NC State predictions: Game 10 vs. Boston College

NC State has a chance to make history Saturday afternoon. The Wolfpack’s senior day clash with Boston College will be the final opportunity for the program’s senior class to take the field at Carter-Finley Stadium. If the Pack earns the win, it will set a new school record for consecutive victories at home.

The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m., and it will be broadcast on the ACC Network. 

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Here are The Wolfpacker staff predictions for this weekend:

Matt Carter’s prediction

There could be a bit of a letdown for NC State.

Perhaps freshman quarterback MJ Morris looks more like a rookie for the first time since he has been elevated to the starting job and suffers a couple of turnovers, with maybe BC returning one for a touchdown.

Perhaps explosive Boston College receiver Zay Flowers goes crazy and catches a couple of deep bombs for scores.

Maybe.

But the feeling here is all of that would have to occur for Boston College to have a chance. That’s not impossible, but not likely. Boston College has a banged-up offensive line with a lack of skill talent absent Flowers and a rookie quarterback themselves who seems to lack mobility.

There could be a slow start and may be moments when NC State lags in the game, but ultimately over four quarters I cannot picture the Pack unable to, at some point, assert control.

Prediction: NC State 33, Boston College 13

Previous Predictions: 

Week 1: NC State 34, East Carolina 17 (actual: NC State 21, East Carolina 20)

Week 2: NC State 48, Charleston Southern 7 (actual: NC State 55, Charleston Southern 3)

Week 3: NC State 30, Texas Tech 17 (actual: NC State 27, Texas Tech 14)

Week 4: NC State 45, UConn 7 (actual: NC State 41, UConn 10)

Week 5: Clemson 30, NC State 21 (actual: Clemson 30, the Wolfpack 20)

Week 6: NC State 27, Florida State 17 (actual: the Wolfpack 19, Florida State 17)

Week 7: NC State 24, Syracuse 14 (actual: Syracuse 24, the Wolfpack 9)

Week 8: NC State 21, Virginia Tech 10 (actual: the Wolfpack 22, Virginia Tech 21)

Week 9: Wake Forest 34, NC State 20 (actual: the Wolfpack 30, Wake Forest 21)

Ethan McDowell’s prediction

Boston College is really struggling as a program this season due to injuries and a variety of other reasons. Usually when I am doing research on an opposing team before a game day, I can find at least three things that concern me. This week, I could only find one.

Zay Flowers is an elite All-ACC wide receiver and someone whom Dave Doeren said he really wanted to join the Pack out of high school. So far this year, Flowers has 791 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns. He caught 5 passes for 151 yards and 2 touchdowns during Boston College’s lone ACC win over Louisville. For the Eagles to have a chance against NC State, they would need Flowers to replicate that production.

It is very possible that we could see a little regression from MJ Morris this weekend after his hot start to his true freshman season but, regardless, the Pack’s defense should be able to stifle the opposing offense. The Wolfpack will come out motivated for the seniors and ready to make history in Raleigh. I am expecting a wire-to-wire dominant showing from the Pack ahead of a tough schedule to finish the season, but I would not be surprised if Flowers broke off a couple of big plays to prevent a shutout.

Prediction: The Wolfpack 34, Boston College 10

Previous Predictions: 

Week 1: The Wolfpack 38, East Carolina 10 (actual: the Wolfpack 21, East Carolina 20)

Week 2: The Wolfpack 52, Charleston Southern 6 (actual: the Wolfpack 55, Charleston Southern 3)

Week 3: The Wolfpack 35, Texas Tech 20 (actual: the Wolfpack 27, Texas Tech 14)

Week 4: The Wolfpack 52, UConn 6 (actual: the Wolfpack 41, UConn 10)

Week 5: Clemson 28, the Wolfpack 24 (actual: Clemson 30, the Wolfpack 20)

Week 6: The Wolfpack 31, Florida State 20 (actual: the Wolfpack 19, Florida State 17)

Week 7: The Wolfpack 20, Syracuse 17 (actual: Syracuse 24, the Wolfpack 9)

Week 8: The Wolfpack 24, Virginia Tech 6 (actual: the Wolfpack 22, Virginia Tech 21)

Week 9: The Wolfpack 31, Wake Forest 30 (actual: the Wolfpack 30, Wake Forest 21)