Here is the PackontheProwl look into tomorrow’s match up between the Wolfpack of NC State and the Pirates from East Carolina.
The Numbers:
| Category |
NCSU |
ECU |
| Total Offense Rank |
113 |
71 |
| Yards per Carry |
2.75 |
3.16 |
| Passing Yards |
459 |
714 |
| Time of Possession |
29:39 |
31:36 |
| Total Defense Rank |
71 |
29 |
| Rushing Defense |
4.35/carry |
3.32/carry |
| Passing Defense |
216/game |
149/game |
| Turnover Margin |
+2 |
Even |
| Interceptions - Rank |
T-2 |
T-20 |
Inside the Numbers:
ECU
The Pirates come into this game enjoying a top 25 rank since ‘99, and the favored for the second time in as many years. While the #15 in front of their name seems to excite many ECU fans, but many other fans wonder if they are really that good. In all of the rankings I looked at, Rushing, Passing, Total Offense, Rushing D, Passing D, Total Defense, they only appear close to the top 20 once, Passing Defense at number 18. So I started looking into that passing D and no wonder it looks so good. Of the three teams ECU has faced this season, two of them rank lower than NCSU in Passing Offense, Virginia Tech - #116, West Virginia - #105. (I will give their defense credit for stopping Pat White and the West Virginia Offense.)
The one concern the Pack should have is the Pirate quarterback Patrick Pinkney. Pinkey comes in with a 75% completion percentage. The Pirate rushing game seems to resemble the Pack’s. Shows signs of life, then puts up a goose egg.
Notable Injuries: Quentin Cotton-LB Starter that lead the team in interceptions.
NC State
The Wolfpack find themselves once again the underdogs in this match. A bad thing? Maybe not, they were the underdogs last year in Greenville and came away with a 34-20 victory. The defense looks good. The rankings don’t look as good as the Pirates, but the teams they have faced have been different, much different. The two FBS teams the Pack has played rank in the top 55, and William & Mary comes in at #65 for their division. Much different than two teams over 100. The defense is forcing turnovers, something this team didn’t do last season. After three games this season, the defense has taken the ball away more than half then it did the entire season last year. (10 take aways this season, 16 all of last year).
The offense is well, interesting. Russel Wilson only has less than a game and a half under his belt in college football. The offensive line that takes so much heat, has only given up 6 sacks on the season, does that have to do with Wilson’s mobility? You can draw your own conclusion. Andre Brown comes into the game with 4 yards per carry and over 69 yards per game. With the possible return of Jamelle Eugene and the continual growth of Curtis Underwood, the running game should continue to improve. The passing game continues to struggle and with the leading receivers from the last two years still out due to injury, someone is going to have to step up.
Key Injuries: Seriously? I don’t think we have enough time to post the 9 potential starters that will be missing this game and more due to injuries.
Prediction:
This will not be a game dominated by ECU like their fans expect it to be. It’s going to be a physical, hard fought rivalry game. The Pack is going to pull it out. Andre Brown will have over 100 all purpose yards, between rushing and receiving. The Pack will surprise everyone, the offense will score touchdowns, and the defense will make a statement. Like last year, this game will be a stepping stone for a couple game winning streak.
