#24 NC State is a 3 point underdog against #17 Louisville tonight under the lights at Carter-Finley Stadium, but here are our keys for the Wolfpack to pull off the ‘upset’ tonight against the Cardinals.

Get Out to a Fast Start Offensively

Louisville is one of the highest powered offenses in the nation, averaging 40 points per game, and 575 yards of total offense. Translation: this isn’t a team that you want to get behind and have to chase only through the air. The Wolfpack was able to do this against Syracuse this past Saturday, and they will need to do more of the same tonight if they want too walk out of the Carter with a W.

Establish the Run Game

Many assume that this game will be an air show, with both teams challenging one another with their impressive passing attacks, but I believe that NC State has to establish the run game against Louisville if they want to win this game. Syracuse entered Carter-Finley as the #22 team nationally stopping the run, allowing only 101 yards per game. The Wolfpack couldn’t have cared less, dropping 256 rushing yards on the Orangemen.

Here’s why this is important to reproduce. When you play an explosive offense like Louisville, that leads the nation in gains of +20 and +30 yards, and can score quickly, you need to do everything in your power to keep them off of the field, with your offense and your defense.

Aka…the Wolfpack needs to produce long drives that keep the clock rolling. Even if they were to get down a score or two, they shouldn’t abandon the run game, because you will never catch up if you keep handing the ball over to the Cardinals quickly. This won’t be easy pickings, because Louisville is only giving up 104.6 rushing yards per game, which ranks 21st in the NCAA, but this kind of defense wasn’t able to stop the Wolfpack last week.

Attack Lamar Jackson Relentlessly 

Louisville Quarterback Lamar Jackson is the most dangerous player in college football today, and might be the most dangerous offensive weapon I can remember watching at the collegiate level. What he can do with his legs running the ball in open space and what he can do with a comfortable pocket with his arm is beyond impressive.

Opposing defenses often are tempted to make Jackson beat them through the air, and play a timid contain defense, trying to keep him from running. This hasn’t ever been a recipe for success against Jackson.

The teams that have beaten the Cardinals are the teams that got into the backfield with their hair on fire, chasing Jackson like madmen. Jackson is going to break off some big plays. There is no doubting that. But NC State has to live in the Cardinal backfield, and hit Jackson all…night…long. The Louisville offensive line isn’t a strength of theirs, and if Wolfpack Defensive End Bradley Chubb can play like he has the past two weeks, and get his boys on the Defensive Line to do the same, and not allow Jackson to get comfortable, NC State could be looking at a victory.

Take the ball and Keep the Ball

One of the best ways to beat an explosive offense is to take the ball away, and hold onto it when you have it. NC State ranks 15th in the nation in turnover margin and Louisville ranks 87th. If the Wolfpack lose the turnover margin tonight, they won’t win the game tonight. Period.