The optimist in us can point out that NC State—with eight new starters on defense—is allowing just 10 points per game on its way to a 2-0 start. Alabama, for a point of reference, led the nation last season by allowing just 11.9 points per game. The pessimist in us would note that Georgia State had a TD taken away by penalty, dropped a sure pick six, missed a field goal, and had another field goal blocked. State had similar luck against James Madison when Ben DiNucci fumbled just shy of the goal line. The Pack ended up punishing the Panthers, scoring 41 unanswered points to win going away, 41-7, but if ever a 34-point blowout was closer than the final score indicated, this was it.