OUR FINAL TAKE: NC State vs. Miami
Several members of the Inside Pack Sports staff predict the winner of the NC State-Miami matchup.
James Henderson (IPS Publisher)
State 28, Miami 17
Again, I hate the setup, but NC State is the better overall team and I expect them to get the job done.
Miami is going to hit a few big plays because that’s their strength, but State’s experience on both sides will be the difference.
I’m normally going to go with the team that has the better quarterback and defense, regardless of location.
Steve Williams (IPS Football Recruiting Analyst)
State 35, Miami 24
When we talked to Tony Gibson during the off season the first game he talked about was how poorly his guys played against Miami. It was clear that contest really bothered him. It's been a focal point for months and I expect State to get some revenge this weekend.
Bryant Carson (IPS Football Analyst)
State 34, Miami 30
This should be an interesting game.
On the one hand you have Miami sitting at a tough 2-4 where perhaps they could easily be 4-2. They've lost several key players to injury and have had big problems with missed tackles. After a heartbreaking loss at UNC last weekend, will the Wolfpack find a Hurricane team ready to lay down, or will they find one with their backs up against the wall and ready to fight tooth and nail to turn their season around? It's certainly a team that's been capable of scoring, and if they get a spark defensively, create some turnovers, and even modestly improve their tackling they could well find their way back into the Coastal Division fight.
On the other sideline is a State team with a lot of opportunity in front of it and two of its biggest divisional challengers now behind them. Will State go to Coral Gables expecting a Clemson win and a large margin victory at BC to carry them through a struggling Miami squad, or will the Pack continue to be hungry and attack the Hurricanes with a complete four-quarter effort? I think both State and Miami play at high levels on Saturday with each side capitalizing on opportunities.
In the end I think State's experience and leadership will win the day and allow the Pack to return to Raleigh with a hard earned W.
Phillip Danford (IPS Football Analyst)
Miami 28, State 27
I don’t think many people predicted a 12 or 11 win season. This means that State has to lose at some point. And while I know State is the better team, the better team doesn’t always win. I think Miami still has the talent to beat most teams, and I hate the second of back-to-back road games being in prime time.
This game could come down to the wire with Miami making the last second play it’s missed over the previous two games. I hope I’m wrong.
Ethan Barry (IPS Writer)
State 27, Miami 21
I like NC State for a handful of reasons in a game I think is pretty close to a toss up: they’ve got the better defense, they’ve got the better quarterback, and they have done well in spots as a road favorite. I think that continues this week, although certainly the ‘Canes could steal a win.
I just don’t trust them enough to do so at this point. I trust this Pack team quite a bit and think they will be focused and take care of business
Jake McSwain (IPS Writer)
State 38, Miami 17
I haven’t shied away from being optimistic this season, and don’t see any reason to do so now.
Fundamentally Miami is unsound. They turn the ball over and aren’t good on the defensive side of the ball.
I am looking to see NC State control this one from the start with the ground game. I see some big pass plays coming after Miami starts to over commit. That combined with 2+ Miami turnovers leads to a fairly decisive victory.
Daniel Wilson (IPS Writer)
State 48, Miami 17
No D’Eriq King for the Hurricanes means that Miami’s offense is considerably less apt to explosively breaking past NC State’s defense. Considering the Wolfpack plopped 41 points on the scoreboard against the Canes last season, Devin Leary and company should have just as easy of a time finding the end zone.
To be clear, it won’t be a cakewalk for the Pack. Miami will make State fight for every blade of grass at Hard Rock Stadium. However, this game will end up as a stepping stone for Dave Doeren’s path to Charlotte.
BP Cox (IPS Photographer)
State 42, Miami 28
Bienvenido a Miami…Estamos aqui para hablar con el novato…
The #18 Wolfpack travel south to face The U in a matchup that long time NC State fans have traditionally lost sleep over. Not this time.
Very few Wolfpack teams can boast the solid defensive execution that this years squad displays. I look for the defensive backs to feast as the defensive line and linebackers show their appreciation for Van Dyke’s comments regarding State earlier this week.
Leary will command the offense and keep the points rolling this week as I have the Pack taking care of business.