NC State vs: ODU: The Monarchs are coming…the Monarchs are coming!

Week 2 Preview:  Old Dominion University

The Monarchs are indeed coming Saturday night at 6:00pm as the NC State football team gets an opportunity to impress the faithful with a decisive home victory over the Old Dominion Monarchs. This would be a welcome outcome after the nail-biting come-from-behind victory over Georgia Southern last week.

Fresh off a 41-28 victory over Hampton, ODU looks to continue its offensive ways as the Monarchs (1-0) visit Carter-Finley Stadium. Senior quarterback Taylor Heinicke passed for 3 touchdowns and sophomore Gerard Johnson rushed for 137 yards in the win.

Oct 26, 2013; Tallahassee, FL, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack running back Shadrach Thornton (10) runs ball during the second half of the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

The Wolfpack (1-0) should be able to take advantage of a porous ODU defense that gave up 407 yards passing to Hampton’s defense. Look for the Pack to exploit the Monarchs with inside ball screens and heavy doses of Shadrach Thornton, Tony Creecy and Matt Dayes. Likewise, quarterback Jacoby Brissett should have much success through the air and on the ground.

The concern is that Wolfpack take ODU seriously and do not get over confident. For the Pack to have a successful season they NEED this game and the other one or two games that they will actually be favored. There is no margin for error.

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This will be the first night game of the season and a test of discipline for this young Wolfpack football team. Like last week, this is another test of how to win games the Pack should win. It would be nice to see Brissett build off last week’s performance and continue to improve. The same can also be said for the solid Wolfpack defense that showed a lot of promise. Expect the defense to come out swinging.

The game will be televised live on ESPN3.

Prediction: N.C. State- 31   ODU- 10