A Season to Remember

'08 Football Fans Tom O'Brien100

Russell Wilson

NC State closed out the 2008 regular season with a convincing 38-28 win over Miami. The team that (for September and most of October) looked as if it could be one of the all-time worst Wolfpack squads turned out to be one of the most memorable. Clemson’s thumping of South Carolina means that 10 ACC teams will be eligible for 9 bowl slots. That said, it’s unfathomable that no bowl would want this NC State team.    We’ve already read that the EaglesBank bowl in DC is considering the Pack, and they had to leave Carter-Finley Stadium impressed with the Wolfpack team that they saw.

Consider the following:

  • NC State became the first team in ACC history to start 0-4 in conference play, and finish at .500. The 4 game ACC winning streak is the Pack’s longest since 1992.
  • Russell Wilson’s freshman season stats: 16 TDs passing, 4 TDs rushing, 1 INT. If justice is done, he is your ACC offensive POY. It would be a travesty if Wilson is not 1st team all-ACC. If he doesn’t win conference ROY, there should be a Congressional investigation. I am now ready to say, without reservations, that Russell Wilson is a better college QB than Philip Rivers. He is an absolute sensation. I’d take him over Tim Tebow right now. If we can hold back the MLB scouts, we are absolutely looking at a future Heisman candidate.
  • In its last four games, NC State has won three blowout/convincing victories (the Duke and Miami games looked closer in the box score due to a late garbage time TD, cutting the final margin to 10.
  • IIRC, NC State still has 5 current or former walk-ons in the two-deep, including today’s starter at safety (for the injured Clem Johnson). How many BCS conference teams (even of the 2-10 or worse variety) can say that?
  • Nate Irving is an absolute beast. He has transformed an awful defense into a espectable one. I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen a single player mean so much to a defensive unit. You could say he’s the defense’s Russell Wilson. If not for the injury time, he would be your ACC defensive POY.  Look for Nate to play in the NFL.
  • Tom O’Brien gets my vote for ACC Coach of the Year. I would have been impressed if he had just managed to keep the Wolfpack playing hard all year, and he got us bowl eligible against a very difficult schedule. He is the right man at the right time for NC State.
  • NC State will finish no more than one game behind the participants in the ACC title game. Don’t be surprised if the Pack is playing in the first week of December next year, or in 2010.

Add it all up, and this is a team that any bowl would be lucky to have. For all the tweaking we give him, ACC Commish Swofford actually does a good job making sure our eligible teams get bowl slots, especially the ones that hold up their end of the bargain and sell tickets. I am strangely confident that he will help find a very nice game for NC State.

About BJD95

1995 NC State graduate, sufferer of Les and MOC during my entire student tenure. An equal-opportunity objective critic and analyst of Wolfpack sports.

'08 Football Fans Tom O'Brien

100 Responses to A Season to Remember

  1. GAWolf 11/30/2008 at 10:32 AM #

    BAC79: You’re assuming one major fact with your statement above: all of our coaches are knowledgeable, credible, potentially productive coaches at the collegiate level. If you assume that, then I understand your point that if all of our teams listened to their coaches they could all turn their respective ships around.

    I’m not sure we can take that leap, though it would be nice.

  2. old13 11/30/2008 at 10:33 AM #

    While the Pack’s final regular season record is certainly not what we Wolfpackers would ultimately like to see, the way they got there is astounding! A few weeks ago I didn’t see us winning another game after Bill & Mary and USF. But the way the season went after that, and especially the kids not quitting, certainly makes this a cornerstone season in the rebuilding of the program. TOB & Co., of course, deserve much of the credit. But so do the kids! And those returning in 2009 will have an entirely different attitude from the teams before TOB. BTW can’t true freshmen play in bowl games without burning their redshirts? If so, we may get somewhat of a preview of the 2009 team if we can get to a bowl. In any case, congratulations to 2008 Wolfpack football!

    Other thoughts:

    Yesterday the ACC was 3-1 against the SEC – how many times has that happened!

