North Carolina State vs. Miami: Complete Game Preview

North Carolina State heads to Miami to play the Hurricanes for the first time since the 2008 season. The last meeting was won by the Wolfpack, 38-28.

Both teams are 3-1 so far this season, but this is the first ACC game for North Carolina State while Miami will be playing its third conference game of the season. The Hurricanes are 2-0 in the conference beating Boston College and Georgia Tech.

Here is the complete preview of North Carolina State vs. Miami.

Game-Day Information

Who: North Carolina State vs. Miami

When: Saturday, noon ET

Where: Miami Gardens, Fla.

Stadium: Sun Life Stadium (75,540)

TV: ESPNU

Radio: WQAM 560 AM, WELE 1380 AM

Internet Stream: Canes All Access

Depth Chart for Miami

Position: Starter, Backup (as of Sept. 24, 2012)

OFFENSE

QB: Stephen Morris, Ryan Williams

FB: Maurice Hagens, Sean Harvey

RB: Mike James, Duke Johnson, Eduardo Clements

TE: Dyron Dye, Clive Walford, Asante Cleveland

WR: Phillip Dorsett, Kendal Thompkins

WR: Allen Hurns, Davon Johnson

WR: Rashawn Scott, Herb Waters

LT: Malcolm Bunche or Seantrel Henderson

LG: Jon Feliciano, Jeremy Lewis

C: Shane McDermott, Jared Wheeler

RG: Brandon Linder, Jermaine Johnson or Daniel Isidora

RT: Ereck Flowers or Ben Jones

DEFENSE

DE: Anthony Chickillo, Jelani Hamilton

DT: Darius Smith, Earl Moore, Jalen Grimble

DT: Olsen Pierre, Corey King or Luther Robinson

DE: Shayon Green, Kelvin Cain or Tyriq McCord

OLB: Eddie Johnson, Thurston Armbrister, Gabe Terry

MLB: Jimmy Gaines, Gionni Paul

OLB: Tyrone Cornelius, Jimmy Gaines, Nantambu Fentress

CB: Thomas Finnie, Tracy Howard,

CB: Brandon McGee, Antonio Crawford or Ladarius Gunter

S: A.J. Highsmith, Vaughn Telemaque

S: Deon Bush, Kacy Rodgers II

SPECIAL TEAMS

P: Dalton Botts, Jake Wieclaw

FG: Jake Wieclaw, Matt Goudis

KO: Jake Wieclaw, Matt Goudis

H: Dalton Botts, Ryan Williams

LS: Paul Kelly

SS: Paul Kelly

PR: Phillip Dorsett, Duke Johnson

KR: Phillip Dorsett, Duke Johnson

Injury Report:

Out: Ramon Buchanan (season—knee), Sean McNally (season—lower extremity), Malcolm Lewis (season—ankle)

Doubtful: Denzel Perryman (ankle)

Questionable: Dalton Botts (ankle), Raphael Kirby (knee), Curtis Porter (appendix)

Probable: N/A

Depth Chart for North Carolina State

Position: Starter, Backup (as of Sept. 24, 2012)

OFFENSE

QB: Mike Glennon, Manny Stocker

HB: Tony Creecy, Shadrach Thornton

FB: Logan Winkles, Tyler Purvis

WR: Quintin Payton, Bryan Underwood, Charlie Hagedus

WR: Tobias Palmer, Rashard Smith, Hakeen Flowers

TE: Mario Carter, Asa Watson

LT: Tyson Chandler, Quincy McKinney

LG: R.J. Mattes, Duran Christphe

C: Camden Wentz, Joe Thuney

RG: Zach Allen, Cameron Fordham

OT: Andrew Wallace, Alex Barr

DEFENSE

LE: Darryl Cato-Bishop, Forrest West, McKay Frandsen

LT: Thomas Teal, Carlos Gray

RT: T.Y. McGill, A.J. Ferguson

RE: Brian Slay, Art Norman, Mike Rose

SLB: Rodman Noel, Brandon Pittman

MLB: Sterling Lucas, Ryan Cheek

WLB: Rickey Dowdy, Zach Gentry

FC: David Amerson, Juston Burris, Jordan Monk

BC: Dontae Johnson, Jarvis Byrd

FS: Brandon Bishop, Tim Buckley

BS: Earl Wolff, Hakim Jones

SPECIAL TEAMS

P: Will Baumann, WIlliam Stephenson

PK: Niklas Sade, Matthew Shaefer

H: Wil Baumann

LS: Scott Thompson

PR: Rashard Smith, David Amerson

KR: Tobias Palmer, Earl Wolff, David Amerson

*Note: North Carolina State didn't release an official injury report when this article was published.

