Week 12 Staff Picks

Miami - NC State:

Cam: This is a game that should be tightly contested. NC State is 5-5, but has lost 4 games by a TOTAL of 20 points. With a couple breaks and bounces, the Wolfpack could easily be 9-1 at this point in time. NC State's Run Defense is among the best in the country, ranked 5th nationally and allowing only 3.00 yards per carry and 99.4 yards per game. That will be a tough test for Miami's offense, which has been better running the ball in recent weeks, but still wants to show improvement in that area.

QB Brad Kaaya, WRs Ahmmon Richards and Stacy Coley and TEs David Njoku and Christopher Herndon should be able to find plenty of room and big plays against an NC State secondary that has struggled this year. If Miami can even be decent running the ball (4 yards per carry, 110 yards and a TD), the Canes should be in good shape.

Miami 31 NC State 20

Daniel: The NC State defense will be a great test for the Miami offense. The offense has play better in recent weeks, but it will be interesting to see how they perform against a NC State defense that has held many teams under their season average in points. It comes down to the offensive line, if they are able to perform like they have in recently, the 'Canes pull this one out.

Miami 24-17

Ricky: Miami 31-17

Michael: Going on the road will test the Canes but the true narrative is with the Wolfpack. They're a senior laden team that has played up to their competition and also down as well. In this game I see the Pack playing tough and also being at home gives them an added boost.

NC State 17, Miami 13

Craig: I’m starting to believe more in what I’m seeing. And that’s a more confident and comfortable Brad Kaaya under center on the road. If the Canes can escape Raleigh with a win on Saturday, they would finish with a 4-2 road record. Certainly a big step forward for a team that has struggled to find road wins, with the team going 3-7 in true road games the previous two seasons with Kaaya under center.

While the Pack’s defense has been solid up front, a suddenly physical and imposing offensive line should help find running lanes , while Kaaya continues his late season surge. Defensively, Corn Elder’s absence from the Jim Thorpe award semifinalist list will continue to stick out like a sore thumb, and Manny Diaz’s defense will continue to make impact plays that were missing completely under D’Onofrio, as the Canes force a few big mistakes from Ryan Finley to get out of town with a double-digit win.

Miami 30, NC State 17