One team has outgained another by a yardage margin of 502-334.
The same team outgains another team by 504-246.
Somehow, said team loses both games. Say hello to North Carolina State. Their rivalry game against an injury-riddled, 3-8 North Carolina team does not resonate outside the Tar Heel state but the Odyssey highly recommends to Dave Doeren that the Wolfpack not do a faceplant as a 16-point favorite today.
This SHOULD have been the year for North Carolina State to surpass their more prestigious foes in the Atlantic Division. Florida State was crippled by the loss of Deandre Francois. Louisville’s suspect defense negated the out-of-this-world brilliance of Lamar Jackson. Clemson was still formidable but Kelly Bryant is not the second coming of Deshaun Watson.
For the second straight year, the Wolfpack narrowly lost to Clemson.
Last year’s loss to the Tigers was even more heartbreaking as a missed game-winning field goal cost NC State in an overtime loss. Last year, their 24-20 loss to Florida State was also of a heartbreak variety.
This should have been the year for the Wolfpack, spearheaded by a stout defensive line and a seasoned quarterback in Ryan Finley. NC State beat Louisville on an electric Thursday night in Raleigh. Florida State was also vanquished.
Alas, NC State comes off yet another heartbreaking 6-point loss to Wake Forest in which a Freshman wide receiver fumbles at the Wake one-foot line with under 2 minutes to go.
How much heartbreak and unfulfilled potential can the passionate Wolfpack fan base endure? If NC State stumbles yet again, Dave Doeren might find out.