NC State football heads west. Here’s how to watch, stream the Wolfpack play Cal
The Wolfpack heads west for the first time in program history — for an ACC matchup, that is — to face California in the teams’ inaugural meeting.
N.C. State (3-4, 0-3 ACC) has never played the Golden Bears and neither team has won a conference game this season.
Cal (3-3, 0-3 ACC) is tied with the Pack and North Carolina for last in the league, but at least one team is guaranteed to break its losing streak this weekend.
Running back Hollywood Smothers and tight end Justin Joly said N.C. State has what it needs to succeed, but it has to limit turnovers. That was a key point of emphasis in practice after three turnovers inside the 30-yard line against Syracuse contributed directly to the loss. This is especially important against the Golden Bears, who are one of the best teams in the nation for turnover margin.
Cal defensive back Nohl Williams, in particular, has found success in the ACC. He leads the nation in interceptions, with six, and in interceptions per game. He also leads the conference in passes defended (1.5 per game), or No. 6 in the nation. Williams has scored touchdowns on a pick-six and kickoff return.
With some of the challenges N.C. State has with turnovers and, at times, weakness on special teams, those areas will be key against a secondary led by Williams.
“I wasn’t a part of (the turnovers), but it takes a toll on the whole team, changes the momentum and everything,” Smothers said on Tuesday. “We’re just working on our ball security, and making sure we don’t make the same mistake twice.”
Despite the Pack’s record, Smothers said there’s been an effort to remain grateful for the opportunity to play football.
“We’ve got to fight every day in practice together and look at the ones around you. That’s who you do it for and come in for every day,” Smothers said. “As long as we go in, have each other’s backs, fight through the adversity, I think we’ll be just fine.”
Kickoff time + TV channel for the Wolfpack’s Week 8 game
The Wolfpack takes on the Golden Bears at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California.
Other viewing options for the NC State, Cal game
Fans without cable can watch the ACC Network on fubo TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV Stream, Sling TV.
NC State at Cal game and TV info
Teams: NC State Wolfpack (3-4, 0-3 ACC) vs Cal Golden Bears (3-3, 0-3 ACC)
Where: California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA
Date: Saturday, Oct. 19
Time: 3:30 p.m.
TV: ACC Network
Stream: fubo TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV Stream, Sling TV
Series history: This is the first meeting between the two programs.
Betting line: Cal opened as an 8.5-point favorite on Sunday on FanDuel Sports Book, but some sports books favored the Golden Bears by as many as 10.5 points. The over-under remains listed at 46.5 points.
