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NC State Newsstand: Texas Tech game predictions

On3 imageby:Ethan McDowell•09/16/22•

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NC State football safety Cyrus Fagan (Photo by Ken Martin/The Wolfpacker)

NC State’s 2022 football season is here, and there will be no shortage of news for the rest of the year. Our daily ‘Newsstands’ will be a way for our readers to catch up on what they missed from the day before. 

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The Wolfpacker’s Friday morning NC State newsstand

NC State football faces its first power-five opponent of the season this week when Texas Tech arrives at Carter-Finley Stadium Saturday evening. In the days leading up to the game, The Wolfpacker staff made its predictions for the week-three matchup.

Here’s more from ‘NC State game predictions: Week 3 vs. Texas Tech.’

Matt Carter’s prediction for NC State vs. Texas Tech

In some ways, Texas Tech and NC State are similar programs. Each are fairly good models of consistently at being competently good more seasons than not but perhaps equally struggling to reach elite status.

Since 2000, Texas Tech has gone 158-111 overall, finishing the year ranked in the top 25 five times and playing in 16 bowl games. However, only once has the Red Raiders won double-digit games, and the highest finish in the polls was No. 12.

In that same time span, NC State has gone 143-121, finishing ranked in the polls on 4 occasions and going to 16 bowls as well. Like Texas Tech, only once did NC State had a double-digit winning campaign and the highest finish in the polls was 12th.

This year though NC State football is aiming to elevate the program to a higher level, and the Red Raiders are an opponent that stands in the way.

Texas Tech has a lot of intriguing pieces on the roster that will face the Wolfpack Saturday:

• An athletic, accurate quarterback with a strong arm.

• Two capable, veteran running backs.

• A mixture of tall, physical outside receivers with speedier slot options.

• A potential first-round NFL Draft pick on the edge.

• A veteran, deep middle of the defense with the tackles and middle linebackers.

• The capacity to start 5 seniors in the secondary.

• An NFL-caliber punter who may be the nation’s best.

Makes you wonder why the Red Raiders did not have more preseason respect, right?

However, the same Texas Tech team has questions on the offensive line, and with a rookie head coach and new coordinators are sure to have some growing pains along the way. The guess here is that the Red Raiders will continue to be good this year, but going on the road for the first time proves too much for them.

Prediction: NC State 30, Texas Tech 17

Tweets of the day

Wolfpack defensive back Tyler Baker-Williams has been one of the best athletes at his position so far this season.

The Wolfpack announced its uniforms for Saturday’s primetime showdown.

Get to know NC State men’s basketball’s transfer portal additions!

Quote of the day

This quote is from Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren discussing the preparation for this weekend’s game.

“It’s been great. It’s been awesome weather, too, so that’s helped with the speed we’ve had to practice at because of the no huddle offense. Guys are excited, excited to play a night game at home, excited to play against a Big 12 opponent that has the same record as we do and obviously they’re coming off a very spirited overtime win as well.

“We know we have a great team coming to town.”

Today’s top NC State headlines

Dave Doeren discusses Saturday’s showdown with Texas Tech

Brandon Cisse recaps NC State official visit

NC State’s Power 5 visitor logistical problems should end Saturday

NC State football updated game scores from PFF: Charleston Southern

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