N.C. State looks to right the ship this week and “flush” — as quarterback Grayson McCall put it — the team’s stunning 51-10 loss to Tennessee when it hosts Louisiana Tech.
ESPN analytics heavily favored a Vols win and U.S. sports books listed Tennessee as a favorite the entire week leading up to the game. A loss wasn’t necessarily unexpected or unlikely, but the disappointment came from how it occurred.
It was a dismal showing that progressively worsened as the game went on from a team expected to play competitively.
The Wolfpack put together a handful of positive plays against the Vols, including a stalwart first drive, but the general tone from head coach Dave Doeren and his players was one of disappointment. This wasn’t the kind of showing N.C. State wants to be known for.
“It felt like we were in the game, then coming out the second half, it just started slipping away from us,” linebacker Sean Brown said. “Then, we call it pressing. We pressed. That’s when everybody kind of zones out. It’s just kind of, we’re out there just to be out there. That’s something we’ve got to fix.”
On the other side of the ball, McCall didn’t look like the 10,005-yard passer from Coastal Carolina. He fumbled twice in the third quarter, both recovered by Tennessee, and threw his own pick six. McCall struggled early against Western Carolina but ultimately settled in. That wasn’t the case Saturday.
Now, N.C. State hosts Louisiana Tech out of Conference USA and it needs to get back on track. The Bulldogs had the week off and, like any lower-level team, will look to make a statement.
“I don’t think they really change,” McCall said of the team’s goals and expectations. “It’s not flinch. We’ve got lots of tape, and we flush it. We can’t let one loss turn into two or three. We got to take care of business next week and get ready to play.”
What to know: Second week facing an uptempo offense
The Wolfpack struggled to stop the Tennessee offense, which is known for its ability to score and score quickly. It entered the game hoping to force third-and-long situations, and limit the number of first downs. That didn’t happen.
This week, N.C. State has an opportunity to prove that it can get those stops. In Louisiana Tech’s first game against Nicholls, the Bulldogs moved the ball and moved it quickly. None of its drives lasted longer than 4:15. Eleven drives were less than two minutes long and four lasted one minute or less.
Louisiana Tech didn’t score on all of those drives and Tennessee’s offense is one of the best in all of college football, but it finished Game 1 with 386 total yards, including 277 passing.
The quarterback game struggled at times, though, and will be an area where N.C. State can wreak havoc. Starter Blake Baker completed 12 of 24 passes for 207 yards, two interceptions and one touchdown in the 25-17 win. The offensive line gave up three sacks on Baker and backup QB Jack Turner.
Even with the imperfections and preconceived lower level of play, the Pack shouldn’t overlook the Bulldogs. Everyone saw the way Western Carolina hung around and Northern Illinois’ upset of No. 5 Notre Dame. Anything can happen, and N.C. State will want to prepare for another week of high-powered, aggressive offense that can make space.
(Oh, and the Bulldogs scored a safety, so their defense isn’t to be trifled with, either.)
Vegas betting odds
N.C. State opened on Sunday as a 19-point favorite with a 52-point over/under, according to Circa Sports. ESPN Betting lists the Pack as a 24.5-point favorite and its analytics service gives the team an 80.1% chance of winning.
NC State vs Louisiana Tech game info
Teams: N.C. State Wolfpack (1-1) vs. Louisiana Tech (1-0)
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh
Date: Saturday, Sept. 14
Time: 12 p.m.
TV: ACC Network
Stream: fubo TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV
Series history: The Wolfpack leads the all-time series 2-0. Most recently, N.C. State hosted the Bulldogs in 2021 and won, 34-27.
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