Western Carolina will face off against No. 24 N.C. State on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET, broadcasted on the ACC Network. As the game approaches, no betting line has been disclosed. N.C. State currently holds a 7-0 lead in the series record between the two teams.
N.C. State is gearing up for the season with aspirations of making a significant impact in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The team has welcomed notable transfers, including former Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall, who boasts a career of over 10,000 passing yards. The Wolfpack will face No. 15 Tennessee in their next game, making this matchup with the Southern Conference’s No. 19 ranked team, Western Carolina, an important opportunity to assess their roster.
One of the key matchups to watch in this game is the clash between Western Carolina’s revamped offense, now under new leadership with coordinator Rylan Wells, and N.C. State’s defense, which is in search of a replacement for standout linebacker Payton Wilson. Wilson, a recipient of several prestigious defensive awards, leaves big shoes to fill on the Wolfpack’s defensive lineup.
Players to keep an eye on during the game include Western Carolina’s QB Cole Gonzales, who had an impressive performance last season, and N.C. State’s WR KC Concepcion, a rising star who showcased his skills throughout the previous season.
This will mark the fifth time that Western Carolina visits Raleigh for N.C. State’s season opener. The Wolfpack has been dominant in previous matchups, securing two shutout victories and averaging 47 points in the series. In their most recent encounter in 2019, N.C. State emerged victorious with a 41-0 win. Western Carolina has struggled against ranked Bowl Subdivision opponents, currently holding a 0-9 record. In their most recent game against such an opponent in 2021, they suffered a significant loss to Oklahoma with a score of 76-0. Throughout these matchups, the Catamounts have failed to surpass 16 points, with their first game against a ranked FBS team dating back to 2001 against Louisville.
