Louisiana Tech @ North Carolina State preview

Dave Doeren begins his tenure as North Carolina State head coach with a new quarterback and 11 first-year starters when Louisiana Tech visits Saturday. Doeren, who led Northern Illinois to Mid-American Conference titles each of the last two years, won't announce the Wolfpack’s signal caller - either Brandon Mitchell or Pete Thomas - publicly. Skip Holtz takes over at Tech with only eight starters returning, but tailback Kenneth Dixon is back after scoring a nation-best 28 touchdowns..

Doeren is striving for a hybrid offense that is fast-paced but also can gain tough yards on the ground when needed. The Wolfpack’s leading rusher from 2012, Shadrach Thornton will sit out the game due to a suspension, with Tony Creecy taking most of his carries. Texas Tech transfer Scotty Young gets his first start at quarterback for the Bulldogs, who led the country in total offense a year ago.

TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network, ESPN3. LINE: North Carolina State -14.

ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (2012: 9-3, 4-2 WAC): Dixon ran for 1,194 yards as a freshman last year and should get support from Tevin King, who missed all but three games in 2012 because of a knee injury. The questions for Bulldogs are how they will replace four starters on the offensive line and whether Young will be able to provide balance with the passing attack. Louisiana Tech, which moves to Conference USA, has only three starters back from a defense which allowed an average of 38.5 points last season.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA STATE (2012: 7-6, 4-4 ACC): Thomas and Mitchell, transfers from Colorado State and Arkansas, respectively, have battled since the spring to replace the steady Mike Glennon. Whoever wins the job inherits the comfort of two experienced receivers in Quintin Payton (51 catches, 798 yards) and Bryan Underwood (44 receptions, 10 touchdowns). The Wolfpack expect to be solid up front on defense, but their secondary will have to be rebuilt after several departures.

EXTRA POINTS

1. LB D.J. Green returns to the Wolfpack lineup after missing the 2012 season due to an NCAA suspension for testing positive for a banned substance.

2. Louisiana Tech DT Shakeil Lucas returned an interception for a touchdown against Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M last year.

3. North Carolina State PK Niklas Sade has made more starts (26) than anyone else on the team and averaged 6.4 points last season.

PREDICTION: North Carolina State 30, Louisiana Tech 21