NC State’s defense was an absolute disaster on passing downs last season, and how they show up in Week 0 against UVA might just decide their entire season vibe. Seriously, we’re talking about a defense that had a havoc rate that stunk, was awful on a per-play basis, and from an EPA perspective it was just ugly. The whole thing was brutal. This isn’t just some casual Week 0 kickoff, this is a massive test for a unit that needs to flip the script immediately.
State’s Defense Has to Get Mean in a Hurry
Look, UVA’s skill position players aren’t exactly setting the world on fire, and with Beau Pribula at quarterback, the ceiling for their offense is pretty low right now. I’m not even sure Pribula lasts long as the starter. But here’s the thing: if those guys on UVA’s offensive line give Pribula four seconds every time he drops back, he’s gonna start looking like Joe Montana out there. That’s how bad NC State’s defense was last year, and that’s the risk they run if they don’t fix it. The battle between UVA’s offensive line and State’s defense is honestly the only thing that really matters in this game. Can they generate consistent disruption or will Pribula get all the time in the world? We need answers, like, yesterday.
CJ Bailey: Time to Deliver
And then there’s CJ Bailey. The pressure on this guy is immense right now. Everyone knows what kind of player Bailey is and what he can be, but he’s being paid big bucks to deliver, and Week 0 is his biggest game yet. He’s got a brand new bunch of receivers to work with, which means he’s gonna have to improvise a ton for State to have any offensive success. There will be breakdowns, there will be misunderstandings, and he’s going to need to fix a bunch of stuff in the moment to keep those chains moving. This isn’t just about good plays, it’s about being the guy who keeps the whole offense from stalling.
Dyson and Aguirre: The Defense’s Last Hope?
On the defensive side, a lot rests on Harvey Dyson and Popo Aguirre. NC State is counting on both of them big time. They’re both high-floor guys, which is great, but the real question is if they can be good enough to make the defense substantially better. Aguirre specifically has a ton of work ahead of him, and if he ends up being a clear difference maker, that seriously changes expectations for the whole defense. The margins for success on this unit are razor-thin. If either Dyson or Aguirre have an off day, or worse, if either gets hurt, that’s just extremely bad news for the whole squad.
This isn’t just Week 0, it’s a statement game. If State’s defense can lock down and Bailey can deliver, this team could surprise everyone. If not? It’s going to be a long season for NC State fans. We’re watching this one like hawks to see what kind of team they truly are.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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