Several members of the Inside Pack Sports staff predict the winner of the NC State-Louisville matchup.
James Henderson (IPS Publisher)
State 34, Louisville 24
Like this spot a lot better for State this week, coming home with Louisville on the road for the first time in nearly a month.
I think the defense will bounce back with a better overall performance and the offense makes more plays.
Steve Williams (IPS Football Recruiting Analyst)
State 34, Louisville 27
I think being back in Carter-Finley Stadium will be the difference in this one. The offense is going to need to step up and perhaps we'll get a glimpse of where Tim Beck plans to take it tonight. Defensively, the Pack's got a lot of holes to fill, but I think they'll do just enough to put the team in a position for the win.
Bryant Carson (IPS Football Analyst)
State 27, Louisville 23
I think Malik Cunningham's legs keep this game tight the whole way with the Wolfpack pulling out a close one on the back of their rowdy home crowd.
Phillip Danford (IPS Football Analyst)
State 33, Louisville 30
About 24 hours after giving a 37-34 prediction on our preview podcast I’ve decided I haven’t given the defenses enough credit. So I’ll exchange a touchdown for a field goal each.
But this doesn’t change my overall thoughts on this matchup. I think Louisville and Malik Cunningham present a down-to-down challenge not experienced by NC State this year. In a highly schemed offense, with a quarterback able to ad-lib, NC State must stay disciplined in their assignments.
On the offensive side for NC State, use your weapons — all of your weapons. The Wolfpack should be able to score through the air versus a secondary that has struggled for much of the year.
Ultimately, I believe this will be a close game with the lead changing multiple times. But NC State has the better roster. While Cunningham will surely win some downs, the Wolfpack should be able to win enough of the other positional battles to pull out the victory.
Ethan Barry (IPS Writer)
State 38, Louisville 27
From here on out I think State will need to lean on the offense quite a bit. With how the Pack has run their offense, will that work? I’m concerned about the long run and winning the division, but I think it gets the job done today. I still like the defense and think they will keep State in games, but it’s impossible to expect them to be on the same level and single-handedly win games, as they have the first half of the season. I like the Pack putting out their best offensive performance of the season to get the win today.
Daniel Wilson (IPS Writer)
State 34, Louisville 24
Expect an angry Wolfpack to pummel Louisville offensively but allow glimmers of hope for the Cardinals defensively. There will inevitably be some drop-off for State’s defense, but it won’t be catastrophic like some may believe. Devin Leary will be able to showcase his abilities and put up numbers comparable to those he dropped in Miami, but this time, he’ll come away with the victory.
