EDITORIAL BY GRAYDON FOX

Overview:

On Saturday, October 20^th, the (5-0) NC State Wolfpack will be on the road to take on the (6-0) Clemson Tigers.

The Crowd:

The Crowd projects a final score of Clemson 34.5 – NC State 23.6 with an over/under of 58.1.

Lou Holtz and Mark May:

Lou is predicting a final score of Clemson 37 – NC State 21.

Mark is predicting a final score of Clemson 47 – NC State 27.

2018-19 Statistics (130 total teams):

Passing offense: NC State 335.2 YPG > Clemson 250.2 YPG

Rushing offense: Clemson 280.8 YPG > NC State 144.8 YPG

Scoring offense: Clemson 42.2 PPG > NC State 33.0 PPG

Scoring defense: Clemson 14.5 PPG > NC State 16.8 PPG

Passing defense: Clemson 152.8 YPG > NC State 234.0 YPG

Rushing defense: NC State 107.4 YPG > Clemson 108.3 YPG

Turnover Margin Per Game: NC State +0.2 > Clemson -0.6

Summary:

NC State is (5-0) to start the season with wins over James Madison, Georgia State, Marshall, Virginia, and Boston College.  The Wolfpack rank 45^th in points per game (33.0) and 16^th in scoring defense (16.8 PPG).  Quarterback Ryan Finley has completed 69% of his passes for 1,621 yards with 10 touchdowns to 3 interceptions.  Finley has thrown for 300+ yards in all but one game thus far.  Reggie Gallaspy II leads the team in rushing with 324 yards and 7 touchdowns.  NC State, as a team, has struggled to run the football averaging only 3.9 yards per carry.  Kelvin Harmon is the team’s leading receiver with 534 yards and 2 touchdowns.  The Wolfpack defense ranks 84^th against the pass (234.0 YPG) and 13^th against the run (107.4 YPG).

Clemson is (6-0) to start the season with wins over Furman, Texas A&M, Georgia Southern, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, and Wake Forest.  The Tigers rank 14^th in points per game (42.2) and 6^th in scoring defense (14.5 PPG).  Quarterback Trevor Lawrence leads the ACC in yards per attempt (8.7) and passer rating (174.2).  Lawrence took over the starting job from Kelly Bryant and for the season has completed 69% of his passes for 868 yards with 11 touchdowns to 2 interceptions.  Running back Travis Etienne has rushed for 761 yards and 11 touchdowns.  Clemson, as a team, is averaging a ridiculous 7.0 yards per carry.  The Tigers’ defense ranks 6^th against the pass (152.8 YPG) and 14^th against the run (108.3 YPG).  Clemson ranks 100^th out of 130 teams in turnover margin (-0.6).

Bottom Line:

This is essentially an elimination game as far as the ACC Conference goes.  NC State has yet to be tested as their big game against West Virginia was cancelled. Clemson arguably the best defensive line in the country and should be able to get pressure on Ryan Finley forcing him into mistakes.  This game will be closer than people think but I have to roll with the Tigers at home.

Clemson wins 33-24

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