According to www.packinsider.com:

"

Mustafa Greene is still not listed on the depth chart and senior James Washington is also missing, presumably due to injury.

Starting left tackle Rob Crisp is also still missing on the depth chart with an injury sustained in the first game of the season.

"

What Happened to the Hurricanes Last Week

The Miami Hurricanes defeated Georgia Tech 42-36 in overtime last Saturday in Atlanta, Ga. Hurricane running back Mike James scored the game-winning touchdown after the Hurricane defense stopped Georgia Tech on its first possession of overtime.

James finished the game with 89 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries. He also had three receptions for 24 yards and a touchdown.

Hurricane quarterback Stephen Morris completed 31 of 52 passes for 436 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. The 436 yards was a career high for Morris and the fifth-most passing yards in school history.

Wide receiver Phillip Dorsett led all receivers with nine catches for 184 yards and a touchdown.

The Hurricanes beat the Yellow Jackets for the fourth consecutive season.

What Happened to the Wolfpack Last Week

Running back Shadrach Thornton had 21 carries for 145 yards and two touchdowns as North Carolina State blew out Citadel, 52-14. The freshman got most of the carries as starting running back Tony Creecy missed the game due to an injury.

Quarterback Mike Glennon completed 19 of 24 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown for the Wolfpack as the score reached 42-7 by halftime.

North Carolina State amassed 515 yards of total offense while holding Citadel to just 226.

What It Means for Both Teams

Obviously this game is huge for both teams as all conference games are, but the Hurricanes will have an opportunity to take a two-game lead over Virginia Tech in the Coastal Division. The Hokies (1-0 in the ACC) play out of conference this week when they take on the Cincinnati Bearcats.

This will be the ACC opener for the Wolfpack as they played all four games out of conference. North Carolina State is already two games back of Florida State (2-0 in ACC) in the Atlantic Division.

Either way you look at it, one of these two teams will be handed their first loss in the ACC.

Key Player(s) for the Hurricanes: Defensive Backs

The Hurricanes pass defense has been less than stellar so far this season. They gave up 441 yards to Boston College quarterback Chase Rettig in the first game of the season and gave up 19.92 yards per completion to Kansas State and Georgia Tech.

The Wolfpack, under quarterback Mike Glennon, are a pass-oriented offense and have the wide receivers to create some match-up problems with the Hurricanes. North Carolina State is currently ranked No. 53 in the country in passing yards per game with 245.5.

The Hurricanes' defensive line must also do their part in creating a pass-rush. The defensive backfield needs all the help they can get.

Key Player for the Wolfpack: Mike Glennon, QB

For me, this is a no-brainer as Wolpack quarterback Mike Glennon is the proven leader of this North Carolina State team.

Glennon already has 982 passing yards and six touchdowns only four games into the season. He is a very accurate passer with a strong arm proving it over the last two games in which he has completed 74.9 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and no interceptions.

As stated in the previous slide, the Hurricanes pass-defense hasn't been good this season which could allow Glennon to post some career-high numbers.

The Hurricanes Will Win If...

The Hurricanes will win this game if they can move the ball like they did against Boston College and Georgia Tech. The coaching staff has to let Morris run the offense and throw down the field in order for Miami to win this game.

I still don't have complete trust in the Hurricanes defense, so scoring points will be key for a Hurricane victory.

Every week it seems like there is a new leader on offense as shown last week when running back Mike James scored four touchdowns (three rushing).

The previous week was owned by true freshman running back Duke Johnson, who also scored four times (two rushing, one receiving and a kick return).

The Wolfpack Will Win If...

The Wolfpack will win this game if they have a more balanced attack on offense. The Hurricanes struggle when having to stop the run and pass, proven in the slaughter to Kansas State.

I honestly believe quarterback Mike Glennon will have a big game and if the running backs can can add solid yards on the ground, the Wolfpack should be able to leave Miami with a win.

North Carolina State's scoring defense has been pretty solid giving up just 15.8 points per game (No. 27 in the country), but did struggle in the season opener to Tennessee, losing 21-35.

Prediction

The Hurricanes have already played (and won) two ACC games while the Wolfpack haven't played any so far this season.

North Carolina State has played a weaker schedule in Tennessee, Connecticut, South Alabama and Citadel. Now the Wolfpack have to go on the road for their first conference game against a Miami team that is coming off a huge win on the road against Georgia Tech.

Although this game promises to be exciting, I just don't believe the Wolfpack have enough on offense to keep up with a new re-vamped Hurricane offense.

Final prediction: Miami 38, North Carolina State 28