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FACTS & STATS: Site: BB&T Field (31,500) -- Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Television: Raycom Sports. Home Record: NC State 0-0, Wake Forest 1-0. Away Record: NC State 0-1, Wake Forest 0-0. Neutral Record: NC State 0-0, Wake Forest 0-0. Conference Record: NC State 0-0, Wake Forest 0-0. Series Record: NC State leads, 62-36-6.

GAME NOTES: NC State will travel to familiar enemy territory this weekend, meeting Wake Forest in Winston-Salem in an early season ACC clash between two in-state rivals.

Although the stakes are higher with an in-state league game this weekend, NC State's performance against FCS-level Liberty was nonetheless sharp. The defense tied a school record with seven turnovers, which was set in 1983 against South Carolina. The special teams unit also contributed a touchdown for head coach Tom O'Brien, who enjoyed his best season a year ago as NC State went 9-4 and finished second in the ACC's Atlantic Division.

O'Brien will be looking for his first ACC win of the season against a Wake Forest team that lost 36-29 in overtime to Syracuse in its season opener, after blowing a 15-point fourth quarter lead. That was following a knee injury that sidelined starting quarterback Tanner Price for the remainder of the game, as Syracuse handed the Demon Deacons a third consecutive loss in overtime. Head coach Jim Grobe has lost 30 games by seven points or less in his career at Wake Forest, and the Deacons hope it can win a fifth consecutive ACC opener come Saturday against NC State. All four of Wake Forest's previous wins have been by a touchdown or less.

NC State leads the all time series 62-36-6, but Wake Forest have won the last four in Winston-Salem.

NC State's offense took a backseat to an outstanding defensive performance, and the numbers were pedestrian: 318 yards of total offense, with junior quarterback Mike Glennon completing 18-of-31 for 156 yards and one touchdown in his first start for the school. Glennon played mistake free football, and although the offense fumbled four times and lost two (including one that went for a first quarter touchdown), the Wolfpack established the run with the one-two punch of Curtis Underwood and James Washington, who combined for 181 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

The seven turnovers created by the Wolfpack defense stole the storylines in the opener, as NC State picked off Liberty four times and forced three fumbles, one of which was returned 52 yards for a touchdown by linebacker Brian Slay. It was Slay's second fumble recovery of the day. Safety Earl Wolff had a team-high ten tackles, a forced fumble and an interception, while David Amerson added eight tackles and two interceptions. Liberty actually outgained NC State (401-318) and won the time of possession battle by nearly six minutes, but the Wolf Pack defense capitalized on turnovers in the second half, and didn't allow the Flames offense to make a trip to the red zone.

Price had Wake Forest in control for over three quarters at Syracuse, completing 18-of-31 for 289 yards and three touchdowns before going down with a knee sprain with just over 11 minutes remaining, when Wake Forest owned a 29-14 lead. Then Syracuse stormed back and won in overtime, and the Demon Deacon faithful were left to wonder if Price would be healthy enough to start against NC State, or if junior Ted Stachitas would relieve him. Stachitas was 6-of-10 for 37 yards and a pick against Syracuse, including a four-and-out in overtime. Wake Forest were balanced offensively (43 runs, 41 passes) but only amassed 80 yards rushing total. Wake Forest compiled 326 yards passing, and receiver Chris Givens had a standout day, catching seven balls for 170 yards and two scores.

The Demon Deacons held Syracuse to just 14 points through three quarters of play, but the momentum died after the loss of Price and Wake was unable to hold on for the win. Despite the loss, the overall defensive numbers weren't bad, as Wake limited the Orange to just 299 yards of total offense, including a mere 178 through the air. Safety Cyhl Quarles led the team with 10 tackles, followed closely by linebacker Scott Betros (nine).

At this point, Price's health is key for Wake Forest. But even if the sophomore signal caller plays, his sprained knee will cause limited mobility and could change the passing game, so Wake Forest will need to establish the run better this week against NC State. Not that the Demon Deacons didn't commit to the run in the opener (feature back Josh Harris gained 72 yard on 22 carries) they need to execute better and avoid turnovers against a scrappy NC State defense. Despite the seven turnovers, Liberty remained competitive with NC State through three quarters, and there is still questions surrounding the conservative nature of the offense. Advantage should go to Wake Forest, especially if Price plays.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Wake Forest 17, NC State 13