NC State Wolfpack 2022 College Football Preview
August 6, 2022
2021 Recap
Record –9-3
ATS – 7-5
The Pack put together a fine season and came THIS close to making a trip to the ACC Championship Game. They lost a pair of conference games by a total of four points (both on the road) and that meant they had to watch Wake Forest represent the division in the big game. Their Holiday Bowl duel with UCLA was cancelled on account of fake “science” and fake “tests” so they finished the campaign with a mark of 9-3.
NC State Wolfpack 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
The pack got nothing done on the ground LY (116 YPG, #99 FBS) but had the golden arm of QB Devin Leary to rely upon (66%, 3,433, 35-5 TD to INT). Four of NC State’s top-five in terms of receiving yards are back for duty and we expect Leary to have another big season. Things could get really interesting if a legit HORSE emerges from the group. Devin Carter just might be that guy (556, 17.9, 6 TD LY), but time will tell. There’s a yuuuge question mark at RB where the Pack loses the devastating 1-2 RB punch of Zonovan Knight and Ricky Person who combined for 1,389 yards and 8 TDs in 2021. Nobody else had more than 100Y last season. Not many folks seem to be worried about the RB situation, but color us skeptical. It doesn’t help that they also lost all-UNIVERSE LT Ikem Ekwonu in the first round of the NFL draft. This looks like a very good, but far from “great” offense.
DEFENSE
There’s very good news to report on this side of the football as the Pack returns 10 (!) starters to a unit that finished #2 in the ACC in scoring defense and #3 in total defense in 2021. They look good up front with the return of two starters including 1st Team ACC honoree Cory Durden and they’ll be REALLY good if they can find a legit pass rusher amongst the big boys. The LB corps is the best in the ACC (!) and boasts a pair of stars in AA Drake Thomas (100 tackles, 13.5 TFL LY) and Isaiah Moore (5 TFL, 7 QBH). Everyone of consequence is back in the secondary including 1st Team ACC member Tanner Ingle and recall that NC State allowed a mere 52.5% completions in 2021 (#2 FBS) (!). With apologies to Clemson, this looks like the best defense in the conference. Game on!
SPECIAL TEAMS
RUH ROH. PK Christopher Dunn hit 13-19 FG attempts LY (0-3 50+) and they need to break in a new punter. It’s also a kick in the JACOBS to lose ace KR Zonovan Knight who took a pair of kickoffs to the CRIBBY WIZZY HIZZY LIZZO in 2021.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – It’s almost all good news, yo. The non-conference schedule is CHARMIN SOFT, they get four of their first six games at home, and they receive a nice draw from the Coastal (North Carolina, Virginia Tech). The only bad news is that they have to play their yuuuuuge game with Clemson on the road.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – October 15 – at Syracuse
This is a potential letdown spot as this contest follows back-to-back games with Clemson and Florida St. And we know that crazy things can happen in that dome. Not saying, just saying.
Season Win Total
per BetOnline Aug 6
Over 8.5 -150
Under 8.5 +120
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
They might be favored in 11 games.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
HC Dave Doeren isn’t the most trustworthy dood out there when it comes to making BANK. He’s booked a mediocre 54-57-2 mark vs Vegas (48.6%) during his tenure with NC State and he’s just 8-14-2 as a road underdog (36%).
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
Our DEEP ACC INSIDERS were DEAD ON BALLS ACCURATE when they opined the following in our 2021 NC State preview…….The schedule isn’t easy but these guys look dangerous on paper and are a legit SURPRISE PACKAGE.
Yup, that team total ‘over’ wager was GOLD, Jerry. But what about 2022?
We don’t love the fact that they have to play Clemson on the road where the Tigers haven’t lost a game since the #1 TV show was Different Strokes **. And we also have more worries than most about the offense. The good news is that the defense is FLAT OUT NASTY and that makes them a legit threat to win every game. We give Clemson a slight nod for divisional spoils but wouldn’t be surprised if the Pack SHOCKED the WORLD and took down the Atlantic. Let’s do itttttttt!
** needs fact check
Want more NC State football ?
WEBSITE
https://gopack.com/sports/football
FORUM
https://247sports.com/college/north-carolina-state/Board/PackPride-Sports-103752/
https://ncstate.forums.rivals.com/forums/the-wolves-den.8/
NEWS
http://www.backingthepack.com/nc-state-football
http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/nc-state/
https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/152/nc-state-wolfpack