NC State football wraps up its regular-season slate Saturday with a home matchup with archrival UNC-Chapel Hill. While this has been a terrible season for the Tar Heels, they’ll have plenty of motivation for this game. Technician caught up with Daily Tar Heel Sports Editor Chapel Fowler for some perspective on this week’s opponent.

1. It’s no secret to anyone that follows ACC Football that this has been a horrific season for UNC. What’s gone wrong?

Injuries have been a factor, but I think sheer loss is the biggest thing. Entering the season, UNC was returning somewhere around 4 percent of its total offense from the year before. No matter how much players stepped up, it was going to be hard to replace what Mitchell Trubisky, Elijah Hood, T.J. Logan, Ryan Switzer, Bug Howard and Mack Hollins produced last season. Many media members, me included, thought the defense was going to step up in a big way. The defense did not do that. Combined with a much less dynamic than hoped offense and fourth-quarter struggles, UNC’s ended up 3-8 (with a few games the team probably wishes it could have back).

2. How did the team bounce back to win its last two games?

The last two games have been like discount version of what served the team so well in 2015 and 2016. The defense, although allowing some big plays and points along the way, forced turnovers and came up with opportunistic sacks and third-down stops. And the offense, led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Nathan Elliott, was more consistent and dynamic. The run game was working, and that opens things up for any football team. Special teams play, something Larry Fedora has always emphasized, was strong, too.

3. With not much left on the table for the Heels, how much motivation is there to beat NC State and ruin the Pack’s season?

Fedora said he would treat it like any game on schedule during his Monday press conference. But he also said that some of his players have decided to treat this game as their “bowl game.” To end the season on a three-game win streak would be huge for UNC. And, of course, it’s a rivalry game. Regardless of records, that makes both sides care a little more.

4. Who are some key players to watch for Carolina?

On offense, I’d watch for freshman running back Michael Carter and redshirt sophomore wide receiver Anthony Ratliff-Williams. Carter had 94 yards and two touchdowns in his first career game. In his four games with 10+ carries, he’s racked up 422 of his 530 total rushing yards and seven of his eight total touchdowns. In other games, he’s gotten less touches and disappeared, though.

Ratliff-Williams is a converted quarterback who has emerged as UNC’s No. 1 wide receiver with Austin Proehl’s injury. People call him the best athlete on the team, and UNC has really unleashed his potential in the last few weeks with some gadget plays he’s thrown on. He has 499 receiving yards and 860 kick return yards this year, and he’s accounted for nine TDs (five receiving, two kick return, two passing).

5. What’s your final score prediction for this one?

NC State is more than capable on both sides of the ball. I think the game will stay close until the third quarter, and the Wolfpack will pull away at that point. I’ll go with a 37-21 final score prediction in favor of NC State.