TRI-PARTISAN: All The Pressure Is On UNC To Finally Beat State
Each week I submit a Tri-Partisan column to WRALSportsFan.com, and here is today's feature where I tell you why all the pressure is on North Carolina this weekend, which has been ideal for NC State.
WRALSportsFan.com: All The Pressure Is On UNC To Finally Beat State
The 2019 season hasn't gone the way NC State fans would have wanted but sometimes that happens. We all knew coming into the year that there were major question marks on both sides of the ball, starting at quarterback. Add in the youth at multiple positions and the insane amount of injuries, and this is where we're at... NC State won't make a bowl for the first time since 2013.
However, it's rivalry week and this game matters every year. NC State vs. North Carolina, Saturday night in Carter-Finley Stadium.
The last two years, we've seen NC State come into this game with much more to play for. The Pack was a heavy favorite in each of the last two years but that isn't always the best position to be in, especially in this rivalry. While State was able to win both games, it wasn't easy. State trailed much of the game two years ago before star tailback Nyheim Hines broke off two long touchdown runs in the second half to give the Pack a cushion. In 2018, NC State needed five touchdowns from Reggie “The Bus” Gallaspy to defeat a two-win Carolina squad in overtime.
What was supposed to be easy, was far from it. That has been more of the norm in this series and why rivalry games are so unique. Sometimes the favorite wins, but it's rarely easy and often the underdog comes through with a big-time performance.
Usually that has been NC State.
Remember back in 2014 when both teams were 6-5 entering the season finale and North Carolina was favored by a touchdown in Chapel Hill? The Heels had won two straight in the series and all week we heard how NC State likely wouldn't be able to compete. Well, State rushed for nearly 400 yards and passed the ball just 11 times, thumping Carolina 35-7.
What about in 2016 when State, at 5-6, needed a win at Carolina to reach a bowl? The Heels were 8-3 and double-digit favorites with star quarterback Mitch Trubisky setting records A UNC win would have been the third in four games in the series and possibly end Doeren's tenure. State jumped all over the Heels, cruising to a 28-21 win after leading 28-7 midway through the fourth quarter. That win propelled NC State to a bowl, and the Pack followed with back-to-back nine-win seasons and the two recent victories over the Heels.
While both teams this year have nearly identical records, the vibe around the two programs is much different. NC State is looking to just finish out the season, a down year where during the stretch the Pack could never really put together four-quarter performances on both sides of the ball. Devin Leary is starting to play more consistent at quarterback, but at 4-7, the season will end, win or lose, on Saturday. Click the link to read the rest of the story: LINK