Instead of belaboring the point that N.C. State might play better Saturday in Greenville than their 1-5 record would suggest, East Carolina football coach Skip Holtz pointed out the differences between last year's Pirates and this year's.

Last November, ECU's defense held on furiously in the second half to preserve a 21-16 victory over the Wolfpack, which helped the Pirates clinch a bowl berth.

Saturday, ECU will field a defense that's played in pain and spent a good amount of time coughing up big yards in recent weeks, and an offense which has spurred the team to three straight wins but which has not been consistent.

Last year's win in Raleigh, Holtz said, was typical of that team, which consistently rode a quick-strike offense and a steady defense.

While this year's offense certainly seems to be heading in that direction behind the fantastic foursome of running back Chris Johnson, quarterback Rob Kass and receivers Dwayne Harris and Jamar Bryant, Holtz knows it's not as polished yet as last year's.

"When you look at the success we had against them a year ago, we got up on them because of a big play right before the half (a 53-yard touchdown pass from James Pinkney to Aundrae Allison with 4 seconds left), then we hung on, we played great defense and we didn't turn the ball over," Holtz said. "It's not like we just lined up and went up and down the field as an offense. The same from the defense. It's not like we had great success with them play in, play out."

While the Pirates (3-1 Conference USA, 4-3 overall) have had seven consecutive game weeks without a break, the Wolfpack (0-3 ACC, 1-5) had its bye week last weekend, having not played since a 27-10 loss at Florida State Oct. 6.

Holtz said with N.C. State having its week off in the middle of its schedule, it gives the Wolfpack a chance to try to hit the reset button on a season gone bad so far.

"I'm sure it's a midseason evaluation point," Holtz said. "If you're going to change something, that's normally when you do it, during the open date. I'm sure they'll have a couple wrinkles in that we haven't seen on film."

Since coach Tom O'Brien took over the Wolfpack program from Chuck Amato after last season, he's only enjoyed one win, a 38-17 decision over Wofford.

State title

Holtz addressed the notion of playing for what he previously called a state championship – trying to defeat both of the in-state schools on the 2007 schedule.

After beating the University of North Carolina 34-31 in week two, Holtz said it would be a great feat to be undefeated against two key in-state rivals.

"Because of the natural rivalry that goes between here and Raleigh because of geographical location, that's why I think it's such a great game," Holtz said.