GAME NOTES: ACC foes and state rivals will collide in Chapel Hill on Saturday, as the 25th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels take on the NC State Wolfpack.

The goal for NC State is simply, win the final two regular season games and earn bowl eligibility. The Wolfpack, who are 4-6 overall and 2-4 in conference, have won their last two outings to spark confidence among the players and fans. Last weekend, they showed a great deal of heart in a 21-17 triumph over Wake Forest.

As for North Carolina, it lost a crucial game at Maryland last weekend by a 17-15 final, and that setback halted a modest two-game win streak. The Heels had aspirations of winning the ACC title and appeared to be a front-runner to do so, but the loss to the Terps put the team on the outside of the title picture. UNC is 5-1 at home and figures to enter this rivalry game with plenty of confidence despite the recent disappointment.

North Carolina holds a commanding 63-28-6 series lead over NC State, but the Wolfpack won a thriller over the Heels last season by a 31-27 margin.

NC State is a confident and therefore dangerous team with Russell Wilson at quarterback. Against Wake Forest last weekend, the versatile signal caller threw for 152 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 69 yards and a score. Sure, he didn't complete a high percentage of his passes, but Wilson did not throw an interception, and the offense made good on 9-of-16 third down conversion attempts. At 5-11 and 189 pounds, Wilson is considered undersized for the position, and the redshirt freshman is also considered too young and inexperienced to lead a major conference team to success, but he continues to make plays and defy odds. "Russell Wilson is able to get first downs," said coach Tom O'Brien after the game. "Hes great on his feet and hes smart about throwing the football. He's good at forgetting about a bad pass and he's able to move on to the next play."

NC State is averaging just 20.3 ppg this season and 301.1 total ypg, numbers that aren't going to scare many opponents. Still, since taking over control of the offense on a full-time basis, Wilson had made foes respect the Wolfpack for their offensive ability. The rookie quarterback has completed 55.2 percent of his passes for 1,270 yards and 12 touchdowns against one interceptions. He has also run for three scores. There is not a star-caliber player at tailback or receiver, making Wilson's accomplishments all the more impressive.

In the first half against Wake Forest, NC State yielded a pair of touchdowns, one of which capped a 91-yard drive. Fortunately, the Wolfpack played much better in the second half, surrendering only a field goal. "I give credit to our whole defense," said O'Brien. "They bought into the coaches mantra of finishing a play and getting ready for the next one." NC State did allowed 240 passing yards, but the defense permitted only 98 rushing yards in the tilt. Opponents are posting 27.5 ppg against NC State, which is giving up 405.1 total ypg.

The Wolfpack are surrendering 249.8 passing ypg and have yielded 16 passing touchdowns. They are also being run on for 155.3 ypg and 4.4 yards per attempt. There is room for improvement on third down, as foes are making good on 42 percent of their conversion attempts. Keep an eye on Willie Young, as he has registered eight TFLs, including 4.5 sacks.

North Carolina is averaging 29.2 ppg this season and 323.6 total ypg, and the 30 offensive touchdowns scored by the team have been split evenly between the run and the pass. The ground attack hasn't exactly been potent, however, as it is generating only 126.6 ypg and 3.6 ypc. As for the passing game, Hakeem Nicks is the go-to guy on the outside. He has made 53 catches for 911 yards and eight touchdowns, and he is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. The man entrusted with getting the ball to Nicks is Cam Sexton, who took over as the club's full-time starter midway through the season. Sexton has completed 55.6 percent of his passes for 1,230 yards and nine touchdowns against four interceptions.

UNC managed just 75 rushing yards against Maryland last weekend, and while the Heels did pass for 210 yards, Sexton completed only 10-of-24 passes with an interception. The lone touchdown scored by the offense came on a pass from Sexton that hung up in the win, was tipped and landed in the hands of a receiver who had gotten behind the defense. Overall, the performance of the offense simply wasn't good enough. every time Carolina had an opportunity our defense responded

North Carolina has only posted 15 sacks this season, but the team has registered an impressive total of 25 takeaways, including 18 interceptions. The Heels have been tremendous against the pass, holding opponents to 9.8 yards per completion and nine touchdowns in 10 outings. The run defense has been solid as well, surrendering just 3.8 yards per attempt. Bruce Carter has registered eight TFLs for UNC, and Trimane Goddard has tallied six interceptions.

Last weekend against Maryland, the North Carolina defense permitted the Terps to march down field in 19 plays to set up the game-winning field goal. During that drive, Maryland converted three third downs and one fourth down to break the hearts of the Heels, who allowed 336 total yards and 27 first downs in the contest. They did permit 195 rushing yards, although it took Maryland 53 attempts to reach that mark. "We just couldn't get them off the field on the final drive," Paschal said. "We haven't been great on last drives this year. We held them to a field goal, which is somewhat of a positive. But we couldn't turn it around at the other end."

Give an edge to North Carolina, as it has been strong at home this season. The Heels are eager to erase the memory of last weekend's painful defeat.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: North Carolina 24, North Carolina State 20