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NC State needed a statement last week. They surely made a statement, and that statement was, "we're not ready." The Wolfpack have treated the first quarter of the season as their preseason, looking like they're working out the kinks on both sides of the ball. And now with CJ Bailey making the first start in a road ACC game by an NC State quarterback since Philip Rivers also went to Death Valley in 2000, things are really up in the air.
We would love to see the Pack come out and win at Clemson for the first time since (checks notes...2002? Is that right?). After seeing App State crap the bed against Alabama..I'm sorry, wait, I'm being told that was SOUTH Alabama, it provides a glimmer of hope for the Pack to pull through since the Tigers blowout win may have been overblown. As we do every week, our crew put their best guesses to paper to say how they think the game will turn out:
Name | Prediction | Comments |
ESPN Predicto-Bot | 11.5% NC State - 88.5% Clemson (L) | The bot dropped down from 29.8%-70.2% it had in the preseason. Things are going in the wrong direction. |
Alec Lower | 3-41 (L) | I think early turnovers will get this game rolling the wrong way for State, and I think it gets away from them as a result. |
Essad Malik | 21-37 (L) | The game is going to feel closer than it will look on paper. Will ultimately be a hard fought game against Clemson where they pull out just enough minor plays for the win. |
Trey Lower | 14-17 (L) | Offense is going to struggle. Defense will not. Clemson wins anyway. |
Joel Seagle | 20-35 (L) | Not going to have enough to beat Clemson in death valley. Just don't think this team is good enough at this point to contend with the likes of Clemson. |
Jackson Williford | 17-31 (L) | This one will hurt, but you'll see bright spots from CJ and the offense. Will that make us feel better? Probably not. |
So, what do you think will happen this week? Let us know in the comments below, and respond in the poll with your pick!
Who do you think will win?
NC State Wolfpack
Clempson Tiggers
(AI image prompt: "a pack of giant wolves running into a valley chasing after a small terrified baby tiger with a small man watching from the side")
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