North Carolina State @ Boston College preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 9, 2010 ) Boston College 17, North Carolina State 44

THE STORY: North Carolina State gained confidence from its shutout victory over North Carolina last Saturday. The Wolfpack hope that carries over as they move toward securing a bowl bid with three games left, starting at struggling Boston College. N.C. State has won three of four, keyed by an improving defense that has a nation-leading 19 interceptions. David Amerson has a single-season school record nine picks, most in the country. Boston College has lost four of five and hopes to avoid losing eight games for the first time since 1995. The Wolfpack hammered the Eagles 44-17 last season in Raleigh, but BC won the previous three.

TV: ACC Network. LINE: N.C. State –2.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA STATE (5-4, 2-3 ACC): Linebackers Terrell Manning and Butkus Award candidate Audie Cole join Amerson as players to watch on defense for the Wolfpack. N.C. State managed just 13 points against North Carolina, but the running game showed improvement as James Washington rushed for 110 yards. Quarterback Mike Glennon threw his 20th touchdown pass, which places him second in the ACC. T.J. Graham, who has 543 yards receiving, may be due for a breakout game. Graham has been limited to 10 receptions for 115 yards the last five games.

ABOUT BOSTON COLLEGE (2-7, 1-5 ACC): The lone bright spot this season has been Luke Kuechly, also a Butkus Award finalist. The senior linebacker leads the nation in tackles, averaging 16.7, and is nine short of 500 for his career. Kuechly has double-digit tackles in 31 straight games. Redshirt freshman Josh Bordner played some at quarterback against Florida State in place of Chase Rettig and he could get more time this week. Rolandan Finch rushed for 243 yards in the victory over Maryland two weeks ago, but had just 59 yards and fumbled twice last week.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Graham needs 55 yards to become the alltime ACC leader in kickoff return yardage.

2. Boston College’s streak of 12 straight bowls will end this year.

3. Tom O’Brien, who coached 10 years at Boston College before going to N.C. State in 2007, is the alltime leader in wins among B.C. coaches (75).

PREDICTION: N.C. State 28, Boston College 7 – The Wolfpack have too many weapons, led by Graham and Glennon.