Several members of the Inside Pack Sports staff predict the winner of the NC State-Wake Forest matchup.
James Henderson (IPS Publisher)
State 31, Wake 24
I feel like NC State is the better team. Doesn't mean they’ll win, but I do think when you factor in all three phases, I like the Pack in this one.
State’s defense should be the difference for the Pack. I just have more confidence in them making stops late than Wake Forest
We’ll see what happens.
Steve Williams (IPS Football Recruiting Analyst)
Wake 38, State 31
The Pack has struggled against teams that can throw the football, and Sam Hartman is one of the best in the ACC. I think the way State’s defense has played this year is one of the best stories in the conference that no one outside of Raleigh seems to talk about. But at some point all the missing pieces tend to get exposed. Offensively, you’re likely going to need to score points in bunches, and I just don’t know if the Pack is built that way.
Bryant Carson (IPS Football Analyst)
Wake Forest 34, State 28
This is a tough call. On the one hand I do believe State is and has been the better team this season. On the other is that I feel like Winston is where State's dreams go to die. History may be irrelevant in sports, because every team and every season is different, but for some reason Philip Rivers lost there as a SR, Russ Wilson never won there, Glennon never won there, Ryan Finley never won there--it's just odd.
We'll see how Wake responds this week after getting a dose of humility from the Tarheels last weekend--will they snap back to life and play well in a game they know to be huge, or will they question how good they are and crumble under the pressure of a big game? Unfortunately, I feel like it'll be the former and State will get an “A” version of the Deacs on their field in a night game. Ultimately, I think it's a close game where both teams play well with the difference being too many penalties from the Pack.
Phillip Danford (IPS Football Analyst)
State 34, Wake 28
Complimentary football.
It’s how NC State has gotten themselves in this position. And, it’s why NC State is going to win this game. While the Wake Forest offense consistently plays to counteract their defensive performance, the Wolfpack has shown the ability to play at a high level in not just these two phases but special teams as well.
Time to go get it.
Ethan Barry (IPS Writer)
State 35, Wake 34
In the biggest game of the year, I’m picking the team I think is better. In addition, I don’t like this spot for Wake. If I’m State, I’d rather see Wake off a win and still due a loss, but I still think the pressure is on Wake as the higher ranked team, favored, and coming off of an emotional loss.
I think the Pack is the better team, and all of that together leads me to pick the Pack winning with a few red zone stops being the difference. It’s hard to see this being anything other than a nail biter, but if the Pack wins the turnover battle, maybe they can pull away.
Jake McSwain (IPS Writer)
State 31, Wake 28
Program. Defining. Win.
That’s the opportunity in front of NC State Saturday night. You don’t get many shots at them and have to land them when you do.
Ultimately I think this one goes the Pack’s way. The defense just continues to make things work, and the offense does just enough to depart Winston victorious.
BP Cox (IPS Photographer)
State 52, Wake Forest 49
Many believe this will be a shootout between the Deacons and the Wolfpack. I don’t believe Wake Forest has seen a defense like NC State’s this season, just like State has not seen an offense quite like Wake’s.
This could be a matchup where whoever has the ball last wins. While I hope it’s State, I’m still nervous about the Wake vs. State stigma. I’m hoping that this season proves different.
