Georgia State @ North Carolina State preview

North Carolina State did enough in its season-opening victory over James Madison, and while hosting Georgia State on Saturday does not figure to pose much more of a challenge, the team still is defining roles after losing seven players from last season’s nine-win squad. The Wolfpack received a tremendous performance from Jakobi Meyers in last week’s 24-13 triumph, as the wide receiver set career highs with 14 receptions and 161 yards.

“A lot of positives and a lot of negatives, lot of things to work on,” N.C. State coach Dave Doeren told reporters on Monday, “but a lot of things we were excited about.” Quarterback Ryan Finley passed for 309 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, marking the 11th time in 27 career games he surpassed 300 yards. There are strides to be made for the team on defense, however, as the Wolfpack - who gave up 24.8 points per game last season - surrendered 365 yards and 23 first downs against James Madison. The Panthers, who won a bowl game for the first time in school history last campaign, defeated Kennesaw State 24-20 in their season opener.

TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, FS South, ACC Network. LINE: N.C. State -25 ½

ABOUT GEORGIA STATE (1-0): Quarterback Dan Ellington sparked a late rally in his first start for the Panthers, throwing the game-winning touchdown pass with 41 seconds left, and finished with 187 yards passing and three TDs, as well as 77 yards rushing. Wide receiver Penny Hart led the Sun Belt in receiving yards last season (1,121) and was 11th in FBS in yards per game (93.4). Hart caught five passes for 46 yards and a touchdown in the season opener.

ABOUT N.C. STATE (1-0): Running back Reggie Gallaspy Jr., who finished second on the team in rushing each of the previous two seasons, rushed 17 times for 68 yards and a touchdown in the opener, but the Wolfpack gained just 83 yards on the ground. Linebacker Germaine Pratt led the defense with 12 tackles, including six of the solo variety. One pleasant surprise in the season opener was redshirt freshman wide receiver Thayer Thomas, a former walk-on who returned a punt 40 yards and caught a 16-yard touchdown pass.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Meyers earned ACC Receiver of the Week honors for his efforts last Saturday despite playing with a sprained left ankle.

2. N.C. State has won 11 consecutive home games against non-conference opponents.

3. The Panthers are 0-7 all-time against Power 5 conference teams.

PREDICTION: N.C. State 44, Georgia State 14