NC State has dramatically increased their presence in the state of Georgia since Tom O'Brien arrived in Raleigh about two months before the 2007 signing day. The Pack inked linebacker Thomas Barnes from Dublin (Ga.) High in that class, and then in the next three recruiting classes have signed 15 more players from the Peach State.

None of them though may be experiencing a truer homecoming this Saturday than sophomore center Camden Wentz. The Marietta-native played his high school football about 25 minutes away from Atlanta at Lassiter High. So far Wentz estimates he has about 40 people coming to Saturday's game at Georgia Tech.

"Everyone I know I think wants to go to the game," Wentz noted. "I think they went through GoPack.com or something like that and brought some tickets because there was no way I was going to get that many through my teammates."

In fact Wentz noted that he did not get many tickets through his teammates.

"We have a lot of guys from Georgia, and a lot of guys have family in the area, so a lot of guys are using up their tickets," Wentz said.

Wentz has seen first hand multiple times the environment at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta. He remembers going to a game as a child while George O'Leary was the coach of the Yellow Jackets and they were playing Wake Forest. He also went to a couple of games as a senior as the friend of a coach's son.

"They are definitely passionate about their football there," Wentz noted. "It's not very big, but it's loud. They are going to be excited, so the players will be excited."

Wentz has adjusted nicely to becoming a full-time starter on the offensive line. He was a rare true freshman performer at center last season, logging 67 snaps in five games. He almost matched that total in the season opener against Western Carolina alone when he played 62 downs. He allowed a sack in the opener, but he has not given up one in the 145 snaps over the past two contests.

"I'm feeling very good," Wentz said. "I have gotten into the scheme of things, and I have gotten comfortable out there. I feel like it's a part of who I am now. It's not new anymore, and that's pretty good to me."

Saturday will be the first time the offense has faced a 3-4 defense. Georgia Tech made the switch when new defensive coordinator Al Groh arrived in Atlanta this past offseason. Wentz though thinks the offense will handle the schemes well.

"It's different because it's four linebackers instead of three, but every week we play against odd defense," Wentz said. "Our own defense runs odd, 3-4 on third downs and stuff like that, so it's nothing new. They just run it all the time than a substitution package.

"It doesn't really change a whole lot."