North Carolina State: Dave Doeren is in his fourth season at NC State and after a 3-9 first year, he's led the Wolfpack to back-to-back bowl appearances in 2014 and 2015. NC State averaged 30.2 PPG in 2014 and last year upped that to 33.2 per game. He's handed the offensive ‘keys' here in 2016 to new offensive coordinator Eli Drinkwitz, who learned the ropes under Gus Malzahn and was the OC at Boise State last year. Arriving along with Drinkwitz from Boise St. was QB Ryan Finley, who is a graduate transfer. Finley finished 17-of-21 for 174 yards with two TDs in NC State's 48-14 win over William and Mary, while senior RB Matt Dayes added 138 yards on the ground with two scores. Doeren has most of his own recruits in play now in Year 4 and just maybe, he can get improved play from a defense which has allowed 30.2, 27.0 and 25.8 PPG over the last three seasons.

East Carolina: The Pirates have pretty much been bowl regulars with 15 appearances since 1991 and entered last year with eight bowl trips in the previous nine years. However, the team went just 5-7 and Ruffin McNeill was relieved of his duties, even though he had led East Carolina to four bowls in five years prior to last year's losing record. Taking over in 2016 is Scottie Montgomery, who began his coaching career at his alma mater (Duke), where he served as the wide receivers coach for four seasons (2006–2009). Montgomery was then hired by the Pittsburgh Steelers in February of 2010 as the new wide receivers coach. He remained with the Steeler organization for three seasons. He returned to Duke as associate head coach and offensive coordinator in 2013 and Duke averaged 32.8, 32.4 and 31.5 PPG the last three season. East Carolina named Montgomery its head coach on December 13, 2015, replacing Ruffin McNeil. Montgomery got his head coaching career off to a rousing start as East Carolina blasted Western Carolina 52-7 in the season opener last week.

The pick: ECU has a new QB in Philip Nelson, who made 16 starts in two seasons at Minnesota. Nelson was 28-for-32 passing and tossed TD passes to four different players (had five in all) while setting a career high with 398 yards. RB Anthony Scott carried 11 times for 120 yards, leading a rushing attack which gained 275 yards on 7.2 YPC. The Pirates' 688 total yards of offense was its most since a 70-41 victory over North Carolina in 2014 and as noted already. NC State sure looks as it has plenty of offensive talent as well. These schools last met when ECU went into Raleigh and posted a 42-28 victory back in 2014 and Wolpack RB Dayes told reporters: "We remember what they did to us, so we're going to try to return the favor this weekend." The Over is an 8* play.