Wake Forest @ North Carolina State preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 10, 2011 ) North Carolina State 27, Wake Forest 34

ACC rivals clash with bowl eligibility at stake as North Carolina State hosts Wake Forest on Saturday. The Demon Deacons have won two of their last three, including a 28-14 decision over Boston College last week, while the Wolfpack has lost two straight to North Carolina and Virginia. Each team is seeking its sixth win of the season, with the victor becoming bowl-eligible.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, RSN, ESPN3.com. LINE: North Carolina State -9

ABOUT WAKE FOREST (5-4, 3-4 ACC): The Demon Deacons reaped the benefits of a rejuvenated Michael Campanaro, who tied an ACC record with 16 receptions, including a career-high three touchdown catches, for 123 yards against Boston College. This was Campanaro's second game back after missing a pair with a broken hand. Quarterback Tanner Price set career marks for completions (39) and pass attempts (57) - both ACC highs on the season - while surpassing 6,000 yards for his career. The Wake Forest defense was also a force last week, forcing four Boston College turnovers.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA STATE (5-4, 2-3): The Wolfpack defense has been uncharacteristically porous of late, yielding a combined 76 points in its last two games. In five wins this season, N.C. State has averaged 12.4 points allowed, compared to 38.75 points against in its four losses. The Wolfpack has had next-to-nothing in terms of a rushing game of late, averaging 48 yards on the ground over the last four games, while three straight opponents have eclipsed 200 rushing yards and four straight have seen at least one player rush for 100 yards or more.

EXTRA POINTS

1. N.C. State leads the series 62-37-6 and Wake Forest has won only five of 23 meetings at Carter-Finley Stadium.

2. Wake Forest kept the Boston College defense on the ropes last week, tying a school record with 13 conversions on third down.

3. The Wolfpack is 14-3 at home since 2010 and has shown resiliency in that time frame as well with a 10-2 record following a loss.

PREDICTION: North Carolina State 24, Wake Forest 20