Several members of the Inside Pack Sports staff predict the winner of the NC State-Miami matchup.
James Henderson (IPS Publisher)
State 24, Miami 20
I feel like NC State will win tonight. Defense comes up big.
Steve Williams (IPS Football Recruiting Analyst)
Miami 27, State 21
This is a really hard game for me to call because both teams have been fairly consistent in their inconsistency.
I picked Miami because I think injures have reached critical mass for NC State, especially on the defensive side of the ball. We even saw this trickle over to the offensive side of the ball versus UNC. To win, I think State has to get a huge game out of Bailey Hockman, and at this point it's difficult for me to put a lot of faith in that happening.
Bryant Carson (IPS Football Analyst)
Miami 31, State 21
State desperately needed a bye week with all the injuries piling up. The hope is that the Pack got the chance to heal but also to take a step back and correct some errors and evaluate where this team and coaching staff needs to go from this point.
Having said all of that, I have no idea what to expect out of this group offensively or defensively coming out of the bye, so I'm going to essentially agree with the experts in Vegas on this one and expect a 7-13-ish point win for the Hurricanes.
However, if State puts together a solid offensive game plan for Hockman and the defense returns to the unit we saw the 3-weeks leading up to the UNC game, then the Pack will have a great chance to come out of this one with a win.
James Johnson (IPS Football Analyst)
Pack 24, Miami 21
Does the Pack pull an upset as double-digits dogs? A game winning field goal and stellar defensive performance say yes, they do.
Phillip Danford (IPS Football Analyst)
Miami 23, State 21
Coming off a loss in which N.C. State was pushed around, I’m sure reestablishing physicality, on both sides of the ball, has been emphasized during the off week. And I think it can happen against a Miami team that plays in more of a “finesse” manner than any Miami team I can remember from years past.
But my concern lies with the scrambling ability of D’Eriq King. Can N.C. State contain him? Can the Wolfpack offense score early and force the Canes to chase points? That is something they haven’t had to do this year outside of Clemson.
Ultimately, I think the legs of King and a stout special teams group simply make one too many plays against N.C. State and sneak out of Raleigh with a narrow victory.
Ethan Barry (IPS Writer)
Miami 31, State 21
Just like UNC, I think State has more than a fighter’s chance, but too many things need to go their way for me to pick them to win. On the bright side, I don't think State needs as many things to go their way as they did against UNC.
Ultimately, I think State won't be able to do enough of those things and Bailey Hockman won't be able to make enough big plays to keep up with D'Eriq King.
Jake McSwain (IPS Analyst)
State 28, Miami 24
Call this one a hunch. I think State comes out relatively hot and gets a lot of momentum from the run game. Defense does just enough by turning Miami over once or twice. The biggest question will be if Hockman can do enough to keep the Canes’ defense honest.
At the end of the day, I have a good feeling going into this.
Daniel Wilson (IPS Writer)
Miami 45, State 28
The Wolfpack will win out the rest of the season. However, that winning streak will start after this game. State will try to keep pace, but the Hurricanes should create separation in the second and third quarters. Expect a bit of stat-padding from the Pack in the fourth so there’s at least something to be optimistic going into the next week.
Andrew Schnittker (IPS Writer)
Miami 34, State 20
I think NC State will play much better than against UNC, but it won't be enough against a very good Miami team. King will make enough plays to lead the Miami offense to a big day and Bailey Hockman won't be able to keep up. This shouldn't be nearly as demoralizing of a loss, though, and the Pack should be ready to move on from this one to a winnable stretch to close out the year.
BP Cox (IPS Photographer)
Miami 28, State 17
The bye week comes at the right time for the Pack coming off a tough loss against non-rival UNC.
While we will see Bailey Hockman start, I’m sure Ben Finley will see some action. Regardless of who is under center, Miami’s defensive pressure will be stout. Hopefully a strong run game will be in the mix to take the pressure off the QB.
While the bye week and being back home will help, I’m afraid Miami’s D’Eriq King & Cam’Ron Harris might be too much for State.
