more overall experience, and I think both of those advantages are critical, particuarly early in the season.
South Carolina is going to put up some points because they are talented and have explosive playmakers, but NC State's offense should be able to score even easier against the Gamecock defense.
The Wolfpack ended 2016 with a win over a SEC opponent and will begin 2017 with another 31-21.
NC State's defense, particularly the line, should be in control. South Carolina is a talented team, but the Wolfpack should do well when the Gamecocks match into the red zone. There will be times when the Pack bends, but they will not often break.
The Wolfpack may struggle early to establish an offensive identity, and South Carolina has quality players on defense, but look for there to be plenty of scores.
Ryan Finley will have an economical performance where his completion percentage is high and he slings three or four touchdown passes -- including a late one to seal a season opening win for the Pack.
Here’s the deal... in recent history State hasn’t won these games (opening games against 'decent' competition). Going back to Tom O’Brien’s first season in Raleigh in 2007 when the Pack opened with a decent Central Florida team and lost. In year three under O’Brien there was a good amount of hype leading in to the season opener, a home contest against…you guessed it (or otherwise knew it), South Carolina and lost.
Then there was the 2012 opener against Tennessee…lost it.
I felt like in each of those seasons State was the better team by the end of the year and had they replayed each of those teams in November the end result would have been different.
On paper State certainly looks like the better and more experienced team, the odds-makers seem to favor State by right around a touchdown—it all smells like a State win is brewing but, until proven otherwise, I will not predict one.
NC State is the better team and that will show on Saturday.
Ryan Finley will be on point with the short passing game and he and Eliah Drinkwitz will get their playmakers the ball in space.
Defensively, State will do a good job keeping the SC ground game in check. The young secondary may give up a big play but it will not be enough to let the Gamecocks hang around.
NC State needs to make a statement win to begin this season, and the Wolfpack will make an example of the Gamecocks as to why it needs to be considered a national power for this season.
The defensive regime will hold South Carolina down while Ryan Finley and the offense will have their way with the Cocks.
Getting a non-conference, Power-5 win is of the upmost importance to start this year right, and this will potentially be the start of the Pack's best season in recent memory.
While NC State will win, it will be closer than most Wolfpack fans would like. State's defensive will cause problems for South Carolina but the Pack's offense will have trouble running the ball.
State wins 20-17.
I honestly don't know what to expect on Saturday.
It's hard for me to be confident in the Pack, given what's happened with this team in the past, but I think the Pack leaves Charlotte with a win.
NC State is the better team in the trenches, on both sides, and that's where I look for this game to be decided. I think State leaves the Queen City with a 35-24 win, but I wouldn't be surprised if the advantage is smaller.
I believe the Pack wins this one by double digits. They understand the opportunity in front of them and will be prepared. I do expect Bentley to catch the Pack secondary off guard a couple of times though.
Three sacks by the Wolfpack D-Line, and the Pack will cause two turnovers. Jay Sam... two touchdowns. Ryan Finley, two touchdown passes (Jay Sam, Kelvin Harmon). Reggie Gallaspy, one rushing touchdown, and Carson Wise kicks a field goal.
James Henderson (IPS Publisher)
NC State 31, South Carolina 21NC State is the better team in the trenches and has more overall experience, and I think both of those advantages are critical, particuarly early in the season.
South Carolina is going to put up some points because they are talented and have explosive playmakers, but NC State's offense should be able to score even easier against the Gamecock defense.
The Wolfpack ended 2016 with a win over a SEC opponent and will begin 2017 with another 31-21.
Rob McLamb (IPS Beat Writer)
NC State 28, South Carolina 16NC State's defense, particularly the line, should be in control. South Carolina is a talented team, but the Wolfpack should do well when the Gamecocks match into the red zone. There will be times when the Pack bends, but they will not often break.
The Wolfpack may struggle early to establish an offensive identity, and South Carolina has quality players on defense, but look for there to be plenty of scores.
On paper State certainly looks like the better and more experienced team, the odds-makers seem to favor State by right around a touchdown—it all smells like a State win is brewing but, until proven otherwise, I will not predict one.
Ryan Finley will have an economical performance where his completion percentage is high and he slings three or four touchdown passes -- including a late one to seal a season opening win for the Pack.
Bryant Carson (IPS Football Analyst)
South Carolina 31, NC State 27Here’s the deal... in recent history State hasn’t won these games (opening games against 'decent' competition). Going back to Tom O’Brien’s first season in Raleigh in 2007 when the Pack opened with a decent Central Florida team and lost. In year three under O’Brien there was a good amount of hype leading in to the season opener, a home contest against…you guessed it (or otherwise knew it), South Carolina and lost.
Then there was the 2012 opener against Tennessee…lost it.
I felt like in each of those seasons State was the better team by the end of the year and had they replayed each of those teams in November the end result would have been different.
On paper State certainly looks like the better and more experienced team, the odds-makers seem to favor State by right around a touchdown—it all smells like a State win is brewing but, until proven otherwise, I will not predict one.
James Johnson (IPS Football Analyst)
NC State 27, South Carolina 13NC State is the better team and that will show on Saturday.
NC State is the better team and that will show on Saturday. The program as a whole realizes it is the year to step forward and I expect the attention to detail and focus to be exceptional.
The program as a whole realizes it is the year to step forward and I expect the attention to detail and focus to be exceptional.Ryan Finley will be on point with the short passing game and he and Eliah Drinkwitz will get their playmakers the ball in space.
Defensively, State will do a good job keeping the SC ground game in check. The young secondary may give up a big play but it will not be enough to let the Gamecocks hang around.
Daniel Wilson (IPS Writer)
NC State 38, South Carolina 10NC State needs to make a statement win to begin this season, and the Wolfpack will make an example of the Gamecocks as to why it needs to be considered a national power for this season.
The defensive regime will hold South Carolina down while Ryan Finley and the offense will have their way with the Cocks.
Getting a non-conference, Power-5 win is of the upmost importance to start this year right, and this will potentially be the start of the Pack's best season in recent memory.
Jeff Reeves (IPS Photographer)
NC State 20, South Carolina 17While NC State will win, it will be closer than most Wolfpack fans would like. State's defensive will cause problems for South Carolina but the Pack's offense will have trouble running the ball.
State wins 20-17.
Jackson Williford (IPS Writer)
NC State 35, South Carolina 24I honestly don't know what to expect on Saturday.
It's hard for me to be confident in the Pack, given what's happened with this team in the past, but I think the Pack leaves Charlotte with a win.
I honestly don't know what to expect on Saturday.
NC State is the better team in the trenches, on both sides, and that's where I look for this game to be decided. I think State leaves the Queen City with a 35-24 win, but I wouldn't be surprised if the advantage is smaller.
Austin Parker (IPS Writer)
NC State 31, South Carolina 17I believe the Pack wins this one by double digits. They understand the opportunity in front of them and will be prepared. I do expect Bentley to catch the Pack secondary off guard a couple of times though.
Three sacks by the Wolfpack D-Line, and the Pack will cause two turnovers. Jay Sam... two touchdowns. Ryan Finley, two touchdown passes (Jay Sam, Kelvin Harmon). Reggie Gallaspy, one rushing touchdown, and Carson Wise kicks a field goal.
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