Both teams have opened their 2015 seasons 2-0 over not so quality teams. NC State has manhandled Troy and FCS foe Eastern Kentucky, while Old Dominion has battled Eastern Michigan and FCS opponent Norfolk State. The only prior meeting was last season in Raleigh, where the Pack escaped with a 46-34 comeback win. The Monarchs led most of this game until the Pack woke up and outscored them 21-6 in the games final 16 minutes. This could be another great football game overall.
What you need to know
Time: Saturday, September 12, 7:00 PM
Network: ESPNEWS
Location: Foreman Field, Norfolk, Virginia
Monarchs Offense
Everyone seems to remember the Monarchs as the team who threw the ball all over the Pack last season. Which is 100% true, however they also ran for 196 yards on 5.3 yards per carry. Now Taylor Heinicke also threw for 308. Heinicke has moved on and this is no longer a pass first offense. Instead this is a Ray Lawry offense that is built off the run. Lawry is leading the county in attempts (59) and yards with 438. Lawry is also among the top backs with 6 touchdowns on the season. The most impressive stat he has is a 7.4 yard per carry. That’s the bad news, the good news for the Pack is so far Lawry is the only offense they have. They have no receiver over 100 yards and their quarterback Shuler Bentley only has 306 yards with 1 touchdown against 1 pick. The pack did well against a good back last week but gave up 124 yards to a back in game 1. So, take that for what it is worth. This offense is going to come out hyped up, the Monarchs have never hosted a power 5 team, this is arguably the biggest game ever played on their home turf. If the Pack smothers the ground game and gets out to a lead, basically making the Monarchs have to pass to catch up, I like the Packs chances.
Monarchs Defense
There’s not a whole lot of big names on this defense but a couple things stick out. They get in the backfield a lot. Now granted they have done this against not so talented teams they still have mustered up 13 tackles for loss and 4 sacks on the young season. Last year the Pack had no problem moving the ball on the ground or through the air. Expect that to continue is season. The Wolfpack get Shadrach Thornton back from suspension and he will be all fired up. This gives Jaocby Brissett another weapon and Coach Doeren said earlier this week we would see more of the offense once he got back. The Monarchs are giving up an average of 5.1 yards per rush, that number will get a lot bigger today. This defense will ultimately depend on the offenses ability to hold the ball. If they can give the defense a break and score some points anything can happen.
Conclusion
This game has all the makings of a trap game for the Pack, even though it seems like it should be a blowout. The key to this game will be turnovers and keeping your defens off the field. Early on Old Dominion will sustain some drives but, NC States depth will take over. The Monarchs are a one man offensive show with Lawry. Lack of depth and an inexperienced QB could lead to some turnovers that give State a 3-0 record. Which will happen, this will be NC States best overall performance of the season.
Score Prediction
NC State 38 Old Dominion 17
Categories: ACC Football, College Football, College Sports, NC State Football
The Armchair All-Americans 