    I think that trying to compare PR and RW is not realistic. Their styles are completely different. PR remains the second leading passer (in total yards) in NCAA D1 history, was the 4th pick in the NFL draft and is starting on Sundays with a very high rating in the NFL. Just think what PR could have been at NCSU if he had plaayed for four years under TOB with a stable coaching staff and well-coached supporting players who, BTW, had a lot of talent! RW will probably never see the NFL draft – at least not as a QB. But as a college QB he is superb. And as far as what he does for the team as a whole, he and PR are on the same level there. I’m just glad that both of them came to Raleigh!

    The ACC should be a beast next year as there are so many young teams in the league this year. FSU, for example, starts so many freshmen, especially in the OL, that it’s mind-boggling to think what they can be in the future. Miami’s in that same boat. And there are a number of freshmen who have seen the field this year for the Pack.

  3. tvp1 11/30/2008 at 10:39 AM #

    Agree 100% with BJD on the perverse stupidity of the NCAA rules.

    Here is your simple rooting guide for this week:
    Right now, once slots are filled up with 7-5 WAC and MAC teams, there will be one at large spot left for a 6-6 teams. The available major teams are us and Notre Dame. I’ll let you guess who wins that one.
    So we need either…

    Arizona to beat Arizona State (this frees up another spot somewhere because ASU would be 5-7. We almost definitely get this slot); AND/OR

    Louisville to beat Rutgers. It’s complicated, but if Rutgers loses, then Rutgers, Lou, and ND are all 6-6, and one of them (i.e., Notre Dame) can take a Big East bowl spot. That would leave us fighting Rutgers and Louisville for an at large, and I like our chances there.

    If neither of these comes to pass, then we are screwed unless Swoff buys off the Sun Belt for one of their spots in the Independence or Papa John’s bowls.

    We got NO help yesterday. Several WAC teams won to get to 7 wins. A couple of CUSA teams won to get to 6 wins and fill up all of their contracted spots.

  4. cowdog 11/30/2008 at 10:53 AM #

    Last post on the bowl stuff and I’ll give it a much needed rest.

    First, Clemson has 6 bowl eligible wins, not 7.

    With ACC tie-in bowls, only those teams with 2 or more BCS wins than the the last eligible teams must be selected for an ACC bowl game before said others. In this case, Clemson and State.

    For ACC tie-ins, there are no automatics for

    Wake, Maryland, Miami, Clemson and State.

  5. GAWolf 11/30/2008 at 10:54 AM #

    Well that makes colllege football fun for one more weekend (at least) for us Pack fans. It’s nice to be even remotely relevant. I forgot what it was like to even care about other games… in either sport…

    Thursday night we can watch Louisville beat Rutgers on ESPN and Saturday the Arizona/ASU game is on either ESPN or ESPN2 6 PM (Mountain).

    Fun… fun.

  6. Wolf Dog 11/30/2008 at 10:58 AM #

    ACC ended up looking very strong as a conference overall. Last day of the season and we go 3-1 vs the SEC. Impressive.

    Beamer is COY. I think there is no doubt especially if he wins ACC championship game. Suppose to have been a rebuilding year in Blacksburg.

    Wilson is best player in ACC right now, but missed couple of games and did not play entire season. I think that will regulate him to Rookie of the year.

    If Clemson and UNC go before Meinke Car Bowl picks, then I feel that is where we will play. We may get picked over UNC but not Clemson. Clemson is guaranteed cash for a bowl.

    Now we can all hope Santa puts wilson in our stocking for another year. Clemson keeps its Intern coach. Virginia keeps Al. Bowden doesn’t retire.

  7. BJD95 11/30/2008 at 12:22 PM #

    The unfortunately named Luke DeCock is on the “Wilson for POY” bandwagon.

    Here’s how I break down Rivers vs. Wilson:

    Leadership: Even
    Accuracy: Rivers
    Arm Strength: Wilson
    Descisionmaking: Wilson

    Russell Wilson as a freshman made better decisions than Philip Rivers as a senior. That’s what truly sets him apart, IMHO. His football IQ is off the charts. It doesn’t surprise me one bit that his grades are very good.

