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College Football 2019: 5 teams that will be on upset alert in Week 7

By Dante Pryor

PISCATAWAY, NJ - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs onto the field with his team before taking on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at HighPoint.com Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs onto the field with his team before taking on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at HighPoint.com Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 31: The North Carolina State Wolfpack takes the field for a game against the East Carolina Pirates at Carter-Finley Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 31: The North Carolina State Wolfpack takes the field for a game against the East Carolina Pirates at Carter-Finley Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

In a battle for the bottom of the ACC, the Wolfpack are 5 point favorites in this game, and for good reason. Not only have the Orange swung and missed against every Power 5 opponent this season they’ve been outscored 104-26 in those two games. Which means I’m completely off the rails picking this as an upset, right?

Well — in my Lee Corso voice — “Not so fast my friend!” Those scrimmages against Holy Cross and Western Michigan gave new starting quarterback Tommy DeVito time to get comfortable with the offense in real-time, and continue to develop comfort with his receivers. Clemson is by far the best defense they’ll face this season, and that is no disrespect to the Wolfpack pass rush.

Not only that, the Wolfpack quarterback situation is a mess. That’s great news for a defense that isn’t very good at, well, playing defense.  Bailey Hockman gets the start at quarterback this week while former starter Matthew McKay is demoted to third string. How long of a leash does Hockman have if he struggles?

The Wolfpack defense has been susceptible to the passing game at times as well. They gave up over 300 yards to the Ball State Cardinals — yes, they have a football team, just go back to the ACC power rankings. It’s been feast or famine in passing situations for the ‘Pack, and the Orange like to toss it around the yard. If they can give DeVito time to throw, NC State might be in trouble.

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