Surviving the Wolfpack: How Notre Dame Can Tame NC State
- Brenden Duffy
- Oct 7
- 5 min read
(Left) Photo via NC State Athletics; (Right) Photo via Notre Dame Athletics
This Saturday afternoon, the 16th-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish hosts 4-2 NC State. The Irish look to extend their win streak to four as College Football Playoff hopes are in the air in South Bend following an upset-filled weekend. The Wolfpack were able to get back on track with a dominant win against Campbell following back-to-back ACC losses to Virginia Tech and Duke.
Here are some early-week keys that Notre Dame could take advantage of this weekend:
Pressure CJ Bailey
It is not a shocker that Notre Dame’s defense has looked better the past few games, given their pass rush has improved week-over-week. After posting just one total sack in their first two contests, the Irish have racked up nine sacks across the past three games.
This will be another key against NC State QB CJ Bailey. The talented passer is at his worst when under duress, completing 29/50 attempts with four touchdowns; however, all four of his interceptions have also arisen from pressure.
NC State’s offensive line has been pretty good so far as a pass-blocking unit, but their weakness is at RT with Teague Andersen, who has allowed a team-high 14 QB pressures this year. I really like matching up Irish DE Boubacar Traore, who has 3.5 sacks this season, against the struggling OT. Otherwise, throw him off with some exotic packages and stunts that will leave the lineman confused.
Gang-Tackling Rushers
The Wolfpack offense, led by Bailey, prefers to pass, but they are certainly a capable rushing team with the QB and starting RB, Hollywood Smothers.
At 6-6 and 213 pounds, Bailey is tough to bring down once he gets going. He has taken off 40 times for 78 yards and three touchdowns. Additionally, he has forced nine missed tackles and has seven carries of 10 or more yards. NC State will also, occasionally, bring in backup QB Will Wilson on goal-line scenarios where he has three scores. The Notre Dame defense will have its hands full trying to tackle these strong and capable rushing QBs.
Simply put, Smothers is a beast. He is currently averaging 4.72 yards after contact per carry and has forced 32 missed tackles. Defenders are rarely able to bring down the RB one-on-one. See my next key for more on Smothers:
Contain Hollywood Smothers
As just mentioned, once he gets going, Smothers is tough to bring down. His five carries of 40 or more yards are tied for the most among FBS rushers.
Notre Dame’s run defense will need to have a repeat effort from this past weekend against Boise State, where they allowed just 100 yards on 2.9 yards per carry. It was a good bounce back after a rough outing against an Arkansas offense that put up 158 yards on 5.3 yards per carry. Overall, the Irish are allowing a modest 3.62 yards per carry but will need to replicate their Purdue and Boise performances against a potentially dangerous rush attack.
Physical Coverage
NC State’s pass-catchers have been reliable for the most part this season, and it starts with starting wideouts Terrell Anderson and Noah Rogers. This strong-handed duo has combined for just two drops (one by each) across 46 targets. Both are capable of beating defenses in a variety of ways, whether it be over the top or off a screen that turns into a big gain. While Anderson has the better numbers, I think Rogers may be the more talented of the two, as he has come down with four of his five contested catch attempts. The return of Irish CB Leonard Moore was huge last week, but he will be tasked with a tougher assignment this Saturday. Physicality will be key; do not let these receivers even touch the ball in coverage, otherwise, they are likely going to come down with it.
Additionally, NC State’s top target is its TE Justin Joly. I discussed the Wolfpack’s receiving threat in the preseason as a top player on the Irish schedule this season, and he has fit the bill so far. Notre Dame has not exactly been locking down opposing TEs so far, specifically against Purdue, Arkansas, and the final Texas A&M touchdown play. This does not bode well against, in my opinion, the best TE the Irish will go against this year. I think Chris Ash and the Irish defense may have to live with Joly getting his production. In my opinion, you are better off letting the TE beat you rather than the two underrated WRs out wide. For reference, Joly has 28 receptions for 256 yards and three touchdowns this season, including at least four catches in each game.
Air it Out
My final note relates to the Notre Dame offense, which is averaging the 13th-most points per game (40.8) and 25th-most pass yards per game (283). QB CJ Carr should be able to let it fly this weekend against a depleted Wolfpack secondary, allowing 243.2 yards per game (99th among FBS programs).
Before NC State’s week one contest was finished, they were already down three DBs with season-ending injuries. In addition, the Wolfpack were without three other DBs last week against Campbell due to injuries: Brody Barnhardt, Jackson Vick, and JJ Johnson. Keep an eye on any NC State injury updates throughout the week.
If these three are unable to go, I would attack redshirt freshman Jivan Baly, who not only made his first start last week, but it also marked his first defensive snaps of the season. He played solidly against a lowly Campbell squad, allowing just two catches for 20 yards across five targets. Another DB I would go after is Ronnie Royal III, a redshirt freshman Safety. He is, arguably, the worst cover DB on this team, having allowed 16 catches for 211 yards and a touchdown across 20 targets this season. Royal has hauled in one interception and has recorded one pass breakup.
With a run game as dangerous as Notre Dame’s, establishing the pass can lead to the big runs later in the contest. NC State has allowed three carries of 60 or more yards this season, the most among FBS teams. Watch for Jeremiyah Love or Jadarian Price to break a big one this Saturday.
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