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Published Sat, Oct 03, 2009 02:00 AM
Modified Sat, Oct 03, 2009 05:05 AM

Tudor's take: N.C. State at Wake Forest

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Ken Tysiac

Tags: college | football | sports

Tudor's take

Although old pro Dave Shinskie had a nice pitching day for Boston College last week, the Eagles' determination to run the ball was the real key to their overtime win over Wake.

By day's end, BC rushed 45 times for 170 yards. Combined with three Deacons turnovers, that was enough.

Even with Russell Wilson in top form and extending Wake's defensive edges, the Wolfpack will need something close to that same ground production from Toney Baker and Jamelle Eugene in order to begin ACC play with a win.

The big problem is that Jim Grobe has had a week to rattle cages along his defensive front. Although Maryland is up next, today is probably the key to Wake's entire season. Desperate Deacs, 23-21.

Observations

Pack's secondary concern

This will be the biggest test to date for an N.C. State secondary that has been shaky because of inexperience and injury.

Wake Forest senior quarterback Riley Skinner is renowned for his accuracy and has a standout receiver emerging in Marshall Williams. If safeties Brandan Bishop (a freshman) and Earl Wolff (redshirt freshman) leave Wake's receivers free in the middle of the field, Skinner will find them.

Deacons' 'D' vulnerable

Although Wake Forest leads the ACC in total offense at 412.2 yards per game, the young Deacons defense has been extremely vulnerable this season.

Opponents have completed 61.8 percent of their passes against the Deacons, who lost two of the best defensive players in their history (Aaron Curry and Alphonso Smith) to the NFL draft in the offseason.

Senior cornerback Brandon Ghee has picked up his game for the Deacons, but they need better play from linebackers Jonathan Jones, Matt Woodlief, Dominique Midgett and Hunter Haynes.

Player to watch

Audie Cole

N.C. State, So., LB, 6-5, 229

When first-year starter Cole is confident in what he's doing, he makes some big plays. He has 17 tackles, two sacks, two pass breakups and one fumble caused in four games. But when Cole is confused, opponents can take advantage of his indecisiveness at field linebacker. If an outside linebacker isn't sure of his assignments, he can look foolish against Wake Forest's well-designed misdirection plays.

By the numbers

NCSU

Wake

37.8

scoring

26.0

14.8

scoring def.

18.8

142.5

avg. rush yds.

162.8

76.0

opp. avg. rush yds.

137.5

263.5

avg. pass yds.

249.5

125.2

opp. avg. pass yds.

217.0

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