Keys to the Game Friday, November 22, 2013 By Kevin Monroe

East Carolina at N.C. State
Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013 • 12:30 pm
Carter-Finley Stadium (cap. 57,583)
TV: ACC Network

By Kevin Monroe
©2013 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.

East Carolina steps out of conference this week to play rival N.C. State. The Pirates (8-2) are playing well and headed for a postseason berth, while the Wolfpack (3-7) is struggling to avoid its worst season since finishing 3-9 in 2006. But don’t let the teams' relative fortunes to date sway your opinion of how competitive this game will be. State is a worthy opponent and this matchup has all the makings for a great game. The Pirates will need to play solid football and execute the following assignments to prevail:

MAKE THE ROUTINE PLAY

The East Carolina offense has exploded over the last several weeks, averaging 52 points per game and winning four straight since a 36-33 overtime loss at Tulane. The Pirates' only other defeat was by a 15-10 margin in a September defensive battle against Virginia Tech. East Carolina's current four-game win streak is a result of the offense clicking on all cylinders and the defense doing its part as well.

Quarterback Shane Carden has been successful piloting the offense through the air and on the ground, with the Pirates taking what each of these last four opponents has given them. Against the Wolfpack, Carden can’t afford to make errant passes and the receivers can’t have dropped balls. Blocking assignments in the running game and passing game will be of the utmost importance. It only takes one mistake to change the momentum of the game.

BE WARY ON KICK COVERAGE

One of the few things the Pirates have struggled with this season is covering kicks, especially kickoffs. State has a very good return man in Rashard Smith. The Wolfpack is averaging 17.6 yards per kickoff return and 14.6 yards per punt return. ECU cannot afford to concede the field position advantage to the Pack on special teams — or even worse, give up a touchdown return. Several defensive starters are on the Pirate kickoff coverage team and they must take pride in not letting opposing offenses benefit from their miscues.

The Pirates have strategically opted to sky kick or squib kick a few times this season. If covering kicks becomes problematic on Saturday, expect them to deploy that tactic again.

PRIZE THE FOOTBALL

This is a key that I often emphasize because, frankly, it’s the most important key every week. Rarely do teams win games against opponents that win the turnover battle. If the Pirates give the ball away, State will accept the gift and is good enough to convert it into points.

The Pack has lost six straight games but has been close in each of those losses outside of the Florida State game. On the season, State is only -1 in the turnover category, which means it has matched its foes almost turnover for turnover. Regardless of the relative strengths of the teams, mistakes by the Pirates can change the complexion of the game and can be hard to overcome.

BOTTOM LINE

The ECU offense has imposed its will against Conference USA opponents over the last month. However, it’s no secret that the level of competition in C-USA is not on the same level as that faced by the Wolfpack in the Atlantic Coast Conference. State's lack of success is as much a credit to its competition as it is an indictment of its shortcomings. The Pack is a better team than the record indicates.

The Pirates must make the routine plays, cover kicks on special teams and protect the football if they want to prevail on Saturday. If they do those things, they are good enough to win this game.

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PAGE UPDATED 11/22/13 06:37 AM.