N.C. State Football: West Virginia Preview

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 07: Quarterback Austin Kendall #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers looks to pass against the Missouri Tigers in the second half at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 07: Quarterback Austin Kendall #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers looks to pass against the Missouri Tigers in the second half at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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The Wolfpack heads to Morgantown for its biggest non-conference match-up of the season.

Who: N.C. State Wolfpack (2-0) at West Virginia Mountaineers (1-1)
When: Saturday September 14, 2019 – 12:00 P.M. EST
Where: Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, West Virginia
TV channel: FS1
Live stream: Fubo TV
Line: N.C. State -6.5
Weather: Sunny, 80°at kickoff

Last Week:
N.C. State pummeled Western Carolina 41-0

West Virginia was beat 38-7 by Missouri

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 07: Running back Alec Sinkfield #20 of the West Virginia Mountaineers is tackled by linebacker Nick Bolton #32 of the Missouri Tigers in the fourth quarter at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 07: Running back Alec Sinkfield #20 of the West Virginia Mountaineers is tackled by linebacker Nick Bolton #32 of the Missouri Tigers in the fourth quarter at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

One Player to Watch on West Virginia:

Junior Defensive Lineman Darius Stills – Four tackles, three TFL, three sacks

Stills collected two sacks against Missouri, giving him three for the year. Against a banged up Wolfpack offensive line, Stills could become a nightmare in the Wolfpack backfield. He played in all 12 games last season, but it appears he’s prime for a breakout season this year.

If N.C. State Wins:

The Wolfpack will have cleared the only hurdle on its non-conference schedule. The Wolfpack needs to win this game and it needs the Mountaineers to make noise in the Big 12, as it would go far for the team’s perception moving forward.

If N.C. State Loses:

It would be a bad look for N.C. State after the Mountaineers were crushed by Missouri last weekend. The Mountaineers have struggled with turnovers, time of possession and even basic things like running the football. This is not the same West Virginia team that won eight games last season behind Will Grier’s magic arm. The Wolfpack would be missing a massive opportunity with a loss.

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 31: Larrell Murchison #92and Xavier Lyas #97 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack celebrate after a defensive stop against the East Carolina Pirates during the second half of their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 31: Larrell Murchison #92and Xavier Lyas #97 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack celebrate after a defensive stop against the East Carolina Pirates during the second half of their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Prediction:

The Wolfpack and head coach Dave Doeren need this win. Here is the list of out-of-conference victories that NC State has collected under Doeren: Louisiana Tech, Richmond, Central Michigan, Georgia Southern, USF (they went 4-8 that year), Presbyterian, Troy, Eastern Kentucky, South Alabama, Old Dominion, William & Mary, Notre Dame (4-8 that year), Marshall, Furman, James Madison, Georgia State and East Carolina.

West Virginia might end up landing in the same boat as Notre Dame…a win over a big time program in a down year. But that won’t be Doeren’s fault. Losing will. This will be a good test for quarterback Matt McKay and the Wolfpack offense, as well as the much-maligned Wolfpack secondary. Give me N.C. State in a barnburner.

N.C. State 33 West Virginia 21