The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the NC State Wolfpack meet in week 2 college football action from Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Notre Dame Improve To 2-0 Over Tennessee State
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish come into this one after starting the year 2-0 thanks to a 56-3 dismantling of Tennessee State in their last matchup. Sam Hartman threw for 194 yards on 14 of 17 passing with a pair of touchdowns while Steve Angeli added 130 passing yards and 2 TDs on 8 of 11 passing as well. Audric Estime chipped in 116 rushing yards and a touchdown on 13 carries while Jeremiyah Love added 46 rushing yards with a TD and the aforementioned Hartman rushed for another score as well. Jayden Thomas had a team-high 4 grabs for 62 yards while Mitchell Evans added 4 receptions of his own for 61 yards. Jadarian Price, Gi’Bran Payne, Chris Tyree and Holden Staes each chipped in a TD grab in the win. On defense, Howard Cross III had a team-high 6 total tackles while Jordan Botelho had a sack. Clarence Lewis added a 33-yard pick-six while Ramon Henderson added an interception as well.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Team Facts
– Notre Dame has won each of its last 11 road games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
– Notre Dame has covered the spread in each of its last eight matches when playing with a rest disadvantage.
– Notre Dame has won the first half in each of its last nine games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
– Eight of Notre Dame’s last nine games have gone OVER the total points line.
NC State Takes Out UConn In Opener
The NC State Wolfpack opened the year with a 24-14 win over the feisty UConn Huskies in week 0. Brennan Armstrong threw for 155 yards on 17 of 26 passing while also rushing for 96 yards and a pair fo touchdowns. Jordan Houston also added 57 rushing yards and Delbert Mimms III had a rushing TD as well. Kevin Concepcion added a team-high 4 catches for 36 yards to lead the Wolfpack in receiving. On defense, Payton Wilson led NC State with 10 total tackles including 8 solo tackles while Davin Vann and Red Hibbler each had a sack. Wilson also chipped in an interception for NC State’s defense as well.
NC State Wolfpack Team Facts
– NC State has won each of its last 23 games against non-conference opponents at Carter-Finley Stadium.
– The underdog has covered the spread in each of NC State’s last five games at Carter-Finley Stadium.
– NC State has won the first quarter in each of its last six games against non-conference opponents at Carter-Finley Stadium.
– NC State has won the first half in 20 of its last 21 games against non-conference opponents at Carter-Finley Stadium.
– Each of NC State’s last seven games against top-15 AP-ranked teams at Carter-Finley Stadium have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
– NC State ranked 4th among FBS teams for Q1 points allowed per game last season (2.3).
– NC State ranked 11th among FBS teams for H1 points allowed per game last season (8.5).
– Notre Dame ranked 3rd among FBS teams for Q2 points allowed per game last season (3.5).
– Notre Dame ranked T12th among FBS teams for Q2 win percentage last season (.692).
Chris’ Pick
I’m leaning towards Notre Dame early on, and will see as the line moves, but even laying just over a touchdown, I didn’t like what I saw from NC State against UConn, as drives for the Wolfpack just kept stalling out and UConn simply couldn’t take advantage and even at home, you can’t have drives like that against Notre Dame. Sure, this Notre Dame team has been prone to lapses in the pass, but Hartman’s an experienced QB that has experience playing in Raleigh from his time with Wake Forest and I think Notre Dame goes into NC State and wins this one by 10-14 points, somewhere in the range of 34-24. Give me Notre Dame laying the points.