*3 Star Free Pick on NC State* The NC State Wolfpack are a team I’m a lot higher on than most people this year. While NC State did go 8-4 last year, they were actually without their best quarterback (Devin Leary) for much of the season after he suffered a major injury. Bailey Hockman did a nice job for the team, but their upside is higher with Leary. Fortunately, Leary is back and the NC State offense is filled with a ton of skill position talent this year.
NC State’s Bam Knight and Ricky Person form a great tailback tandem. Both ran for over 100 yards last week against USF. It won’t come nearly as easy this week against a solid Mississippi State defense, but these are two good running backs. Leary is great at throwing the deep ball and that can really keep the defense honest.
NC State’s defense pitched a shutout against USF. Yes it was USF, but this NC State defense is clearly much improved unit. Cyrus Fagan, a transfer from Florida State, is a great leader in the secondary. Derek Pitts Jr., who transferred from Marshall, gives the team a top notch cover corner as well.
Mississippi State needed an epic 4th quarter comeback just to win by a point over LA Tech last week. The Bulldogs offense went 5 for 5 on scoring TD’s in the red zone and they needed every last point. Mike Leach’s offense still isn’t working that well with the current quarterbacks and the weakness at offensive line for Miss State.
I think NC State has the much higher upside and they are the more balanced team.
Take NC State.
