NC State vs. Furman | Week 3 | Preview and How to Watch

NC State Wolfpack vs. Furman Paladins
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Carter-Finley Stadium
TV: ESPN3
Line: NCSU -27

You wanna know how you get back on track (or completely end your season by week 4)? You play Furman. While no pushover, here is a look at the matchup for Saturday night.

Furman Preview

The Paladins come into the game 2-0, after wins agains NC A&T (29-18) and Tennessee Tech (26-0). If you’re looking for any kind of comparison, NC A&T hung with fellow D1 subdivision team, Duke, last week.

It’s always tough to analyze FCS teams, because while talented within the FCS, how does it translate into a Power 5 matchup? Here’s our thoughts on Furman…

Furman’s defense will hang with this State offense, unless Beck and company decide they do in fact want to try and score tonight. Through two games, they’ve only given up an average of 230 total yards. They’ve forced more turnovers (5) than touchdowns given up (2). They’re athletic upfront to control the run, and have enough speed to close gaps in the secondary.

Offensively, however, is where State can take advantage. Average running game, decent receivers, but they ultimately rely heavily on the big play abilities. Out of their five touchdowns, three come from plays over 40 yards. In just two short weeks, their kicker has eight attempts, hitting seven of them. They nickel and dime and, more often than not, settle for field goals.

Keys to Winning for the Wolfpack

• Takeover the Field Position Game: If our defense steps up, showcasing their speed and size, there won’t be much time spent on our side of the field. They have to get pressure on Furman’s QB Sisson, and can’t settle for ZERO sacks again. Furthermore, it’s time to get that turnover bone out again and again and again. Force mistakes by making your reads. Let’s allow our depth on defense to shine.
• Leary Finds His Groove: Damn those cowbells. Get this offense into a balanced attacked that we saw in the opener against USF. Allow Bam and Person to alleviate the pressure, while this WR crew spreads the field. No reason to be throwing up 50-50 balls. Definitely no reason to go through the left side of the line each play. Leary needs to read, react and get it rolling.
• Don’t Make This a One Half Game: Look, we understand that Furman comes in with an overwhelming desire to beat the big boys. We understand that in many of these games, the home Power 5 team comes out flat, the FCS club sticks around and the second half is when this game is put away. Let’s not do that. The USF game was perfect in that the tone was set early and the pressure was unwavering. DO NOT let the Paladins remotely think that this game is their’s. The last thing DD needs is another press conference talking about how “we just can’t stop shooting ourselves in the foot.”

Prediction

First quarter is slow with State trying to do too much, all at once. The next three quarters go as expected with the offense keeping drives alive and the defense feasting on opportunities. Special callout prediction, Thayer Thomas get a NICE return today. Frankly, we can’t and shouldn’t make this a close game. And we sure as hell can’t be looking ahead to Clemson.

Wolfpack Wins, 37-13