Several members of the Inside Pack Sports staff predict the winner of the NC State-East Carolina matchup.
James Henderson (IPS Publisher)
State 34, ECU 17
ECU will have moments, but State has too much overall depth in this one.
Better quarterback, better defense, and more depth? Give me the Pack. I actually think 17 points is too much, but we’ll see.
Steve Williams (IPS Football Recruiting Analyst)
State 28, ECU 17
Usually early on in the season the defenses may be a little ahead of the offenses, so I don't think this will be a shoot out. I expect ECU to compete early, but I think as the game wears on and that initial rush wears off, State will take charge in the third quarter and get their first win of the season.
Bryant Carson (IPS Football Analyst)
State 34, ECU 20
There's been a lot of talk this week about the history of this game, with some folks dismissing the notion that history reveals anything about present circumstances while others put a lot of weight into previous year's results. There is zero logic at play, I agree, but there's something about playing in Greenville and Winston-Salem that haunts NC State football teams. That, coupled with this being the first game of the season – and more, a season that is billed as a potentially special one for the Wolfpack -- gives me pause in picking this game the way I want to. Ultimately my hope is that this team is too good not to find a way to pull away and win this one even if it takes a while to get there.
My best guess is that ECU finds some daylight, some success early on in the game, and surprises State with some early scoring and early stops that keeps their crowd motivated and loud. I think it takes State longer than its faithful fan base would prefer to find their footing and start playing their brand of football. Maybe late third or even early fourth I think the Pack starts to pull ahead and eventually overwhelms a solid Pirate team.
Phillip Danford (IPS Football Analyst)
State 31, ECU 13
It's finally here! Game one of the most anticipated season since Philip River's senior year. And while there's been a lot of banter on Twitter and podcasts about the history and terms of this "rivalry," none of that means anything once kickoff begins. Ultimately, I see an ECU team that is well-coached but lacks in key areas from a talent perspective. If NC State plays within their framework and manages to keep emotions in check, I believe it's going to take some fluky plays to make this a nail-biter at the end.
Ethan Barry (IPS Writer)
State 31, ECU 17
I have not been terribly worried about this game all off-season. I know State will get the best out of ECU, and I think that’s enough to keep it tight for a while. I just think this Pack team has too many different ways to win and is experienced enough to withstand everything ECU will throw at them. The Pirates put a scare and show well, but the Pack is too good and wraps it up in the fourth quarter.
Daniel Wilson (IPS Writer)
State 54, ECU 10
For all of the discourse about this game being a brawl and a neck-and-neck contest, I’m not buying it. As much praise is deserved for Holton Ahlers, he’s not coming out of this contest as the victor, and it won’t even be close. Devin Leary preaches about letting his performance on the field speak for him, and it’s going to be akin to an inflammatory cipher Saturday in Greenville.
Jake McSwain (IPS Writer)
State 41+, ECU 10
I see no reason to predict anything other than an emphatic Victory for NC State. They have the advantage in all phases of the game. Look for the NC State defense to generate 3+ takeaways and for the offense to score at will.
BP Cox (IPS Photographer)
State 49, ECU 27
I've ONLY had one scene from a beloved movie in my mind over the last few weeks leading up to the first game. Warning... spoilers ahead.
The Movie: The Lion King
The Scene: After Simba defeats Scar, he climbs up Pride Rock in the pouring rain and pauses as a wise Rafiki embraces him and says "It is time". Simba then makes the stoic ascent to the top of Pride Rock, looks to the cloudy sky as a break appears and he hears his father Mufasa's voice bellow from the cosmos: "REMEMBER". He then lets out a mighty roar and claims his place as the king of the Pride Lands.
Truth be known, in my head, it was Devin Leary as Simba, Dave Doeren as Rafiki, and Mufasa's voice was instead that of Philip Rivers shouting "REMEMBER DADGUMMIT!!!".
All kidding aside, it is time indeed. Not only is it time for the season to start, but it is time for NC State to take the giant step forward that Dave Doeren and Wolfpack Nation have waited so long for. The roster is in place, the depth charts are lathered with experience, and for the first time since Rivers returned for his senior season, many believe that it truly is time.
The Pirates have historically played up to games versus ranked opponents during the season. It's a forgone conclusion that ECU will see playing NC State as their Super Bowl for the season, so the Wolfpack can expect the Pirates to give them everything they have plus more on Saturday.
If NC State's All-American caliber linebacking corps can lead the effort to keep Pirate QB Holton Ahlers uncomfortable and the rest of the Wolfpack defense can prevent RB Keaton Mitchell from getting open in space, I believe the Wolfpack will have enough offense to get out front early and big. Look for nerves to be eased and the "Run It Pack" 2022 Season to be underway with a dub.
