Wake Forest is looking win their fifth straight game as they travel down I-40 East to Raleigh to take on their in-state rival the NC State Wolfpack. This will be the 110th meeting between the two North Carolina rivals. Kickoff will be at 3:30 PM ET.
Last Time Out: Wake Forest 33 Indiana 28
Wake Forest is 4-0 after defeating the Indiana Hoosiers on the road. They got five interceptions on the way to the victory and Matt Colburn once again ran for over 100 yards rushing. Quarterback John Wolford was safe with the ball and the turnover differential was in Wake’s favor and led to the team’s victory.
Last Time Out: Old Dominion 22 NC State 49
Two weeks ago, NC State rallied after a tough loss to East Carolina with a dominant performance at home against the Old Dominion Monarchs. Quarterback Ryan Finley was nearly perfect going 24 for 28 in the passing game and threw for three touchdowns.
Wake Forest Improved Ground Attack
Kendall Hinton and Cade Carney have been hurt for a few weeks and both were huge parts of Wake Forest’s rushing attack. However, the team has proved that other guys can fill the missing spots. John Wolford and Matt Colburn have been able to make plays in Hinton and Carney’s spots. Colburn leads the team in rushing yards and John Wolford has three rushing touchdowns from the quarterback position. The Wake Forest offense has six different rushers averaging over four yards a carry.
High Powered NC State Offense
Ryan Finley and Matthew Dayes have shown their talent through their first three games. NC State once again has a dangerously balanced offense that can beat you in different ways. Finley has yet to throw an interception in three games played and Dayes is averaging 6.1 yards a carry and the team already has 18 touchdowns on the year. The Wake Forest defense is a good matchup for this offense and will need to stop the run game to force third and long situations to make passing more difficult for the Wolfpack.
Wake Trap Game Again?
Can a 4-0 team even be a trap game for a 2-1 team? With NC State having to play Notre Dame, Louisville, and Clemson after their contest with Wake Forest it seems possible. Wake Forest could catch another team potentially looking ahead to seemingly tougher opponents later on and that could work in their favor, however, with this being a rivalry game, NC State probably won’t overlook the Deacons.
Prediction
Wake Forest is now extremely confident and their defense will be tough on NC State. Wake Forest somehow gets it done in a great ACC game. Wake Forest 28 NC State 24.