NC State Football: 3 Bold predictions vs Pitt in Week 7

2. Nyheim Hines records his third consecutive 100-yard rushing game

Nyheim Hines emergence as a serious offensive weapon has been a pleasant surprise for the Wolfpack in 2017. After losing lead back Matthew Dayes, and his 1,809 total yards from scrimmage, to the NFL draft following the 2016 season, the Wolfpack has been hungry for a player to fill their lead back role, and so far, Hines has been all that and more.

Hines, a four-star recruit from North Carolina, has actually performed better than his predecessor so far in 2017, with an impressive 513 rushing yards on 100 carries and five touchdowns so far this season.

His inside-out running style has given Dave Doeren’s offense an incredibly balanced attack, and has alleviated the need for starting quarterback Ryan Finley to have to win games solely through the air. In Week 7, Hines could have an absolute field day against Pitt’s 75th ranked rushing defense.

Pitt has given up an average of almost 165 rushing yards per game over the first six weeks of the season, while also giving up 10 touchdowns to opposing runner. Which is bad news for them, but music to the Woldpack’s collective ears.

In what could very well be a blowout victory for NC State in Week 7, Nyheim Hines, who’s averaging a respectable 85 yards per game in 2017, could cross the century mark for the third consecutive game this season and take the next step in his development as a player.

As the Wolfpack look ahead to national games against Notre Dame and Clemson in the forthcoming weeks, don’t overlook Hines’ potential to run wild against the Panthers in Week 7.