Matchups: Wake Forest is defending ‘Big Four’ champ. What’s NC State gotta do to derail?
So many times it seems that if N.C. State is tripped up by Wake Forest, the result contributes to ruining something that could be special.
With the Wolfpack’s opening game coming Saturday night against Wake Forest, it’s not like there’s anything good already brewing for N.C. State. But the importance of a glowing start might be more critical for the Wolfpack with a schedule that includes 10 ACC encounters.
NC State will be the last of the ACC teams that doesn’t reside in the state of Virginia to kick off its season.
Wake Forest has won the past three meetings with NC State, so this matchup would figure to have the Wolfpack’s attention under any circumstance. The only four-game winning streak for the Demon Deacons in the series has come from 1951-54.
Last year, Wake Forest posted home victories against North Carolina, NC State and Duke. Those outcomes marked the first time the Demon Deacons swept those opponents since 2007 (though they didn’t face North Carolina in many of those seasons because of post-ACC expansion scheduling).
The Demon Deacons celebrated the Big Four championship well into the offseason — ordering rings for the accomplishment. Immediately after last Saturday’s home loss to No. 1-ranked Clemson, there was mention of the importance of repeating the Big Four championship when the focus turned to the next game.
“Hopefully we can be close to full strength as we try to start defending our Big Four championship,” coach Dave Clawson said.
Wake Forest made it through the opener without any significant injury, Clawson said.
By the numbers
Records: Wake Forest 0-1 (0-1 ACC); NC State 4-8 (1-7 ACC) in 2019
Wake Forest offense: 13 ppg | 330 ypg | 293 passing ypg | 37 rushing ypg
NC State defense (allowed): 30.1 ppg | 398.9 ypg | 255.5 passing ypg | 143.4 rushing ypg
NC State offense: 22.1 ppg | 380.2 ypg | 229.1 passing ypg | 151.2 rushing ypg
Wake Forest defense (allowed): 37 ppg | 561 ypg | 376 passing ypg |185 rushing ypg
* NC State numbers from 2019
N.C. State run game vs. Wake Forest run defense
The Wolfpack looks to have a strong 1-2 punch in the backfield with running backs Zonovan Knight and Ricky Person Jr. A core of the offensive line returns and establishing a rushing attack is bound to have heightened importance until there’s a sense of confidence regarding the quarterback position. Last year, the Wolfpack managed just 116 rushing yards in a loss at Wake Forest, marking the third-best outing for the Demon Deacons in terms of rushing defense.
Wake Forest touts a sturdy defensive front and the Demon Deacons are determined not to be pushed around along the line of scrimmage. Rover Luke Masterson, a senior who made a career-high 11 tackles in the Clemson game, offers support from the secondary.
N.C. State pass game vs. Wake Forest pass defense
The Wolfpack looks to Devin Leary at quarterback after a season when there were lots of shortcomings in the passing attack. There’s experience among wideouts, with returning starters Devin Carter, Emeka Emezie and Thayer Thomas. Tight end Cary Angeline is a reliable option and he accounted for five of the team’s 14 touchdown receptions last year. The Wolfpack managed only 149 yards through the air in the 2019 meeting.
Wake Forest defensive end Carlos Basham Jr. logged 11 sacks last season (including a half-sack vs. the Wolfpack) and added one on the game’s first series against Clemson last week. He has at least one tackle for loss in 19 consecutive games, marking the longest active streak in the country.
Wake Forest run game vs. N.C. State run defense
There are numerous candidates to become the go-to back for the Demon Deacons, mainly Christian Beal-Smith and Kenneth Walker III. The problem might be an offensive line that was purged, with three 2019 members of that group landing with NFL teams in the spring.
N.C. State could be salty along the front, with nose tackle Alim McNeill leading the charge. Linebacker Payton Wilson was the team’s top tackler last season and he should move into a full-time starting role.
Wake Forest pass game vs. N.C. State pass defense
Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman, who’s in his third season, has never played against N.C. State. But Jamie Newman, who orchestrated the 2018 comeback in Raleigh and the 2019 whipping in Winston-Salem, is gone. The Demon Deacons need to replenish the receiving corps, and that might have begun with redshirt freshman Taylor Morin making nine catches (including scoring the only touchdown) for 93 yards in the opener.
Throwing deep against NC State became a popular trend a year ago, so that’s an area that must be addressed. New defensive coordinator Tony Gibson has altered the schemes and so there should be some new looks in coverage. The Wolfpack will be without cornerback Chris Ingram, who figured to be the most experienced defensive back but isn’t ready after coming off a 2019 injury.
N.C. State special teams vs. Wake Forest special teams
Wake Forest kicker Nick Sciba set an NCAA record with 34 consecutive field goals during a stretch that spanned the 2018 and 2019 seasons. He missed only one attempt in 2019, but was 2-for-4 on field goals in the Clemson game, with one of the misses bouncing off an upright. The Demon Deacons broke in new punter Ivan Mora, and he averaged 40.3 per attempt. The Demon Deacons were a disaster at times last year on kickoff coverages, so that’s an area NC State would like to test. NC State is more experienced in the kicking area, with placekicker Christopher Dunn and punter Trenton Gill remaining in those roles.
N.C. State intangibles vs. Wake Forest intangibles
NC State is 8-2 in its last 10 home games against Wake Forest, but without fans in the stadium because of state restrictions the homefield advantage will be reduced. Wake Forest lost its last three road games a season ago. NC State has dropped three straight home games.
The Wolfpack is 6-1 in openers under Doeren, who’ll take the team into an opening game against an ACC opponent for the first time.
Wake Forest tries to avoid an 0-2 start. The Demon Deacons haven’t lost their first two games since 2007, when they were coming off their Orange Bowl season.
This story was originally published September 18, 2020 at 12:44 PM.