OUR FINAL TAKE: NC State vs. Georgia Tech
Several members of the Inside Pack Sports staff predict the winner of the NC State-Georgia Tech matchup.
James Henderson (IPS Publisher)
NC State 27, Georgia Tech 17
NC State needs this one badly, and I think they find a way to get it done.
Georgia Tech is limited offensively, and if State can prevent any cheap touchdowns it should be a tough night for Tech’s offense.
The Yellow Jackets have suffered a rash of injuries the last couple of weeks on the defensive side, which should give even more of an opportunity to the Pack’s ground game.
Zonovan Knight rushes for 100 yards and a score for the Wolfpack.
Steve Williams (IPS Football Recruiting Analyst)
NC State 24, Georgia Tech 14
I certainly don't think all of State's woes will be solved, but I do feel the Pack is the better team. This will be a big win for State and set up a monster showdown with UNC for bowl eligibility.
Bryant Carson (IPS Football Analyst)
Georgia Tech 27, NC State 24
If this game were in Carter-Finley I would probably be giving the same score prediction but with the opposite outcome. I might even pick State to win if it were a noon kick in front of sleepy GT crowd. However, it's a road game on a Thursday night, so I'm picking the Yellow Jackets in a close one. I wouldn't be completely shocked if the Wolfpack was to pull it out but, at this point, I'm not going to bet on it, either.
Rob McLamb (IPS Beat Writer)
NC State 28, Georgia Tech 14
This is the game that would seem as though NC State is too good to lose and Georgia Tech is too bad to win.
Expect the Yellow Jackets to be given some opportunities to win, but they do not capitalize. The Wolfpack has to put everything on the table this week. There is no tomorrow in the quest for bowl eligibility.
Ethan Barry (IPS Intern)
NC State 24, Georgia Tech 20
I've thought all year this is a game State wins and I can't back away now.
I think Georgia Tech is bad, and they just got smoked. Where are they at mentally? NC State has been dealing with adversity all year and has still been mentally engaged; that's not easy. I think State believes they can win this game more than GT does, and I think they get enough big plays from Devin Leary and Zonovan Knight.
The defense turns in another good performance, and this time against a bad offense.