The NC State Wolfpack and the UConn Huskies meet in week 1 college football action from Pratt & Whitney Stadium on Thursday night. Who will start the season on the right foot? Let’s dive in and find out.
NC State Team Preview
The NC State Wolfpack will look to keep the run going after a third straight winning season under Dave Doeren with an 8-5 overall record including a 4-4 mark in ACC conference play. The season culminated with a trip to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, but it resulted in a 3rd straight bowl game defeat after a 16-12 loss to Maryland. Devin Leary’s out in Raleigh, but cue the entrance of former Virginia QB Brennan Armstrong and new OC Robert Anae, with Armstrong having a magical 2021 season but was unable to replicate that success in 2022, throwing for 2,210 yards, 7 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The Wolfpack’s receiving corps got ravaged with three of their top four receivers now gone, but Keyon Lesane is back after recording 342 receiving yards last season and the Wolfpack hit the transfer portal hard for receiving help. The Wolfpack backfield got back Jordan Houston, who led NC State with 544 rushing yards last season but it’ll have to be better up front if Houston’s going to average more than 4 yards per carry. On defense, the front seven loses a lot of top-end depth, but the pieces are still there to have some success, led by Jaylon Scott and Devon Betty with CJ Clark on the nose. The secondary, that recorded 19 interceptions last season, will feature the return of Shyheim Battle and Aydan White.
NC State Wolfpack Team Facts
- The underdog has won four of NC State’s last five games.
- NC State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- NC State has won the first quarter in six of its last seven games against non-conference opponents.
- NC State has won the first half in six of its last seven games against non-conference opponents.
- Each of NC State’s last four season openers as a favorite have gone UNDER the total points line.
UConn Team Preview
The UConn Huskies had one of their better seasons in recent memory as Jim Mora Jr. restored some of the lustre on UConn’s name, with a 6-7 record their best mark since 2015. The Huskies wound up in the Myrtle Beach Bowl and would fall to Marshall 28-14 in that one. The huskies have themselves a QB battle atop the depth chart with Ta’Quan Roberson returning from injury while Zion Turner was a solid option as a true freshman last season, but it looks like Roberson will be given the first look early on at full strength. The 1-2 punch in UConn’s backfield of Victor Rosa and Devontae Houston returns, and while UConn loses the services of Aaron Turner as their top receiver there are other key pieces returning, like Kevens Clercius who was 2nd in receiving and the addition of TE Louis Hanson should help matters as well. On defense, Jackson Mitchell’s back to anchor UConn’s defense after logging 140 tackles last season while the bulk of the UConn front seven returns and is aided by the incoming transfer of Eriq Gilyard from Kansas. The secondary is mainly in tact as well, led by Eric Watts, Pryce Yares and Durante Jones.
Connecticut Huskies Team Facts
- Connecticut has lost eight of its last nine games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
- Connecticut has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five home games in August.
- Connecticut has lost the first half in 10 of its last 11 games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
- Seven of Connecticut’s last eight season openers have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Connecticut ranked 13th among FBS teams for Q4 points allowed per game last season (4.5).
- Connecticut ranked T25th among FBS teams for Q4 win percentage last season (.538).
- 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).
Chris’ Pick
I don’t love this game, but I’ll take a shot with the Huskies and the points. I think UConn remembers the 41-10 loss to NC State in Raleigh when these two met last season and outside of that, we saw the Huskies be mighty competitive last season and battle better teams than this tougher. Sure, the Wolfpack got a decent QB option in Brennan Armstrong, but Armstrong’s still missing weapons to throw to and it’s going to take some time to gel. UConn’s got a point to prove this season that they’re a legitimate team to look at in the FBS and no longer a pushover. I’m not saying the Huskies win outright, but getting more than two touchdowns, I could easily see a 31-20 or 31-17 kind of game so give me UConn and the points.
