11/21/2008

Associated Press

Line: North Carolina by 11.

Series Record: North Carolina leads 63-28-6.

Last Meeting: 2007, N.C. State, 31-27.

What's at Stake

North Carolina still has a slim chance to win the Atlantic Coast Conference's Coastal Division, but it has to win out. N.C. State faces a similar situation in one respect: the Wolfpack can't lose if it has any hope of getting to a bowl game for the first time since 2005.

Key Matchup

N.C. State QB Russell Wilson vs. North Carolina's front seven. Wilson has played well of late and his mobility helps him to extend passing plays. The Tar Heels' defense has been among the national leaders in turnover margin and will want to keep Wilson confined to the pocket or bring him down on a sack when it has the chance.

Players to watch

N.C. State: RB Jamelle Eugene. Eugene had a huge game with 159 yards and three touchdowns in last year's win. He has been part of a solid 1-2 rushing attack with Andre Brown.

North Carolina: WR Hakeem Nicks. Nicks has made himself a candidate for ACC player of the year with 911 yards receiving and eight touchdowns. Nicks set the school's career receiving yardage record earlier this year.

Facts & Figures

North Carolina's starting quarterback will be a gametime decision. Coach Butch Davis has opened the job between former third-stringer Cameron Sexton and former starter T.J. Yates. Sexton has won four of six starts since Yates went down with an injury in September. ... It is the second matchup of Davis and N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien at the rival schools. They were hired within a month of each other. ... The Tar Heels already have secured their first winning season since 2001 and are trying to improve their bowl standing. ... N.C. State LB Nate Irving, sidelined nearly four games by injury, has returned and tallied 11 tackles last week. ... Wilson has thrown nine touchdown passes with no interceptions in the past five games.