South Carolina at N.C. State n Carter-Finley Stadium 7 p.m. ESPN

The expectations for N.C. State fans are running high and they will be put to the test tonight when the Wolfpack hosts South Carolina in the season opener with a national TV audience watching.

The Pack was stung by a 34-0 loss in Columbia, S.C., to open the 2008 seasons but played much of that game with quarterback Russell Wilson, who went on to become a first-team All-ACC selection.

Back in time

South Carolina was the first team N.C. State played when it moved from its on-campus digs at Riddick Stadium to Carter Stadium 43 years ago. The Gamecocks prevailed 31-21 in that game, but since then the stadium has undergone a name change along numerous additions and improvements.

Back in time, again

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier was the quarterback for the Florida Gators in 1966 when they played in the second game ever played at Carter Stadium. The Gators were ranked No. 8 at the time but barely escaped with a win, and Spurrier went on to win the Heisman Trophy. Spurrier went on to have more visits to Carter-Finley Stadium during the 1980s as the coach at Duke.

ACC vs. SEC

There is no doubt that a lot of people consider the Southeastern Conference the toughest football league in the country. Tonight’s N.C. State-South Carolina matchup will be the first of seven skirmishes between members of the two leagues during the 2009 season. A year ago, the ACC got the better of the SEC, going 6-4.