NC State game predictions: Week 2 vs. Charleston Southern

NC State football started its season with a tense, nerve-wracking win over ECU that was marred with poor tackling and concerns on offense. After addressing those issues all week in practice, the Wolfpack has a chance to bounce back at Carter-Finley stadium. 

Charleston Southern travels to Raleigh for a 12:30 kickoff this Saturday. This is a perfect matchup for NC State to take a step in the right direction before the program’s first Power Five game Sept. 17 against Texas Tech. 

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The outcome of the game is not a huge question mark, but the Wolfpack still has a chance to make a statement following its 1-point win over East Carolina. 

Here are The Wolfpacker’s predictions for the program’s Week 2 game vs. Charleston Southern. 

Matt Carter’s prediction for NC State vs. Charleston Southern

Those of you who know me well enough understand that I despise games against Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponents for NC State football. (I am tempted to say “hate,” but I have been preaching to my 10-year-old daughter not to use that word so I have to set the example here.)

To me, sports is about anticipation. Sometimes the odds are long against your team, but you dream in the buildup of the perfect setup and scenario where the incredible upset unfolds to your gleeful satisfaction. For East Carolina fans last Saturday, that almost became a reality against NC State.

But let’s be real. Charleston Southern fans don’t have that reality. This is a game to help pay for the Buccaneers’ athletic budget. The benefits for NC State football are that kinks can be worked out and valuable live-game reps can be distributed among reserves who otherwise will get their work only in practices.

Any rational observer can understand why coaches and teams need a game like this on the schedule. Even mighty Alabama and Georgia will schedule a similar type contest. In fact, last year for Georgia that game was Charleston Southern.

The Bulldogs rolled to a nearly 50-point win that Saturday. I don’t think NC State will get quite there, but who cares. The game should be easy and, hopefully, painless in terms of injuries for both teams.

Then we can get back to the anticipation of a Power Five opponent in Texas Tech coming to Raleigh on Sept. 17, the same day that Alabama is hosting Louisiana-Monroe.

Matt Carter’s prediction: NC State 48, Charleston Southern 7

Previous Predictions:

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

Ethan McDowell’s prediction

Last week, I wrote about addressing preseason expectations. NC State had a nearly unprecedented amount of hype surrounding the program heading into last weekend, and that has now quieted down slightly after the program came one kick away from losing its first contest. 

The end result of the game was still a win, and the Pack’s attitude immediately after the game and throughout this week only reinforced the confidence I have in this team. NC State dedicated this week to the details, and I think we’ll see an impressive level of execution on Saturday that was absent for parts of the ECU game. 

Unless something goes horribly wrong, this game will not be close for long. The significantly more important part of Saturday’s showdown will be the execution and care of the fundamentals that the NC State coaching staff has discussed all week.

Charleston Southern throws the ball a lot in its air raid offense, and ECU was able to find holes in the Pack’s coverage at times, but I expect defensive coordinator Tony Gibson to adjust and completely shut down the opposing offense. After pairing that game plan with improved tackling, the Wolfpack defense everyone expected to start the year will be on the field Saturday afternoon.

Ethan McDowell’s prediction: NC State 52, Charleston Southern 6

Previous Predictions:

Week 1: NC State 38, East Carolina 10 (actual: NC State 21, East Carolina 20)