First look: NC State football plays at No. 17 Duke in an ACC rivalry game on Saturday
It’s time for a Triangle battle with N.C. State and No. 17 Duke facing off next weekend.
The Wolfpack (4-2, 1-1 ACC) is coming off a 48-41 non-conference win, while the Blue Devils (4-1, 1-0 ACC) had the week off. In their most recent outing, however, they fell to Notre Dame, 21-14.
Duke leads the all-time series, 41-37-5, with most of its success coming prior to 1965. N.C. State won the last meeting between the two programs, 31-20, back in 2020.
Things are quite a bit different this time around, though. The Blue Devils are ranked and could make the ACC title game, while the Wolfpack has struggled this year and is still trying to find its footing.
Duke appears to have the statistical advantage, scoring at least 35 points in three games and averaging 32.6 points. N.C. State is averaging 29.2 points per game after its win over Marshall, but it hadn’t scored more than 24 points in its other FBS games. Louisville held the Pack to 10 points.
Defensively, Duke is holding its opponents to 11.2 points per contest, while the Wolfpack is giving up an average of 23.5 points.
Special teams, however, could be a difference maker for the two teams. N.C. State has an advantage on its return, averaging more yards per attempt on punt and kickoff returns. Field position will be everything in a game that both programs need to win.
It likely won’t be an easy victory for whichever team comes out on top, and fans should expect a gritty, emotional outing.
Key matchup: A big quarterback battle
Both defenses have proved they’re capable of coming up with big stops, but their quarterbacks have less experience and face a tough test.
MJ Morris stepped into the starting QB role for the Wolfpack in Week 6, leading the team to its best offensive output all season. He also threw three interceptions and started 1-of-7, but the young player bounced back.
Morris ended up completing 17-of-32 passes for a career-high 265 yards and four touchdowns.
The Blue Devils are not likely to have Riley Leonard back by the time N.C. State heads to Durham. He suffered a high ankle sprain late in the Notre Dame game. Though he is expected to return this season, possibly sometime this month, it would be a tough task for him to return just two weeks into his recovery.
Prior to his departure, the junior completed 79-of-126 passes for 912 yards and three touchdowns. He threw just one pick. He also ran for 326 yards on 47 attempts and four TDs.
Henry Belin is expected to start in Leonard’s place. The redshirt freshman has made two appearances this season and three in his career. Belin finished 8-of-8 for 118 yards and a touchdown against Lafayette. His longest pass was for 49 yards.
Morris has more experience than Belin, starting in five games last season. He racked up 648 yards and seven touchdown passes before being sidelined with his own injury.
Both young players have a lot to prove and they’ve got offensive lines that can protect them — Duke and N.C. State are ranked No. 3 and No. 5 in the ACC for sacks — but they’ll still have to make the big plays on a big stage. Who can do that? Everyone will just have to wait and see.
Vegas betting odds
Duke opened as a favorite, as large as four points at one sportsbook, on Sunday.
NC State at No. 19 Duke game information
Teams: N.C. State Wolfpack (4-2, 1-1 ACC) vs. Duke Blue Devils (4-1, 1-0 ACC)
Where: Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham
Date: Saturday, Oct. 14
Time: 8 p.m.
TV: ACC Network
Stream: DIRECTV Stream, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, SlingTV
