NC State football vs Stanford: Scouting report, prediction for ACC game
N.C. State football returns to Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday (Noon, ACC Network) to face Stanford for the first time in program history.
Coming off an idle week, the Wolfpack (4-4, 1-3 ACC) will try to build some momentum against the struggling Cardinal (2-6, 1-4) on homecoming in Raleigh.
N.C. State will also recognize one of its all-time great players this weekend when it adds former Wolfpack linebacker Payton Wilson, the reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers, to the Ring of Honor.
Here’s a look at things to watch and a score prediction for N.C. State vs. Stanford.
Will NC State have another strong finish under Dave Doeren?
The Wolfpack’s 2023 season was headed in the wrong direction before N.C. State won its last five games in the regular season to finish with a 9-4 record. Those five victories came after an off week. Coming off a 24-23 comeback win at Cal, the Wolfpack is in position to follow a similar path this season with four games left in the regular season.
NC State quarterback CJ Bailey joining Philip Rivers with impressive start
Since becoming the Wolfpack’s starting quarterback, CJ Bailey continues to join Philip Rivers in the program record books as the first true freshman to shine at the position since Rivers in 2000. Over the course of its five-game losing streak, Stanford has allowed QBs to throw three touchdowns in three straight games. Bailey has thrown two passing TDs in three games in a row, including back-to-back games with 300 or more passing yards.
Wolfpack defense has to spotlight Stanford wide receiver Elic Ayomanor
Stanford doesn’t have a good record, but it has one of the top receivers in the ACC. Sophomore wideout Elic Ayomanor has 42 catches for 484 yards and four touchdowns this season as the Cardinal’s top playmaker. Ayomanor is coming off a season-high 11 catches for 96 yards against Wake Forest. If N.C. State’s secondary can limit Ayomanor, the Wolfpack should coast to a victory.
NC State vs Stanford score prediction
NC State 34, Stanford 20: This is the time for the Wolfpack to put it all together on both sides of the ball. It’s hard to imagine N.C. State suffering a letdown on the same day it honors Payton Wilson.
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: NC State football vs Stanford: Scouting report, score prediction
