{"id":16760,"date":"2023-09-15T18:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-15T23:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/?p=16760"},"modified":"2023-09-15T18:30:00","modified_gmt":"2023-09-15T23:30:00","slug":"nc-state-friday-5-bold-predictions-for-the-wolfpacks-matchup-with-vmi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/nc-state-friday-5-bold-predictions-for-the-wolfpacks-matchup-with-vmi\/","title":{"rendered":"NC State Friday 5: Bold predictions for the Wolfpack\u2019s matchup with VMI"},"content":{"rendered":"

NC State<\/strong> is at home for the second straight week, and it hosts the Virginia Military Institute<\/strong>, looking to get back on the right track after a 21-point loss to Notre Dame last weekend. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. EST on The CW.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But before the Wolfpack\u2019s first meeting with VMI since 1946 kicks off, TheWolfpacker.com will debut its weekly five bold predictions, and we\u2019ll see how they went in next week\u2019s edition.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1. NC State will eclipse 250 rushing yards<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Wolfpack\u2019s rushing attack started on the right foot at UConn with 209 yards, but NC State only rushed for 84 yards against Notre Dame last week. VMI has allowed 137 yards per game against Davidson and Bucknell through the first two weeks of the season. We\u2019re saying the Wolfpack will take advantage of the Keydets\u2019 undersized defensive line compared to the NC State offensive line. Senior running back Jordan Houston<\/a><\/strong> and sophomore running back Michael Allen<\/a><\/strong> are primed to have big days, while true freshman tailback Kendrick Raphael<\/a><\/strong> could also have a successful day in the backfield.\u00a0<\/p>\n

2. Davin Vann will record two or more tackles for a loss\/sacks<\/strong><\/h2>\n

NC State junior defensive end Davin Vann<\/a><\/strong>, the ACC\u2019s sack leader through the first two weeks, recorded two sacks against Notre Dame\u2019s stout offensive line. The Cary, N.C., native recorded 4.5 sacks last season, and already has three this season. With VMI, an average FCS team, entering Carter-Finley Stadium this weekend, Vann should have his way with the Keydets\u2019 offensive line.\u00a0<\/p>\n

3. A pair of freshmen will score their first-career touchdowns<\/strong><\/h2>\n

NC State freshman tight end Juice Vereen<\/a><\/strong> led the Wolfpack with four receptions for 65 yards in his freshman debut against Notre Dame last week. Freshman wide receiver Kevin Concepcion<\/a><\/strong> has recorded nine receptions for 60 yards this season, good for 6.7 yards per catch, but hasn\u2019t found the end zone yet. This is the week both Conception and Vereen get their first-career score in Raleigh since he\u2019ll be able to separate from VMI\u2019s cornerbacks in coverage.\u00a0<\/p>\n

4. NC State won\u2019t commit a turnover<\/strong><\/h2>\n

After the Wolfpack committed three turnovers, all interceptions, against Notre Dame after NC State didn\u2019t give the ball away at UConn in the team\u2019s season opener. NC State fumbled the ball three times last week, but didn\u2019t lose any of them. The Wolfpack have been focused on correcting the mistakes from the loss to the Irish last weekend, and NC State will be sure to take care of the football against the Keydets on Saturday afternoon.\u00a0<\/p>\n

5. The Wolfpack will have a third-down conversion rate greater than 50%<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While we\u2019re on the theme of learning from last week, NC State should see an increase in its third-down conversions against VMI. The Wolfpack went 8-of-15 on third down at UConn before it was 8-of-19 on third down against Notre Dame. It was just over 40% against the Irish, which was better than Notre Dame\u2019s 35% third down conversion rate. But this week, with an increased focus within NC State\u2019s program, the Wolfpack should be able to move the ball well against VMI and third down conversions will be key in that.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The post NC State Friday 5: Bold predictions for the Wolfpack\u2019s matchup with VMI<\/a> appeared first on On3<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

NC State is at home for the second straight week, and it hosts the Virginia…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16760","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16760","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16760"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16760\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16760"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16760"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16760"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}