Several members of the Inside Pack Sports staff predict the winner of the NC State-UCLA matchup.
James Henderson (IPS Publisher)
State 31, UCLA 24
I’ve got State winning this on as the better team in all three phases. I’d project State to score more, but I expect them to try and run the football for some reason and if they do, both teams will be running the ball/clock and shortening the game to a degree.
Steve Williams (IPS Football Recruiting Analyst)
State 31, UCLA 27
I think there are some obvious built-in advantages for UCLA. They didn’t have to travel across the country and it’s basically a home game. However, I think State just has some next-level will power stuff going on and I think that’s going to get them across the finish line in front.
Bryant Carson (IPS Football Analyst)
State 45, UCLA 31
My prediction here relies heavily on NC State not having too many opt outs or covid cases so if there's a lot of either of those then throw everything out the window. I realize State hasn't done this much scoring all season but I think today's the day for the Pack offense.
Given this amount of time to prepare for the Wolfpack I suspect Chip Kelly will have some tricks up his sleeve that UCLA will capitalize on early but eventually the Pack D will dig in and start to shut it all down while the offense continues to push the ball and move up and down the field.
Ethan Barry (IPS Contributor)
State 31, UCLA 28
Bowl games are very tricky to predict, who will opt out? What injuries are there that we don't know about? Will both teams actually care? I don't think we know any of those answers. I'll stick with the better team in a mostly even matchup on paper, even though the styles contrast quite a bit.
The State defense was awesome all year until UNC finally got to them on the ground, can UCLA do the same? If not, what's their path to victory?
BP Cox (IPS Photographer)
State 27, UCLA 17
The Wolfpack are either -1 or -2 favorites depending on which betting lines you subscribe to. A lot of predictions have the game going to the moon score-wise. However, I think we could see only a fraction of the typical Holiday Bowl offensive brouhahas.
The matchup of UCLA’s rushing game against NC State’s nationally ranked defense will be interesting. While UCLA boasts two great running backs in Brittain Brown & Zach Charbonnet, the X-Factor will be how the Pack keys on UCLA’s dual threat quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. We don’t want see a repeat of the Wake Forest game with QB scrambles converting third downs and busted plays.
On offense it will be key to work Devin Leary into a rhythm and then turn him loose on deep shots. I’m sure we will see a lot of screen and easy dump passes underneath to set the pace with Carter & Emezie feasting on the fly route once Leary is set.
I have to add that with the news of many Wolfpack players returning for the 2022 season that these guys will walk through fire to play for each other. I think this passion will lead NC State to its second 10+ win season and cement Dave Doeren’s place in Wolfpack lore as one of the best coaches in school history.
