I think that overall the Wolfpack plays at about the same level as App.
The NC State up tempo spread offense is very balanced between the run and the pass, behind a stout offensive line that averages 300 lbs.
Tall Boise State transfer Ryan Finney is at QB, who is both efficient and takes care of the ball. He spreads it out between three receivers but also likes to throw to the RBs out of the backfield.
They have a smallish but good RB in Matthew Dayes, who does most of the rushing. They do have a TE who blocks and will rush from an option set.
The Wolfpack 4-3 defense is very stout against the run, with a massive DL that averages almost 300 lbs. Good vs the run, not so with the pass rush. They did not record any sacks vs W&M or ECU
So far they have not been as good against the pass. DBs average around 6'
The Wolfpack special teams are not great with an untested soph PK who wasn't good last year
We will likely not be able to run it up the gut against them; at all. Hopefully we can dink and dunk the passes down the field with an occasional long play.
We will not, I repeat NOT, get anywhere with an inside handoff on third and long. We might as well pooch kick instead.
All in all I think that NC State will move the ball better than App, but we should be able to pass on them better, maybe much better, than we did on App.
The NC State 'equal opportunity' spread will be a challenge for our defense.