David Amerson will try to shake off a disappointing performance in last week's opener. UConn coach Paul Pasqualoni is enamored with Amerson's length and ability to make plays.(beyondthecombine.com)

NC State (0-1, 0-0 ACC) at Connecticut (1-0, 0-0 Big East)

Kickoff: Saturday, noon ET (ESPN3)

Spread: NC State by 5

Watchability: The Huskies will face arguably its toughest nonconference game of the regular season, while the Wolfpack hope to rebound from a disappointing loss to Tennessee in the Chick-fil-A-Kickoff Game.

Shining stars: UConn: Lyle McCombs. The sophomore running back is coming off a sub-par performance by his standards in the opener against Massachusetts (23 carries for 82 yards). Huskies coach Paul Pasqualoni said his line must improve with their front side blocking. After receiving 275 carries in his freshman season, McCombs can carry it 35 times on Saturday if needed. It will be critical for the diminutive back to move the chains to keep the Wolfpack off the field. NC State: Quintin Payton. The Wolfpack junior wide receiver easily had the best game of his career in the defeat against the Volunteers. Payton alertly found the soft spots in the Vols’ zone several times and made a nice adjustment on a 49-yard catch down the left sideline. In Payton’s first two seasons, he finished with just 145 receiving yards combined. Last Friday, Payton nearly matched the total with four catches for 129 yards. Huskies cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson could be in for a challenge.

Who could steal the show: UConn: Trevardo Williams. Expect Pasqualoni to give Williams the green light against a Wolfpack offensive line that finished 98th in FBS last season in sacks allowed per game. In high school, Williams defeated former Huskies running back Jordan Todman in the 100-meter dash at the New England Open. Williams will need to utilize his speed rush against N.C. State. The Huskies can’t allow Wolfpack quarterback Mike Glennon to hold onto the ball and spread it to a talented stable of receivers. NC State: David Amerson. The All-American cornerback must have a short memory of his performance in the opener, when he was burned three times on touchdowns of 40 yards or more. Amerson (6-3, 194) bit on a fake by Tyler Bray on a 41-yard touchdown catch by Cordarrelle Patterson and expected safety help on a 72-yard touchdown reception by Zach Rogers. Still, Pasqualoni is wary of Amerson’s length and ability to make plays on the ball. Amerson is able to plant his foot in the ground and drive on the ball as well as anyone Pasqualoni has seen in recent seasons. With Wolfpack cornerback C.J. Wilson suspended for four games, Amerson must step up.

You going? Ranking the road trip: The Huskies drew a respectable crowd of 35,270 at Rentschler Field for last Thursday’s opener. With temperatures expected in the low 80s, it could be a great day for tailgating before the noon kickoff. There is a 30 percent chance of rain.

Magic number for UConn: 32. The Huskies must keep Glennon off the field as much as possible. In three of UConn’s five wins last season, Huskies’ opponents finished with a third-down conversion rate of 32 percent or less. South Florida converted on just 27 percent of its third-downs against the Huskies, while Rutgers kept drives alive on just 16 percent of its third-downs. In five of UConn’s losses, its opponents finished with a third-down conversion rate of 33 percent or higher.

Magic number for NC State: 3. Glennon passed for three touchdowns or more in seven games last season -- six of the seven resulted in wins for the Wolfpack. In five losses, Glennon had seven touchdowns and seven interceptions combined. In the opener vs. the Vols, Glennon was intercepted four times and had just one touchdown pass.

The game comes down to: The Huskies ability to pressure Glennon. UConn ranks first in FBS in total defense after allowing just 59 yards last week. If Glennon gets off to a hot start it could take McCombs out of the game.

Prediction: NC State 31, UConn 20

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