  8. Daily Update 11/30/2008 at 12:32 PM #

    LRM: Read the wording of that rule. It addresses conference affiliated bowls quite clearly.

    The ACC has 10 bowl eligible teams and 9 of those have at least a 7-5 record. So according to that rule no 6-6 team can be selected before every team 7-5+ team is selected. There is nothing in there about it only addressing at-large berths.

    We may still go the DC bowl, but it is far from a done deal at this point.

  9. Wulfpack 11/30/2008 at 12:49 PM #

    When we go on to win a couple of conference championships in the next few years, we can point to these last five games as the program’s turning point. TOB is one HELL of a coach and RW is the future of the program. I really think LF ought to be hard at work to ensure we can lock TOB up b/c you can bet there are going to be some suitors, no question about it. Whether or not we play in a bowl game is not what is important to me, though it would be nice to get the extra practice time. The program is clearly headed in a very promising direction and I don’t think you’ll be seeing us picked dead last in our division next year — far from it.

  10. highstick 11/30/2008 at 12:59 PM #

    We’ll never get picked over UnC. Swofford won’t allow it plus that would destroy the image of the “sleeping giant”~

  11. beowolf 11/30/2008 at 1:07 PM #

    I can’t add any praise that BJD and others haven’t thought of already, so let me just say I can’t remember the last time I was THIS proud of an NC State football team. I think they taught us all life lessons about perseverance, and that’s saying something.

    To think, after starting 1-5 and having many people thinking they might not win another game, that now we’d be (a) comparing the QB to PR, Jamie Barnette, Joe Hamilton and Charlie Ward and (b) arguing over whether TOB is COY … well, I’ll take it.

    This season, I’ll always remember the team coming back from the dead, the incredible play of RW and Nate Irving in lifting their team units to high levels, a sweep of the in-state teams even when three were ranked (and both ECU and UNC had visions of grandeur before we cold-cocked them), a final, never-say-die victory over Miami to qualify for a bowl bid and send the seniors off in high style, and also, in SFN’s words, the “Dick Sheridan-style”:

  12. cowdog 11/30/2008 at 1:12 PM #

    Please Daily Update,

    Once again, Clemson is a 6 game winner. Only 1 FCS win counts towards bowl eligibility. Clemson has 2.

    Now,the following are the rules that govern ACC tie-ins selection.

    1. Conference champ to the Orange
    2. #2 team automatic to one of 8 remaining tie-ins.
    3. Any team with 2 or more wins better than the remaining eligibles must be assured of a game. In this case BC,FSU,VT,GT and UNC must go before State and Clemson.

    That means that there are 4 remaining ACC tie-in games to be filled by 5 teams regardless of record. It is open season for the selection of MD,Wake,Miami,Clemson and State for at least 4 ACC bowls.

    The rules governing the 7-5 over 6-6 are for at-large bids and don’t reflect conference contracts.

    Once again, only 1 FCS win is counted toward bowl eligibility. I haven’t put the research in regarding any other team at 7-5 to see if more than 1 FCS win is in their record, But Clemson damn sure has 2.

    I know I said I was done with it, but I lack self control.

  13. choppack1 11/30/2008 at 1:35 PM #

    A few thoughts:
    1) You’ve gotta love the NCAA. In their minds, 7-5 in MAC, WAC, Sunbelt, whatever, is > 6-6 in SEC, Big 10, ACC, or Big 12. This, of course – is patently absurd. And here’s where our useless media comes into play. They SHOULD call the NCAA on this crap. Of course, they spend so much time bashing the big conferences and pumping up the little guy, that they really can’t do this. This is the classic case of “controlled outcomes” creating unintended consequences.

