A new perspective on Wolfpack-Heels rivalry.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

RALEIGH, N.C. _ It's a rivalry, it's a conference game, it's all of that. Still, four mornings ago, this game looked rather lousy.

North Carolina against N.C. State, Saturday, at Carter-Finley Stadium? Four mornings ago you could have confidently named your score_a nice, big number next to the Wolfpack, and a smaller one alongside the Tar Heels.

N.C. State 31, UNC 14? Sounds about right.

That was only four mornings ago. But North Carolina throttled No. 6 Florida State 41-9 Saturday afternoon. And N.C. State struggled to beat what looked to be a bad Southern Methodist team, 26-17, Saturday night.

Now, UNC at N.C. State ``is going to be a …