The upstart North Carolina State Wolf Pack look to run their record to 5-0 on Saturday when they host the 2-2 Virginia Tech Hokies.  The Wolf Pack finally cracked the Top 25 last week following their road win over Georgia Tech. 

Vegas is still not drinking the kool-aid on NC State and have made them a four-point underdog this weekend with their college football lines.  Virginia Tech picked up a key conference road win at Boston College last week, winning 19-0.  The Hokies have won two straight after dropping their first two of the season.
 
No team got off to a worse start than Virginia Tech.  The Hokies saw their national title hopes go out the window when they lost to Boise State in the opener and followed that by getting beat by FCS opponent James Madison. 

Tech has righted the ship for now and have a favorable schedule the rest of the way if they can take down the Wolf Pack this weekend. 

Tyrod Taylor has taken every snap behind center, completing 65 percent of his passes.  The senior has thrown for 746 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions. 

Virginia Tech relies on the run game mainly so their passing attack ranks just 87th in the nation. Taylor actually leads the team in rushing with 201 yards. 

Star running back Ryan Williams sat out last week with a hamstring injury, but is expected to return against North Carolina State.  Williams has rushed for 139 yards on 46 carries and scored three touchdowns. 

He is averaging only three yards per carry this season after a blazing freshman campaign.  David Wilson and Darren Evans have split time in the backfield during Williams’ absence.  Wilson has 181 yards on 32 carries and two touchdowns, while Evans has gained 164 yards on 35 attempts. 

Jarrett Boykin is the main option at receiver with 11 catches for 243 yards and three touchdowns. 

North Carolina State has started the season 4-0 for the first time in Tom O’Brien’s four years. The Wolf Pack have been one of the biggest surprises of the young college football season. 

Quarterback Russell Wilson has been outstanding and should be considered a strong candidate to receive an invitation to the Heisman Trophy presentation if the team keeps winning. 

He has thrown for 1,112 yards and 11 touchdowns with one interception.  Wilson has spear-headed the 19th-ranked passing attack in the nation.  The offense does have some balance to it.  The Wolf Pack are averaging 145 yards/game on the ground. 

True freshman Mustafa Greene leads the team with 242 yards on 53 carries and four touchdowns.  He has adapted to the college game quickly this season.  Dean Hayes is a nice backup and has 213 yards with two touchdowns. 

Wilson throws the ball to a variety of targets as five players have 10 receptions or more.  Owen Spencer leads the team with 14 catches for 211 yards.  TJ Graham has a team high three touchdown receptions and George Bryan is one of the top tight ends in the ACC. 

The weapons are there are offense and the offensive game plan does a good job of spreading the ball around.  Where this team has really made strides is on the defensive end.  They are not the most talented group, but have held their own through four games and are an opportunistic bunch.

When Virginia Tech and North Carolina State meet, the game almost always comes down to the wire.  Seven of the past eight games have been decided by a touchdown or less.  The Wolf Pack suffered their worst defeat since 1956 last year, losing 38-10. 

Getting four points at home indicates that the oddsmakers believe the Wolf Pack are bound to take a step back soon.  Virginia Tech has played much better football lately and could easily win this game, but I will still take the points.
 
Play: North Carolina State +4
 
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