#20 NC State vs UNC Full Preview

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NC State(8-3) will head into Black Friday with ACC title hopes still on the line. They will host in-state rival North Carolina(6-5) who is seeking to extend their series winning streak to 3. Last week, NC State completely overpowered Syracuse 41-17 where offense, defense, and special teams scored a touchdown. UNC clinched bowl eligibility last week with a 34-14 win over Wofford. NC State will need to win this game and hope Boston College wins over Wake Forest to guarantee them a spot in the ACC Championship in Charlotte. UNC starting QB Sam Howell is listed as probable for Friday after missing last week with a shoulder injury,

Keys to the Game for NC State

• For the first time in awhile I can say this: keep the run game going. Last week, NC State scored its first rushing touchdown of ACC play. Also, running backs Bam Knight and Ricky Person nearly averaged 5 yards a carry which is better than recent showings. Last week showed once the run game got going, NC State could open up the playbook more and take advantage of play action plays. Also, UNC ranks 170th in the country in rush defense and should be able to dominate them just like Reggie Gallaspy did a few years back.
• Let Devon Cook(Again). UNC will be without their top player in the secondary Friday and already rank 159th in pass defense in the country. Leary needs 3 TDs to pass Phillip Rivers for most throwing touchdowns in a single season. If I was the coaches, Id let him sling it. In the last three weeks, he has throw 10 touchdowns and a combined over 1000 yards which has been his best stretch of the season. Leary will be looking for redemption since he only appearance against UNC was one of the worst of his career(though we did have 22 players out)
• Stop the Howell and Downs attack. IMO, Sam Howell is the most overrated player in college football. NC State needs to prove it tomorrow. Howell will be looking to sweep the Pack in his college career and raise his draft stock. If NC State can contain the speedy Josh Downs who averages 8-9 targets a game, Howell will be without his biggest. weapon and UNCs offense will be horrendous. The key to beat UNC is just to stop their offense couple time and it will be over

Betting Odds/OU

• -6 NCST (50% Public Bet)
• -240 NCST ML (32% Public Bet)
• O/U 62.5 (66% Public Bet on Over)
• Accord to ESPN FPI, NC State 75% chance to win

Location/Time/TV

• Friday, November 26, 2021
• 7:00 PM EST
• ESPN
• Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, North Carolina

Uni Report

• NC State Not Reported Yet (Senior will be choosing)
• UNC:
• Helmet- White
• Jersey- White
• Pants- Navy

Bonus Section: Who will be returning/not returning Next Year

• Confirmed Back: Isaiah Moore
• Rumored to Return: Drake and Thayer Thomas, Peyton Wilson, Cyrus Fagan
• Unknown but have rumors: Grant Gibson, Devin Leary, Bam Knight, Chris Dunn
• Gone: Ikem Ekwonu, Ricky Person, Trent Gill

Prediction

NC State 48, UNC 31

About Post Author

Elijah Pomeroy

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