NC State Wolfpack vs Boston College Ealges

Philip Thompson: For the first time in his short tenure, Tom O’Brien is feeling a little heat from Wolfpack Nation, but I still firmly believe that TOB is a major improvement over Chuck Amato and his clown like mannerisms. The Packs’s inexperience in the secondary really cost them the last two games. Last week they made Thad Lewis look like the second coming of John Elway. At one point Duke had converted on 11 of 13 third downs.

Why NC State will win...

• They need to salvage their season. I am sure this was not a fun week to be at practice
• Boston College does not have Thad Lewis or Riley Skinner lining up under center. These two veterans have torched that the Pack the last two weeks
• The skill players for the Wolfpack should have a speed advantage
• State really needs a win

Game Score:
NC State 31
Boston College 20

Lawrence Jordan: The Wolfpack managed to avoid showing it's weaknesses against its early 2009 schedule, which was made up of weak competition or teams with weak quarterbacks, but the secondary has been exposed over the last two weeks. Boston College is coming in upset (Linl) after the drubbing they took last weekend at the hands of Virginia Tech, and will not want to back down on their home turf. The ACC's Atlantic Division is wide open with only one team with a winning record, so this game has huge ramifications for both teams.

Why NC State will lose...

• Tom O'Brien returns to The Heights with a 1-2 record against his former team, losing the last two matches.
• Russel Wilson is only connecting on 50% of his passes in his last two games and has thrown 3 INT's.
• Where the crunchtime defense? Past two opponents 22/36 (61%) on 3rd Down Conversions.
  
• The Wolfpack defense is giving up 37 points per game over the last three games against Div 1 opponents, while the offense is only posting 30 points per game over that same stretch.
• The Wolfpack have only played one game on the road this year, a loss to Wake Forest, and the Eagles have not lost a game at home.

Game Score:
Boston College 33
NC State 27