NC State football ends ACC play with a visit to Chapel Hill to face UNC. The Wolfpack (7-3, 4-3 ACC) enters Rivalry Week with momentum following a 52-10 dragging of Louisville while the Tar Heels (2-8, 1-6 ACC) topped Western Carolina 49-26 in their last outing. UNC’s offense has struggled this season but it’s still dangerous; let’s take a look at how it matches up against NC State’s defense.
Offensive Line vs. Defensive Line
UNC has had stellar offensive line play this year, especially in pass protection. The Tar Heels are eighth in the country in sacks allowed with nine for the season. The line also plays a pivotal role in their rushing game averaging over five yards a carry, and a shade under 200 rushing yards per game. NC State’s defensive line will have to lean on its veteran leadership against the Tar Heels.
The Wolfpack has been disruptive at the line of scrimmage, averaging 3.2 sacks a game, good for 10th in the nation, as well as holding opposing teams to 3.63 yards per carry. Redshirt juniors James Smith-Williams and Larrell Murchison are the men to watch at defensive end and tackle, respectively. Smith-Williams leads the team with six sacks along with four quarterback pressures while Murchison is second with four sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss. Smith-Williams and Murchison are going to have to live in the backfield to shut this offense down.
Running Backs vs. Linebackers
UNC has a stable of running backs, with four rushers above 100 yards on the season. Sophomore Michael Carter and junior Antonio Williams lead the way for the Tar Heels, with 1137 yards and seven touchdowns between them. Carter and Williams are also threats to catch the ball; the two combine for 261 yards on 40 receptions this season. NC State’s linebacking corps will likely have to do more coverage than it’s used to.
Graduate Germaine Pratt has established himself as one of the best linebackers in the country this year, forming an impressive duo with redshirt freshman Isaiah Moore. Pratt has a stellar line of 98 tackles on the year including 11 for loss, and Moore adds another 54 tackles with 6.5 coming in the backfield. UNC’s offense starts with the running game, and while it’s up to the line to win at the line of scrimmage, Pratt and Moore will have to get the backs on the ground.
Quarterback and Wide Receivers vs. Secondary
Junior Nathan Elliott is an adequate quarterback, and the past has proven that’s all you need against this secondary. Elliott has thrown for 2,169 yards and 11 touchdowns this season, while tossing nine interceptions. His primary weapons are junior Anthony Ratliff-Williams and sophomore Dazz Newsome, who lead the team with 40 and 38 receptions, respectively.
Ratliff-Williams is Elliott’s security blanket, a big receiver that has enough speed to reliably separate from cornerbacks. Newsome is UNC’s slot receiver, and given NC State’s struggles against slot receivers, he’s the one to watch. Newsome is short but quick, always a threat to turn a short swing pass into a first down. If the Wolfpack can reliably tackle Newsome where he catches the ball, that’s a win.
Redshirt junior Stephen Griffin, starter at nickel has the matchup to watch. He’ll be squaring off against Newsome. Griffin has done a solid job staying in front of his man since taking over for freshman Tanner Ingle, but the last time the Wolfpack saw a slot receiver this dangerous Syracuse tore this secondary up. Be wary of that matchup. Ratliff-Williams will see time against junior Nick McCloud, sophomore Chris Ingram and freshman Teshaun Smith as all spend time on the outside. Ingram in particular has been targeted by quarterbacks; he’s struggled running with receivers. Last week it looked like Ingram turned a corner, however, as he had a nice breakup on a pass.
Keys to the Game
The Wolfpack must get pressure in the backfield to disrupt both Elliott and the run game. Pratt and Moore are going to have to cover well, the secondary needs to limit big plays by keeping everything in front of them. If the same Wolfpack defense from the Louisville game shows up, NC State will leave Kenan Memorial Stadium with another win.
