NC State football at Wake Forest game predictions

For the final time this regular season, NC State football is hitting the road, and it’s a big one.

The Wolfpack, No. 16 in the updated College Football Playoffs poll, will play at No. 11 Wake Forest. The winner will control its destiny in potentially winning the ACC’s Atlantic Division.

Wake Forest is a slight favorite, marking just the second time this year the Wolfpack is an underdog.

Can NC State football net a big win?

The Wolfpacker staff makes its predictions.

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Matt Carter

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Before I get into my pick, I would like to point out that my two predictions for NC State football games have proven to be impressively accurate.

Now to the actual selection for Saturday.

For NC State, I am nervous.

The Pack’s track record in Winston-Salem is lousy. If you were to poll NC State fans which venue they would least want to play in a game where a lot is on the line: Truist Field, Groves Stadium for us old-timers who grew up in Winston-Salem, with its 31,500 capacity would receive its large share of votes.

Dreams of a breakthrough season on the national stage in 2003 were dashed at Wake Forest in week two, when the Deacons prevailed 38-24. A chance to be bowl eligible in 2007, fresh off beating UNC for the first time in three years the week before, was ripped up in a 38-18 setback in 2007.

Most recently the potential of a 7-1 ACC season in 2017 was smashed when the Deacons dealt head coach Dave Doeren’s squad a heartbreaking 30-24 loss.

Yet this may be the most that NC State football has ever had on the line going to Wake Forest, and it comes against the best offense it has and may play this year.

Bluntly speaking, I’m not sure why I am about to pick a Wolfpack win. I think there are a lot of matchups and indicators that suggest Wake Forest should win.

But here I am, picking NC State football to pick up the type of win that has eluded the program for decades in a venue that has been its house of horrors.

If I get this right, then I really am on a roll picking NC State results.

Matt Carter’s prediction: NC State 33, Wake Forest 31.

Previous predictions:

Week 1: NC State 41, South Florida 21 (actual: NC State 45-0)

Week 2: NC State 33, Mississippi State 30 (actual: Mississippi State 24-10)

Week 3: NC State 42, Furman 6 (actual: NC State 45-7)

Week 4: Clemson 21, NC State 9 (actual: NC State 27-21)

Week 5: NC State 38, Louisiana Tech 17 (actual: NC State 34-27)

Week 6: NC State 28, Boston College 24 (actual: NC State 33-7)

Week 7: NC State 31, Miami 23 (actual: Miami 31-30)

Week 8: NC State 30, Louisville 17 (actual: NC State 28-13)

Week 9: NC State 27, Florida State 17 (actual: NC State 28-14)

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Justin H. Williams

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The game we’ve all been waiting for has arrived. 

Wolfpack-Demon Deacons.

The winner will have the driver’s seat in the ACC Atlantic Division and an appearance in the ACC Championship game. 

With only two games remaining for each squad after this Saturday’s matchup, there will technically be a path to winning the division for whichever team loses this weekend. 

But don’t tell that to the two Daves — NC State head coach [Dave] Doeren and Wake head coach [Dave] Clawson.

They both know the winner will retain control of its own destiny. And considering the success each program has had thus far this season, it’s unlikely to imagine this weekend’s victor will stumble at the finish line.

As for the matchup, it will be strength-on-strength.

Wake’s offense has a case to be considered the best in the ACC. It ranks third in the league in total yards per game (508.7) and second in points scored per game (44.7). 

Meanwhile, NC State football wouldn’t be 7-2 if it weren’t for its elite play on the defensive side of the ball this season. The Wolfpack has the best rushing defense in the ACC, allowing opponents just 100.6 rushing yards per game. And it’s also allowed the fewest points per game to opponents (16.0).

You know what you’re going to get with the Deacs. They will show up, play clean football, score a lot of points and, most importantly, won’t beat themselves. 

The question is, can the Pack slow down the Deacs enough Saturday night on the road? 

One area to watch: NC State’s run game. 

The talented running back duo of Zonovan Knight and Ricky Person Jr. haven’t exactly jumped out on the stat sheet against Power Five competition. But there’s reason to believe that could change this weekend. 

Wake is allowing 216 rushing yards to opponents per game. That’s more than double what State allows, and it also ranks second-worst in the ACC. Through five conference games, the Pack has yet to face a rushing defense that ranks worst than eighth in the league. 

As great as quarterback Devin Leary has been so far, this is one NC State wants to let Person and Knight carry the load. 

If the Wolfpack can establish the run game, it can drag out drives and control time of possession. More importantly, it would keep Wake’s offense off of the field. 

NC State does that and becomes the first team this season to limit the Deacs to 30 or fewer points. 

Justin Williams’  prediction: NC State 38, Wake Forest 30.

Previous predictions:

Week 1: NC State 41, South Florida 16 (actual: NC State 45-0)

Week 2: NC State 38, Mississippi State 28 (actual: Mississippi State 24-10)

Week 3: NC State 48, Furman 16 (actual: NC State 45-7)

Week 4: Clemson 20, NC State 16 (actual: NC State 27-21)

Week 5: NC State 49, Louisiana Tech 22 (actual: NC State 34-27)

Week 6: NC State 27, Boston College 20 (actual: NC State 33-7)

Week 7: NC State 34, Miami 23 (actual: Miami 31-30)

Week 8: NC State 38, Louisville 33 (actual: NC State 28-13)

Week 9: NC State 30, Florida State 20 (actual: NC State 28-14)

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