OUR FINAL TAKE: NC State vs. East Carolina
Several members of the Inside Pack Sports staff predict the winner of the NC State-East Carolina matchup.
James Henderson (IPS Publisher)
NC State 34, East Carolina 14
I don’t expect a high-scoring game, but I do think NC State’s defense should excel on Saturday with the offense doing enough, especially late, against the Pirates.
Steve Williams (IPS Football Recruiting Analyst)
NC State 27, East Carolina 17
It's home. It's opening day. State has more talent and with that, I think the Pack wins. We all know it won't be the blowout State enjoyed in 2018. I completely expect it to be closer, perhaps a lot closer, but State wins it pulling away in the second half.
Bryant Carson (IPS Football Analyst)
NC State 30, East Carolina 24
I think State wins in a game that is closer than most think. There are just too many variables and unknowns for me to expect State to go out and have a dominate offensive performance in game one.
I think Chris Dunn may well be called on several times throughout the day to complete drives for the State offense. Meanwhile, the one advantage that ECU has is probably having a proven QB and a guy that can do a lot with his legs when everything breaks down. I don’t think Holton Ahlers is quite Tim Tebow, but he gets that comparison for a reason.
All it takes is a few simple breakdowns defensively to lose sight of Ahlers and have it cost you some points.
Rob McLamb (IPS Beat Writer)
NC State 44, East Carolina 17
Buoyed by a new coaching staff and motivated by a historic loss against NC State only months ago, look for East Carolina to make plays and be competitive in the first half.
The Wolfpack has more talent and depth however. Expect to see State pull away in the second half, with the running game being a factor. The Pack has the potential to rush for between 200-to-250 yards, and that is how you can control an opposing offense when your defense is not on the field. NC State just has too much firepower.
Daniel Wilson (IPS Writer)
NC State 48, East Carolina 10
It won’t be as massive of a blowout as it was last season, but this will be a relatively easy one for the Wolfpack to run away with. The running game should have an absolute field day as State starts the 2019 season on a high note.
Ethan Barry (IPS Writer)
NC State 38, East Carolina 17
I think this game will be closer than the score shows throughout and then the Pack will pull away more than talent and depth in the second half. There will be some panic when ECU has an early lead and is playing with confidence, but the Pack will eventually start to take over and cover the spread with a late touchdown.
Jake McSwain (IPS Writer)
NC State 38, East Carolina 17
Some things have changed since NC State throttled ECU on December 1st. NC State will be lining up with an experienced QB, and will have different names at most of its skill positions. ECU meanwhile has a huge upgrade in Head coach Mike Houston.
One thing has not changed however, being that NC State is still Vastly superior in terms of talent on the roster. At the end of the day I view that talent gap as being an insurmountable obstacle for ECU. I expect State's D-Line to manhandle their match ups and for the offense to turn in a favorable day resulting in a lopsided score.