Kickoff: 1pm
Location: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raeligh, NC
Television: ESPN360
Records: NC State (3-5, 0-4 ACC) , Maryland (2-6, 1-3 ACC)
Tom O'Brien and the NC State Wolfpack find themselves in all too familiar territory with four games left to play in the regular season. An injury marred season has the Pack needing to once again call on a late season run to give them post-season hope. Last season, Russell Wilson and company, with their backs against the wall, pulled off four consecutive wins, bringing them to 4-4 in the ACC and made them bowl eligible. This season they're in the same boat at 0-4 and needing a miracle turnaround to keep the season alive, however, it won't be easy.
The Wolfpack will face off against Maryland on Saturday, a team that has been equally as unfortunate in the ACC this season. Sitting at 2-6 overall and 1-3 in the ACC, Ralph Friedgen's squad needs this game just as much as the Wolfpack.
Maryland is led by quarterback Chris Turner and WR Torrey Smith. Turner, who ranks amongst the top signal-callers in school history, is averaging 229.1 passing yards per game. He had his fourth career 300 yard passing game vs. Wake Forest and is second in school history in career passing yards. Smith has emerged as one of the top all-around threats in the nation. He is averaging 70.8 receiving yards per game (4th in the ACC) and 192.3 all-purpose ypg (good for third in the country.) **Courtesy of Maryland Media Relations**
The offense was running on all cylinders last weekend, as Russell Wilson set career highs in passing yards and touchdowns in the loss to FSU and Toney Baker was a monster on the ground, but the increased pressure to score on every possession is sure to wear on the offensive unit at some point.
One key for the Pack is to stay healthy this week. They currently have lost a total of 12 players for the season and can ill afford another if they hope to make a late season push. This past week they lost RJ Mattes who tore his ACL and MCL and TJ Graham who is not done for the year with a stress fracture.
The Wolfpack once again have their back against the wall with their only hope for a post-season birth is to win out. With Russell Wilson at the helm and a healthy Toney Baker, anything is possible, but the success for this team going forward will be in the hands of the defense.
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2 Responses to "GAME PREVIEW: NC State vs. Maryland"This is the last opponent we play this year where "we can win in a shoot out" could come into play. Va Tech, Clem and UNC play a style of D that should make it tough for our offense to score 40 plus. Right now many have in there mind that 40 plus is what is need to squeak a W.
UMd's QB and talented RB's could bring a hurtin'. Wow, after saying what gives with the DB's early in the season and thinking everyone will call pass 70 % of the time went out the door fast. BC and FSU have exposed our team rush defense, which frankly I've been apalled at. At least the young DB's have that excuse- even with Manning and Cole as first year starters I've been amazed at how ineffective our rushing D has been.
Fridgen knows that. We will need Ray Michel to play often in this one. If we doesn't play the majority of snaps at MLB then my prediction belongs on another thread- I don't ever one to get overly negative on this great Wolfpack site.
Also keep an eye out on special teams- especially our KO coverage and punt coverage (hopefully we KO a ton, punt very little). You do not want to defend short field all day vs Fridge and the Terps.
Feel pretty strong that TJ will take it to the house. He always seems to be faster and more aggressive during afternoon games- must not have been many track events under the lights.
GO PACK! Home coming is on!!!
Uh, BB is one thing, but a take no prisoners ATTITUDE!!!, is a definite essential in football. If we're out manned, as seemed to be the case in every game here recently, then the coaches need to give the players more than just a couple of opportunities to risk it, and give them some opportunities to make game changing plays.
If it becomes increasingly apparent that you cannot stand toe to toe and you're falling further and further behind when to trying exchange blow for blow, then there comes a time when you just have to go with a different plan by letting it all hang out. Forget the gameplan, just lower the head, get mean, and swing for the knock out punch.
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