NC State football’s quest for nine regular-season wins continues with a trip to face its archrival in Kenan Memorial Stadium Saturday. Technician caught up with Daily Tar Heel sports editor Chris Hillburn-Trenkle via email to break down the matchup.

Technician: How much did that 2016 game at Kenan where NC State won to make a bowl and save Doeren’s job become a turning point for both programs?

Chris Hillburn-Trenkle: It became a huge turning point for both programs. If you look at UNC after that game, the Tar Heels have won just five of their 18 games. In fact, of those five victories, two came against Pittsburgh and the other three have come against FCS opponents — Western Carolina and Old Dominion. After Mitch Trubisky left school to go to the NFL following the 2016 season, UNC has failed to find an answer at quarterback, but the domino effect started with the loss to the Wolfpack.

T: The Heels have a lot of close losses this season. What’s been the problem that’s kept them from finishing?

CH: UNC has lost six games by 10 points or less this season. In 2017, the team lost four such games. I think it boils down to weak quarterback play. UNC has failed to find a successor for Mitch Trubisky and almost two years later, the team is still hurting. Redshirt junior Nathan Elliott has done his best, but he is not talented enough to lead a strong Division 1 football team. Elliott has thrown nine interceptions this season compared to just 11 touchdowns in 10 games.

T: Do you get the sense that Larry Fedora is on the way out?

CH: I don’t think Fedora is on his way out. Call me crazy, but I think winning the Western Carolina game was huge for Fedora keeping his job. Athletic director Bubba Cunningham likes Fedora, considering he took the head coaching job in the midst of the looming academic scandal at UNC and by 2015 had the Tar Heels in the ACC Championship game within eight points of potentially making the College Football Playoff. I could be off on this one, but I think Fedora has saved his job for one more year. 

T: What are this team’s strengths and weaknesses?

CH: The biggest strength for UNC is its running backs. The Tar Heels have four capable running backs beginning with sophomore Michael Carter and junior Antonio Williams. Both players have over 500 yards this season, however, both could miss the season finale due to injury. Even without the duo, junior Jordon Brown is more than capable and first-year Javonte Williams scored three touchdowns and carried the ball for 93 yards this past Saturday against Western Carolina. 

The team’s biggest weakness is its rush defense. The Tar Heels rank 116th in the country while giving up 220.1 yards per game. N.C. State ought to run the ball early and often to pick apart a rush defense that has been helpless for most of the season.

T: Who are the Heels’ key players?

CH: The key players are Anthony Ratliff-Williams and Malik Carney. Ratliff-Williams, a junior receiver, leads the team in catches (40) and receiving yards (613). In addition to possessing big-play capability as a receiver, Ratliff-Williams can return kicks and ran one back for a touchdown last season. On the defensive side of the ball, senior defensive end Carney is tied for the lead in sacks (5.5) and leads the team in tackles for loss (11.5). He also has made 50 tackles, despite playing just seven games this season. I expect Carney to have a big game in his last contest as a Tar Heel.

T: How do the Tar Heels match up with the Wolfpack?

CH: The Tar Heels do not match up well with the Wolfpack. The biggest strength for the Tar Heels is their rushing offense, but the Wolfpack possesses one of the strongest run defenses in the nation. NC State ranks second in the ACC and 16th in the country giving up just 112.5 yards per game. However, the Tar Heels should take solace in knowing the Wolfpack does not have a great running attack, but UNC’s pass defense isn’t much better checking in at 67th in the nation. Ryan Finley should have a strong performance picking apart North Carolina’s defense.

T: What is your prediction for this game?

CH: I expect NC State to win this game easily. I think the Tar Heels will manage to score 20 points, but I am picking the Wolfpack to win, 34-20.