I think I've convinced myself of the following three things:
(1)
This will be the toughest environment we play in all year.
@KSU & @OSU may not be night games. Ok. State crowds have been very Texas Tech-like (i.e., subdued) over the last few years. This is the first big game of the year for NC State. They're debuting some gimmicky red stadium lights and this is considered to be their best team in years, maybe ever. It's also the first road game for this group. It's going to be a tough environment to play in.
(2)
This is the most experienced defense Tech will play all year, but maybe even in the history of our progrum (because of COVID).
I'm not sure if it's the most talented defense (it might be), but it's definitely the oldest. That experience is also paired with a defensive coordinator that knows what he's doing when it comes to stopping up-tempo Big 12-typical offenses.
(3)
This is the most physically talented QB we will play all season.
Last year, Devin Leary threw for 3500 yards, 35 TDs and just 5 interceptions. Every QB in the country last year with 35 or more TDs threw for more than 5 interceptions. Only four QBs in the last 10 years put up numbers like that, and most of them were top picks in the draft (Mac Jones, Justin Fields, Marcus Marriota, Cody Kessler). The ball comes out of his hand like a fireball.
This is going to be a tough game, maybe the toughest we play all season. We're going to need to have multiple guys play the best games of their career to win, and that starts with Donovan Smith. I predict we show flashes of legitimate competency throughout the game. And maybe even come away from it thinking that, if a couple key plays had gone our way, we could've pulled out a win. But I don't think we ultimately get it done. Not being able to run the ball traditionally will be a problem in this game. Putting our defense in bad spots will be a problem in this game. Devin Leary beating good coverage will also be a problem.
NC State 34
Texas Tech 20
Ryan left it all out on the field in everything he did. In his honor, we bring you Fields of Gold, so that others facing bone cancer can keep on playing. A portion of proceeds from every case sold is donated to The Little Warrior Foundation.
The Little Warrior Foundation's mission is to fund & find a lasting cure for childhood cancer, with a specific focus on Ewing's Sarcoma.
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