Virginia Tech at North Carolina State

Written by Steve Janus

This Saturday the No.23 ranked North Carolina State Wolfpack will look to remain unbeaten when they host the Virginia Tech Hokies in a big time ACC matchup. The Wolfpack improved to 4-0 on the season with an impressive 45-28 win on the road against Georgia Tech, while the Hokies defense came to play in a 19-0 win on the road against Boston College. Last year the Hokies beat up on the Wolfpack 38-10, but this is a much better NC State team this season. The oddsmakers however still believe Virginia Tech is the better football team, as the current college football odds have the Hokies coming in as 4-point favorites over the Wolfpack on the road.

Virginia Tech (2-2, 1-0 ACC): After a miserable start to the season with losses against Boise State and James Madison, the Hokies have really responded with two nice games to even up their record at 2-2. Last week it was the defense that really came to play for Virginia Tech, as the recorded their first shutout since 2006. The offense scored its only touchdown on a 3 yard run by Darren Evans in the second quarter, as they were held to four field goals the rest of the game.

With star running back Ryan Williams out with a hamstring injury, the Hokies turned to Evans and David Wilson to carry the load on the ground. The duo combined for 97 yards in the win. Williams is listed as questionable for the game this weekend, and there is no question the Hokies could use him on the road against a very good NC State team. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor had pretty nice day throwing the football last week, as he completed 16 of 21 passes for 237 yards, but did throw his second interception of the season.

NC State (4-0, 1-0 ACC): The Wolfpack scored early and often against Georgia Tech last week, as they scored at least one touchdown in each quarter. The defense did a great job of keeping the Yellow Jackets offense in check early, as they allowed Georgia Tech to score just 14 points going into the final period of play. The game got close late with Georgia Tech scoring two early fourth quarter touchdowns to cut the lead to 31-28, but the Wolfpack responded with two more touchdowns to put the game away.

Quarterback Russell Wilson continues to put up huge numbers, as he threw for 368 yards and three touchdowns on 28 of 41 passing, but did have one big mistake in the game, as he allowed the Hokies back in the game with a fourth quarter interception that was returned 33 yards for a touchdown. The Wolfpack got a big day on the ground from running backs Dean Haynes and Mustafa Greene, as they combined for 143 yards and a score. The offense should be able to put some points on the board this weekend, but the question is whether or not the defense can slow down the Hokies offense.

Looking at the Odds: I was a little surprised to see the Hokies favored in this game, as they just haven’t really impressed me this season. The offense has been sluggish and outside of the last game against Boston College the defense hasn’t really been that good either. I think the way that the Wilson and the NC State offense is playing right now, you have to take the Wolfpack at +4 in this one, as I think they come away with a win in this game. My final score prediction is NC State 27, Virginia Tech 24.

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