    What is truly pathetic is that if this were basketball – which has less posts than football per Division 1A school – we’d have a better shot at the opening because they actually try to look at who does deserve it more. So what you’re talking about at the end of the day, is that a team who played the 3rd most difficult schedule in the country, a team that played 10 games against teams w/ winning records, and a team that was 4-0 whenever they were able to start and finish w/ 3 key players is probably staying home.

    2) This crystalizes one of my complaints about Swofford: The guy is rarely ahead of the curve on ANYTHING. This is yet another case where someone else thought of something – “what happens to our conference if these other bowls can’t fill their conference tie ins? What can I do to make sure my conference can take advantage of that?” I know Swofford figured that since he has as many bowl-tie ins as any conference that he thought the conference was set. Well, it wasn’t. Sorry John – it appears you were out-manuevered by the Sun Belt who did a better job in that key area of “what else can I do to represent ALL of my schools?”

    3) Saying that this current bowl system would be eliminated by a playoff system is just wrong. Also, keep in mind, this current system is the “original” system or even the system most of the bowls wanted – but rather it has been bastardized by the “fairness police” of the NCAA – who seem to have the same selective moral outrage as another large, ethically challenged body – the UN.

  14. Scooter 11/30/2008 at 1:42 PM #

    Before we get all bent out of shape about the bowl prospect situation, we should take a moment to smile about the fact that we can even have the conversation. Moment over.

    I was at the game yesterday and our team looked strong against a decent Miami team. Russell Wilson looked like a genious under center. In the first half, he couldn’t find anyone open downfield, so he took to the field on his legs and had 79 yards rushing at the half (while Andre Brown had ~70 and Eug had ~60). He took several sacks in the second half that knocked his numbers backwards, but his rushing succeeded in opening up the pass coverage and he was able to break the Miami defense in such a way. Brilliance was in the house.

    Speaking of Wilson, it is far too early to compare him to The Golden One. Though he is our future legend, these are two very different quarterbacks.

    For a rainy and cold holiday weekend, the crowd was surprisingly strong as well. If any bowl scouts were watching, despite our record we should get some help for that. If anyone watched the WFU game, the stands were completely empty before half-time in a tiny stadium. The bowls are in the business of making money, al la selling tickets, so being able to 85% fill our stadium from start to finish on such a horrible day should give us a boost.

    Bowl eligibility was the last thing on our minds about four weeks ago, so to be at this point is a quite an achievement for our team and coaching staff. The real value for us would be less the bowl game itself (though that would be helpful) than the two extra weeks of practice.

    The last four games of this season have me really excited about next year. Big congrats to all of the guys. Now, lets get Fowler off the couch and into Swafford’s office!!!!

  15. BoKnowsNCS71 11/30/2008 at 1:42 PM #

    Nice to see everyone upbeat now. Might be good for some to think about their comments in the Archives from earlier in the season when people were starting to doubt TOB and the team.

    Nothing solves that negativism problem better than winning but as good fans we need to start being more positive that our program is being built
    by good hands and that long term progress often builds slowly. Next year will be better and the year after that — much better.

    And we need to extend that same trust to our basketball team. There is nothing that the Pack haters love more than coming to our own site and and watching us beat up on ourselves. (Having read the UNC Forum after the 41-10 game — that was sure fun to read).

  16. Daily Update 11/30/2008 at 2:20 PM #

    cowdog: Clemson is not considered a 6-6 team. They have a winning record, so they would also go ahead of us according to that NCAA rule.

    I am sure something will be worked out, but right now it is about as clear as mud.

  17. cowdog 11/30/2008 at 3:50 PM #

    Clemson is not considered 6-6. However, it is the win total that counts. They have 6.

    Here is a chart that should clear the waters and cease the hand wringing.

    ACC Bowl selection order
    1. Orange-Champion
    2. Peach ( can’t force myself to call it Feather something.)
    3. Gator
    4. Champs
    5. Y Music City
    6. Y Meineke
    7. Y Emerald
    8. The Blue Field
    9. EagleBank

    # If a bowl does not select a team with the best available ACC record, it must choose a team within 1 conference win of that team

    Y After Champs selects, these bowls submit their preferences. If all can be accomodated, the selections stand. If not, they will pick in order.

