In the second half of this season, we’re going to find out how far a disruptive defensive front can carry an NC State team with a banged up secondary and an iffy offense. Over the last two games, that front has done everything it can: eight sacks at Florida State, and another eight sacks against Syracuse.
NC State has 26 sacks, which ranks fifth in FBS, and is two behind Ohio State, which is tops in the category. Penn State, Virginia, and Pittsburgh have 27 sacks apiece.
The Pack’s recipe for success defensively is obvious enough: play stout run defense to force opponents into obvious passing downs, then let that defensive front tee off.