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NC State Football

OUR FINAL TAKE: NC State vs. Wake Forest

September 19, 2020
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Several members of the Inside Pack Sports staff predict the winner of the NC State-Wake Forest matchup.


James Henderson (IPS Publisher)
NC State 27, Wake Forest 20
I believe NC State has a chance to make an early statement tonight against Wake Forest.  With a ton of returning starters on both sides of the ball, can the Pack put together a full game and snap a three-game losing streak to Wake?

The answer is yes.

Steve Williams (IPS Football Recruiting Analyst)
NC State 24, Wake Forest 21

Opening games against a quality opponent are tough to predict because there are so many unknowns as you enter a new season. I believe this will be a tough game for the Pack, but in the end, I think State's offensive line and run game will be the difference.

I think they'll help State dictate the game and ultimately lead the Wolfpack to their first win of the season.

Bryant Carson (IPS Football Analyst)
Wake Forest 27, NC State 20
Watching games last weekend, one thing was evident--teams were sloppy/rusty coming out of the gate.  I think NCSU will be even further behind most schools with the change of coordinators, positions coaches, and QB uncertainty. 

My guess is that State will take a few weeks to get things tuned up and in sync before surprising some teams toward the back end of their schedule.  I think this is a close game where State gives away too much early to make up for late.  

Phillip Danford (IPS Football Analyst)
Wake Forest 27, NC State 20

It's been 294 days since NC State last took a competitive snap.  During that time we've seen an upheaval of the coaching staff to go along with the most uncertain off-season of the modern college football era.  And while I believe the changes made will benefit the program in the long-run, I wouldn't be shocked to see limited playbooks and inconsistent play to start the season.

Daniel Wilson (IPS Writer)
NC State 24, Wake Forest 17
This is an incensed Wolfpack team that is taking on a downtrodden Wake Forest. Though I expect the Demon Deacons to try and avenge their loss to Clemson, State has much more to prove, and that intensity will show up in its play.

Ethan Barry (IPS Writer)
NC State 27, Wake Forest 24
 I'm picking the Pack here for one main reason: Wake Forest played Clemson last week and the track record of teams the week after they play Clemson is very bad. In 2018, ACC teams went winless the week after facing the Tigers. I do think Wake has the advantage that they played last week, but how healthy are they after getting beat up by Clemson?

Sam Hartman was knocked out of the game. Is he ready to go? Plus, State was able to get an extra week of practice (which they badly needed after the short offseason) and to get healthy. Finally, State has no film out on them with a brand new coaching staff; they've got the element of surprise in this game. Will any of this matter? No, it'll come down to turnovers and quarterback play. All of that to say, I think State has the slightest of slight advantages in a toss up game, so I'll ride with the Pack. 

Andrew Schnittker (IPS Writer)
NC State 24, Wake Forest 20

I think it's going to be a big advantage that State has tape on Wake Forest while Wake doesn't have any on this State team yet. I think the defense slows down Sam Hartman and friends, Devin Leary makes just enough plays and the run game has a big night as the Pack opens its season with a win and snaps the skid against Wake Forest. 

James Johnson (IPS Film Analyst)
NC State 21, Wake Forest 17

Hard first game to pick and not a lot to analyze. I think State is the more talented team and has a week of film to use as prep. Wake has had a week to get up to game speed. My take is State takes advantage of that film, being much more healthy than the majority of last season and a new offensive scheme to take the season opener. 

Jake McSwain (IPS Writer)
NC State 24, Wake Forest 21

Wake Forest is coming out of a game where they were thoroughly dominated, while State has yet to take the field. At the end of the day we don’t really know too much about either team.

In turn, my confidence level in this pick is not very high. Ultimately I feel like NC State is the more talented team, and call me an optimist but I think Devin Leary outplays expectations.

 
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