College football capsules

N.C. State (5-3, 1-3 ACC) at Boston College (3-6, 0-6 ACC)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m., Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, Mass.

TV/Radio: WRAL, 101.5-WRAL

Boston College’s strength: The Eagles rank No. 1 in the country in total defense (223.8 yards per game), rushing defense (64.2 yards per game) and tackles for loss (9.8 per game).

Key theme: While Boston College has a strong defense, its offense ranks No. 127 in total offense (275.7 yards per game), No. 124 in passing (108.6 yards per game) and No. 125 in yards per play (4.4). The Wolfpack defense, which ranks 10th in total defense, should be able to keep the injury-riddled offense in check.

Even without leading rusher Matt Dayes, the Wolfpack offense should be able to build off the momentum of its success last week against Clemson. Senior quarterback Jacoby Brissett has averaged 240.5 passing yards per game the last two weeks, after throwing for an average of 148 in the first two ACC games.

South Florida (4-4, 2-2 American Athletic) at East Carolina (4-5, 2-3)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville

TV/Radio: CBS Sports Network, 570-WFNL

USF’s strength: The Bulls average 213.9 rushing yards per game led by sophomore running back Marlon Mack (102.6 yards per game, 718 yards).

Key theme: ECU needs to win two of its last three games to qualify for a bowl. Realistically, the Pirates need this one, at home against an averarage-at-best South Florida team. ECU needs to rediscover its offense. The Pirates scored only 13 points last week in a loss at Connecticut and 14 in a home loss to Temple two weeks ago.

Joe Giglio

Other area games

Delaware State (0-8) at N.C. Central (5-3), 2 p.m., O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium, Durham, NCCUEaglePride.com: The Eagles (4-1 in conference play) have won four straight and trail North Carolina A&T by a game in the MEAC standings. Delaware State has been outscored 171 to 54 in five MEAC games.

Campbell (5-4) at San Diego (6-2) 3 p.m., Torero Stadium, San Diego, GoCamels.com: Life in the Pioneer League sends the Fighting Camels to the west coast for a conference showdown with the Toreros. Campbell running back De’Shawn Jones set a new school-record with 201 rushing yards in last week’s win over Davidson.

Saint Augustine’s (0-9) at Shaw (1-8), 1 p.m., Durham County Stadium, Durham, : The Bears picked up their first win of the season, 32-25 in double overtime, over Winston-Salem State last week. Shaw has the edge, 7-5, in this rivalry since it was renewed in 2002.

This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 4:01 PM with the headline "College football capsules."