North Carolina State @ Old Dominion preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 6, 2014 ) Old Dominion 34, North Carolina State 46

Old Dominion hosts North Carolina State in a battle of unbeaten teams Saturday, marking the first visit by an ACC football team in Monarchs history. Old Dominion sophomore running back Ray Lawry leads the nation with 438 yards on 59 carries through two games, but faces a Wolfpack defense that limited Eastern Kentucky to 35 total rushing yards last week.

Old Dominion has been leaning more heavily on its running game with redshirt freshman Shuler Bentley starting at quarterback. N.C. State’s offense is more evenly distributed as it averages 221.5 passing yards and 225 rushing. The Monarchs will need to slow Wolfpack quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who has been startlingly efficient in his senior year with a completion percentage of 84.4 through two starts. Old Dominion is in its second season as a full member of Conference USA after going 9-5 last season.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, American Sports Network. LINE: N.C. State -18.5

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA STATE (2-0): N.C. State’s defensive line starred in a Week 2 shutout of Eastern Kentucky with Bradley Chubb and B.J. Hill recording four tackles apiece. Left guard Alex Barr is day-to-day after suffering a foot injury in Week 2 and Bryce Kennedy could start in his place. Sophomore tight end Jaylen Samuels doubles as a fullback in short-yardage and goal-line situations, resulting in four rushing touchdowns on seven carries.

ABOUT OLD DOMINION (2-0): Bentley is focused on preparing for Saturday like any other game instead of thinking about who the team is facing, telling reporters: “It’s just like every week, it doesn’t matter if you’re playing N.C. State or whoever we’re going to focus on ourselves.” Junior cornerback Aaron Young has been one of the team’s top defensive performers with 16 tackles and one interception. Senior safety Fellonte Misher recorded his 200th career tackle in Week 2, moving him into third on Old Dominion’s all-time list.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Lawry and Alabama's Derrick Henry lead the nation with six rushing touchdowns.

2. Senior S Hakim Jones led the Wolfpack with five solo tackles in Week 2.

3. The Monarchs visited N.C. State in 2014, losing 46-34.

PREDICTION: North Carolina State 42, Old Dominion 17