Paw Predictions: NC State
No. 16 NC State will travel to Death Valley to take on No. 3 Clemson Saturday, and the Tigers are currently a 17.5 point favorite over the Wolfpack. Our official prediction will come out tomorrow, but you can see how the national media is viewing this game below.
247Sports, 38-20 Clemson/34-27 Clemson
What they said:
"Hummer: It’s hard to know what you’ll get out of NC State in this one. The Wolfpack haven’t really played anyone outside of a five-point win over Boston College, and Clemson, despite some early season struggles, is as dominant a team as you’ll find nationally. I like the Tigers to cover in large part because of a standout run game … Clemson 38, N.C. State 20."
"Crawford: As much as I'd like to pick the upset to see another College Football Playoff titan take a loss in October, I don't think Clemson is going to drop a home game with an extra week of preparation. We could see a shootout here and ultimately N.C. State's rush defense is either going to keep the Wolfpack in the game or lead to a loss. For the third straight season, the Tigers beat one of their ACC rivals by a touchdown ... Clemson 34, N.C. State 27."
What they said:
"Two of the remaining six undefeated Power 5 teams get together for an intriguing battle at Clemson. NC State has taken advantage of a relatively soft schedule; four of the Pack’s first five games have been at home, and the best team they have played is Boston College. This is a good team, but we aren’t quite sure just how good. Clemson is more of a proven commodity, though the Tigers have been challenged twice; they won at Texas A&M 28–26 in Week 2 and rallied to beat Syracuse at home in late September. Clemson 38, NC State 20"
Bleacher Report, 27-24 Clemson
What they said:
"...Eventually, the skill of both offenses will take over, and the team with the final possession will come out on top.
Finley will put the Wolfpack ahead in the fourth quarter, but Saturday will be remembered as the first major moment in Lawrence's collegiate career, as he engineers a comeback that keeps Dabo Swinney's team undefeated."
CBSSports, Clemson Straight up/NC State Against the spread
What they said:
"A win here would give the Wolfpack a leg up in the ACC Atlantic race and would reshape what we think we know about that division. However, Clemson has so many weapons that it's tough to limit each of them. ATS: NC State, SU: Clemson"
What they said:
"The Tigers’ defensive line has all the star power, but the Wolfpack’s offensive line has future pros, too, in LG Terronne Prescod, C Garrett Bradbury and LT Tyler Jones … CLEMSON 34-21."
News and Observer, 24-19 Clemson
What they said:
"If N.C. State owes anyone, it’s Clemson. That loss in 2016 was an all-timer. The players and coaches were devastated after Bambard’s kick slid wide right. Last year’s loss, on a last-second interception, wasn’t quite as painful but N.C. State has proven it can go toe-to-toe with the Tigers.
However, Clemson has an advantage when it comes to high-stakes games. The Tigers have won the ACC and made the College Football playoff (winning it all in 2016) three years in a row. Big games are second nature to the Tigers, who have 14 of their last 16 top-20 matchups.
N.C. State hasn’t won an ACC title since 1979 and hasn’t played a game to decide the division title since 2010. The Wolfpack lost its only top-20 matchups since 2002 last year (at Notre Dame, vs. Clemson).
This is the biggest game for N.C. State football in a long time. For Clemson, it’s just another Saturday. Edge: Clemson."
What they said:
"Laken Litman picks Clemson: NC State has come so close to knocking off Clemson the past two years, losing by one possession each time. Is this the year the Wolfpack can finally do it? The winner of this battle of ACC unbeatens takes control of the Atlantic Division and has a clear path to the playoff. It might be another close game, but the Tigers likely aren’t losing in Death Valley—not with Trevor Lawrence’s efficiency (completing 69% of his passes and throwing 11 touchdowns to two interceptions), Travis Etienne’s speed (he leads the ACC with 761 rushing yards on 9.17 yards per carry for 11 touchdowns) and a stifling defense (holding opponents to 261 yards per game)."
What they said:
"It's a battle for ACC Atlantic supremacy, and both teams had an extra week to prepare. It's also a battle of good quarterbacks in Ryan Finley and Trevor Lawrence. Clemson won the last two meetings by a touchdown, and the Wolfpack should have had the last meeting at Memorial Stadium. We think the line is too high, but the Tigers still march on. Clemson wins 34-24 but FAILS TO COVER the spread."