After dropping what arguably should have been its fifth win of the season in a 33-30 overtime loss to Wake Forest last week, Duke looks to rebound this week against another in-state rival-albeit one the Blue Devils haven't seen in some time.
No member of this year's team has ever played N.C. State, but fans from the Triangle area are more than familiar with the rivalry that once was. Since the two squads' first meeting in 1924, Duke holds a slight series lead with a 39-35-5 all-time record. The Wolfpack have won the last 10 meetings, but two narrow wins during the Philip Rivers-era in 2000 and 2002 over the Blue Devils helped propel the matchup to one of its highest points.
Then, the ACC acquired Boston College, Miami and Virginia Tech, and the conference was thrown into a bit of a whirlwind. As a result, the rivalry between two schools just 15 miles apart died, with Duke and N.C. State's last meeting coming in 2003. But even though this will be the current Blue Devils' first time suiting up against the Wolfpack, they still feel the intensity involved.
"I was kind of surprised that we didn't have them on our schedule before," defensive end Greg Akinbiyi. "I am really excited to have this opportunity to play another in-state team."
The Wolfpack will have only played two games in the 34 days prior to Saturday's contest, which has helped N.C. State recover from the myriad of injuries that has plagued the team all season. Injured offensive lineman Julian Williams and linebacker Nate Irving, who is one of the defense's driving forces with 35 tackles, three interceptions and a fumble recovery, will both return to the starting lineup this weekend.
N.C. State's offense, although mostly unnoticed because of the team's 2-6 record, has performed reasonably well this season, averaging 19.4 points and 291.6 yards per game. Quarterback Russell Wilson has completed 57 percent of his passes and has proven his sound decision-making abilities with his 8:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio this season. But the Wolfpack are wary of the Duke defense, a unit that has forced 14 turnovers in the last five games.
"We know they are a talented, mature group," N.C. State offensive lineman Jeraill McCuller said. "Their front seven can wreak a lot of havoc on the field."
"We better have our chin straps buttoned and our mouth guards in when we play this football team," Wolfpack head coach Tom O'Brien said.
If N.C. State hopes to extend its 10-game winning streak against the Blue Devils, though, it will need to quickly shore up its own defense. In their last two contests, the Wolfpack have put up big numbers against No. 23 Maryland and No. 24 Florida State-a combined 55 points-but dropped both contests because of shaky pass coverage and front-line play. The Seminoles tore up N.C. State through the air, racking up 254 yards, and the Terrapins rushed through and around the Wolfpack for 203 yards.
And the N.C. State defensive players are well aware that any chance of salvaging this season rests on their shoulders.
"[Defensive coordinator Mike Archer] told us that we are at the bottom of the pool in the ACC and really the laughingstock of the league," linebacker Ray Michel said. "Right now, we feel like we have to prove that we are a better team than our win-loss record indicates."
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