N.C. State at Connecticut Noon, WRAL-FM

Keep an eye on

RB Lyle McCombs, UConn

At 5-foot-8 and 166 pounds, the biggest problem in defending Lyle McCombs isn’t tackling him but finding him behind UConn’s offensive line. McCombs moved his way through traffic last season for 1,151 yards as a redshirt freshman. Six times he broke the 100-yard barrier last season. In UConn’s 37-0 season-opening win over Massachusetts, McCombs ran for 82 yards and a touchdown.

Given Tennessee’s success on the ground against N.C. State’s defense, expect to see a lot of McCombs – or at least see a lot of results.

“He’s not a real tall kid,” Wolfpack coach Tom O’Brien said, “but he’s shifty and quick he makes a lot of people miss. It’s tough to find him sometime behind that big offensive line.”

McCombs is on the watch list for several offensive awards.

Key matchup

UConn CB Dwayne Gratz vs. N.C. State WR Tobais Palmer

Palmer had four catches for 28 yards against Tennessee but N.C. State’s offense needs more from its best receiver. Gratz, a fifth-year senior, has 30 career starts and returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown last week against UMass.

Key mismatch

N.C. State CB David Amerson vs. UConn QB Chandler Whitmer

After Amerson’s performance against Tennessee, you figure Whitmer will test the Wolfpack’s top corner. Whitmer, who made his first start last week, is not Tyler Bray, though, and UConn doesn’t have the talent at receiver than Tennessee does.

Stat that matters

8-1 N.C. State’s record after a loss since the start of the 2010 season.

Pulse check

N.C. State can’t afford to start 0-2, not if it wants to have a successful season and UConn feels pretty good after a 37-0 over UMass, a newly-minted FBS team.

Joe Giglio