NC State football will face its toughest nonconference test when Texas Tech rides into town.
The Red Raiders are coming off a 33-30 double-overtime win over then-No. 25 Houston and will be the Wolfpack's first Power Five test after wins over ECU (21-20) and Charleston Southern (55-3).
No. 16 NC State (2-0) will host Texas Tech (2-0) at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday (7 p.m., ESPN2).
Here's what to know about the matchup:
Injury Report
NC State coach Dave Doeren said after last week’s win that both linebacker Payton Wilson and defensive back Shyheim Battle would return to the starting lineup after sitting out against Charleston Southern.
Wilson missed most of NC State's Week 1 win against ECU with an upper-body injury that looked to be another potential season-ending injury for the redshirt junior. Battle suffered a minor injury against ECU and was replaced by Aydan White.
While the Wolfpack will get some talent back from injury, uncertainty remains on the other sidelines.
First-year Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said Monday that the availability of starting guard Weston Wright won't be determined until late in the week.
Wright, who has 33 career starts, suffered an ankle sprain in the second half of Saturday's game against Houston and didn't return.
Cornerback-return man Adrian Frye's availability also will be a late-week determination. Frye suffered a bruised quadriceps in the season opener and was limited to return duty against Houston.
NC State transfer Malik Dunlap took his place on defense.
McGuire said he expects Krishon Merriweather to be ready to go Saturday. The Tech middle linebacker suffered a hyperextended knee on Houston's touchdown in the first overtime. He added that receivers Chadarius Townsend and Jordan Brown (high ankle) and defensive end L.B. Moore (hamstring) are returning this week.
Special relationship between Doeren, McGuire
In 2003, when Doeren was an up-and-coming linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator at Kansas, McGuire was a first-time high school head coach at Texas powerhouse Cedar Hill, located just south of Dallas.
It was Doeren who helped sign Cedar Hill wide receiver Marcus Herford at Kansas, McGuire's first Division I recruit as a high school coach.
But what Doeren remembers most is the pregame meal McGuire served him before he took in a Cedar Hill game one Friday night.
"He had the best chicken fried steak and gravy that you've ever had," Doeren remembered fondly during Monday's press conference. "I remember crushing that with him. He's a good dude and he'll have his team ready to play."
McGuire also spoke about their friendship this week.
"We've been friends ever since," he told local media this week. "He (Doeren) flew me to Wisconsin, and I spoke at their clinic. We've kept (in touch with) each other. He was one of the first people to text me whenever I got this job. Just a class act."
OC Tim Beck will call plays from above
Doeren said Monday that he expects to keep offensive coordinator Tim Beck in the press box instead of the sideline for the immediate future.
The sudden move came after a too-close-for-comfort Week 1 win against ECU in which the offense was held scoreless in the second half of a 21-20 victory.
No. 16 NC State finished with 538 total yards and 32 first downs on 82 total plays against Charleston Southern.
"He liked it," Doeren said. "He felt like he could see it, and it will be something we continue as a positive all the way around."
How good is Tech QB Donovan Smith?
Smith was named the Big 12 offensive player of the week for his performance against Houston, and deservedly so.
The sophomore backup quarterback, playing in place of the injured Tyler Shough, completed 36 of 58 passes for 351 yards and two touchdowns and showed flashes of brilliance with his feet.
Smith, though, has been mistake-prone in his five career starts and threw three interceptions last Saturday. He was also sacked five times. NC State’s defense has forced one sack after two games and four interceptions.
NC State vs. Texas Tech prediction
NC State 31, Texas Tech 21: The Wolfpack defense will be the key in this victory, causing turnovers that will lead to short scoring drives for the offense. Texas Tech is good, but NC State is better.
David Thompson is an award-winning reporter for the USA Today Network covering NC State and Duke athletics. He can be reached at [email protected], at 828-231-1747, or on Twitter at @daveth89.