    Thus sayeth N&O of 11/25

  18. b 11/30/2008 at 5:12 PM #

    I can’t say I blame Swofford for not maneuvering as the Sun Belt commish did. I would actually say the bowl committees that made that agreement are likely kicking THEMSELVES for doing so.

    Afterall, if they hadn’t they may have had a shot at Notre Dame, the golden calf to all Bowl games.

    I’m confident we will get an invite, but I’ll still pull for the scenarios you guys mentioned so that the bowl is as attractive as possible.

    While I maligned them earlier, Clemson actually benefits us in negotiations. Swoff can leverage their fantastic fanbase to get us into one of the tie-in bowls. I think the rules apply to us as a 6-6 team not going in front of a 7-5 WAC or MAC team to an at-large spot. In this case the tie-ins that the SEC, Pac-10 and Big Ten can’t fill. But I don’t believe the rule states a 7-5 team can’t be chosen from our conference over one of those conferences leaving a tie-in spot for us. Thus Clemson to the Independence or Motor City and State to the Eaglebank.

    Even if it means being sent to Boise and blown out in a glorified home game for the Broncos it will ultimately benefit us. And I don’t think redshirts can play even a single play in a bowl game without damaging their eligibility. But they can participate in practice and travel with the team to the bowl game, often RSs don’t travel during the season but are taken along on the bowl trips as a reward. Both of which are invaluable opportunities and will benefit them and the program greatly.

  19. jpmichaels 11/30/2008 at 6:08 PM #

    This team made me so proud yesterday by sealing the deal against Miami. It takes a dedicated group of players led by a ROCK SOLID group of coaches to go from 2-6 (which included some heartbreakers) to 6-6. I honestly don’t know many other teams that could have had the mental toughness to accomplish that feat. We didn’t win 4 straight against bad teams either.

    Congrats to Andre Brown and the other seniors that stuck with the program despite some tough times. I really wanted yesterday’s win for those guys.

  20. choppack1 11/30/2008 at 9:27 PM #

    Me too. Now I want a bowl game for them. Hey, first .500 ACC season since 2004.

  21. Greywolf 11/30/2008 at 10:35 PM #

    I’m already educated 3 or 4 years past my intelligence, so I’ll pass on bowl discussion except to say my wife and I just changed our Christmas family plans to clear the calender for the Eagle Bowl in DC.

    UNChoke 😉 fans are pretty upset about us blowing up their Chicken Bowl opportunity.

  22. tractor57 12/01/2008 at 6:05 AM #

    I hope there is a bowl game in the offing both as a reward for the players and on a more mercenary level the added practice time.
    TOB might not be the “perfect” coach for the Wolfpack but I think he’ll do just fine!
    A big congrats to the team as a whole (players and coaches) for once stepping forward during a tough season.

  23. highstick 12/01/2008 at 1:43 PM #

    Off topic, but this is a bit “over the top” for a die hard State fan like me.

    http://www.motormouthsounds.com

    Wonder what the Tarhole version would sound like?

    1. PIne trees growing
    2. The sound of a corkscrew and cheese “being cut”
    3. Hansborough willing something to happen?
    4. The “kiss in” at the Pit?

  24. highstick 12/01/2008 at 1:43 PM #

    ?

  25. FredandDwight82 12/03/2008 at 12:43 PM #

    I am finally getting caught up after a very good Thanksgiving, so I apologize for the late post…

    gopack1975 and ChiefJoJo, Philip Rivers was MVP of EVERY bowl in which he played – even the Tangerine Bowl we lost to Pitt! (Hard to see any other player at any FBS school matching this accomplishment by winning a Bowl MVP all 4 years…)

    From biography on Chargers.com:

    “Rivers’ collegiate totals at N.C.State included a 3-1 mark in bowl games. He was a five-time MVP in bowl games, including the 2004 Senior Bowl.”

1 2 3 4

Leave a Reply