ACC Football Future: NC State (Updated 11:30am)

General NCS Football49

As ESPN.com reviews the Wolfpack’s 2008 Football season in this entry, Dave Glenn says that after an impressive stretch run, Wilson & Pack aim to contend in 2009

With UNC flirting with an ACC championship run this year before fading in November, and with the Tar Heels talking up big plans for another stadium expansion, the Wolfpack at times has had a harder time selling its program.

That all changed, though, with a November to remember for Pack fans. In-state rivals Duke, Wake Forest and UNC went down in order to State, the latter in an especially sweet 41-10 rout at Kenan Stadium. Then State capped the regular season with an impressive 38-28 home win over Miami.

The improvements O’Brien’s team showed from the beginning of the season to the end on offense were almost mind-boggling. State was shut out against South Carolina, then needed backup QB Harrison Beck to save the day against William & Mary when an injured Wilson missed the contest and starter Daniel Evans was ineffective. At times, people wondered if State could get a first down, much less score.

By the end of the year, State fans almost were expecting a touchdown every time the offense took the field. A mobile quarterback with a strong arm, good decision-making ability and rare leadership skills can do that for a team.

Now Wilson likely will have a new task next year, as the face of a team trying to sell itself as the real program on the rise. It so happens that the pieces could be in place to back up that claim, which is why N.C. State fans are smiling this holiday season.

ESPN’s ‘review’ really doesn’t offer anything that you don’t already know. At least it is nice to see that they recognize the impact of injuries; although it shouldn’t have been too hard for the “World Wide Leader” to do a little work and provide a specific number of games lost to injury as opposed to an ambiguous description of ‘mutliple games’.

Really? Multiple games? Is that 5 games or 65 games? Do you think such a distinction would be impactful? Oh Heather.

In 2007, 13 starters missed time, including six who missed multiple games. This season, 13 starters again missed multiple games because of injuries, including quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Nate Irving, arguably the team’s top two playmakers.

In NC State’s four-game winning streak to end the season, most of the starters were back in the lineup. NC State began the season 2-4 before finishing 4-2. With everyone healthy, NC State showed significant improvement on both sides of the ball, gaining over 100 more yards per game while at the same time allowing an average of 86 fewer yards over the past six games. O’Brien became the first coach in ACC history to lose the first four league games of the season and win the last four. No other team in the ACC won as many conference games in the second half of the season.

General NCS Football

49 Responses to ACC Football Future: NC State (Updated 11:30am)

  1. Alpha Wolf 12/17/2008 at 8:54 AM #

    Once TOB gets the defense as good as the offense currently is, NC State will be able to beat nearly anyone they play. An ACC title is not out of the question, especially since the ACC is now a conference of 12 Indians and no Chief. Sorry, VT, but you’re not scaring anyone these days.

    Also, congrats to Adrian Wilson and Mario Williams for their Pro Bowl selection. They should have been joined by Philip Rivers, but apparently being one of the top QBs in the League statistically isn’t good enough.

  2. primacyone 12/17/2008 at 8:59 AM #

    Dang Alpha^

    You’re hitting the sauce a little early this morning arn’t you?!?!

  3. Sam92 12/17/2008 at 9:06 AM #

    what does all this mean for Mike Glennon? will he transfer rather than be behind Russell Wilson for three years? is he good enough that he could beat out Wilson for the starting job?

  4. primacyone 12/17/2008 at 9:11 AM #

    Any Tobias Palmer info would be appreciated as well.

  5. Alpha Wolf 12/17/2008 at 9:14 AM #

    @primacyone: nope, I meant what I said. I think that during the last month of the season, NC State could have beaten any team in the ACC and had they played that well during the entire year they would have definitely been in the mix for if not in the ACC Title game.

  6. YANCSSB 12/17/2008 at 9:22 AM #

    I doubt Mike transfers…his last name is Glennon, not Paulus. I think he’ll have at least two years to showcase himself and depending upon Wilson’s baseball draft statuses, perhaps three.

    I would caution everyone (myself included) to not expect Russell to dazzle each and every game next year like he did this season. At some point he’ll come back to the pack a bit. That doesn’t mean he still won’t be the best QB in the ACC, but I think it would be unrealistic to expect RW to perform at the level he did over the last four games of this year over the remainder of his career.

    I’m not trying to pee in anyone’s cornflakes, but let’s not start shifting Rivers’ retired jersey plaque down to make room for Wilson’s just yet.

    I do hope our defense continues to improve and can build upon the backhalf of the season and (hopefully) the bowl game win into a unit that can keep teams scoring in the 17-21 point range or below. I think if we do that, we can outscore just about any team.

  7. choppack1 12/17/2008 at 9:24 AM #

    Alpha – I’m with you on this one. NC State was playing very good football at the end of the year. We dominated 2 quality opponents at the end of the year. The only team that I think would have presented us lots of problems is GaTech.

    One thing is certain – if the Wolfpack doesn’t lose a lot in the offseason (unfortunately, it’s looking like it could be just the opposite) – we can contend for the title.

    The biggest difference will be our QB situation if Glennon hangs around – and I hope he does.

    If you look at what teams have right now AND what CAN return, we look as good as anyone.

  8. primacyone 12/17/2008 at 9:26 AM #

    ^I’m with you man. I’m with you.

    Just hard to believe you can start 2-6 and end with a team capable of competing for a conference title.

  9. Noah 12/17/2008 at 9:42 AM #

    Timing is everything. Our two best teams in recent history were in 2002 and 2003. Had those two teams been assembled last year and this year, they probably would have gone undefeated and would be playing in a BCS bowl with two ACC titles under their arms.

    But we’re a different team right now. We’re young and we’re on the rise. But, unfortunately, so are a lot of other teams.

    Still, I think next year’s squad deserves to be one of the teams that everyone talks about. If you pick us your division winner in the preseason, you might be the only one…but it’s not like you’d get laughed out of the room.

  10. old13 12/17/2008 at 9:59 AM #

    So what do you guys think of the 2009 recruiting class so far?

  11. Noah 12/17/2008 at 10:03 AM #

    I like it. There are only one or two guys who will make immediate impacts, but in three years, you’ll be seeing these guys all throughout our depth chart.

    The stars on our future squads will come from last year’s recruiting class and next year’s class. The really solid glue and the depth will come from this year’s class.

  12. primacyone 12/17/2008 at 10:08 AM #

    ^

    #1 I’m thinking we could have a lot of five year seniors six years from now. I think I like that.

    #2 They look like they were highly targeted recruits, versus just recruiting athletes. I think I like that.

    #3 I like the Ol and DL comits so far and if we get a couple of the other OL prospects we are after, we will have a OL class better than last year. I think I like that too.

  13. old13 12/17/2008 at 10:18 AM #

    Good thoughts on the class. While I’m not big on the star ratings per se, and understanding TOB&Co.’s reputation for finding and developing “hidden” talent, I’m very encouraged with all the 3-* recruits so far. I guess that with TOB’s comments when he first came aboard about the furtile recruiting grounds in and around N.C., I expected to see a few higher-rated recruits in this class, which could still happen. But once I get past that, I realize just how solid this class is potentially. Thanks for the input, guys.

  14. Mike 12/17/2008 at 10:32 AM #

    I wanted to chime in a little off topic, but since we are talking football, this seemed like a good place. I have been on the road a couple days, but when I got back last night, I read an article in the N&O about Skip Holtz.

    Holtz did NOT ask for a raise, nor did he use the Syracuse thing as leverage with ECU. As much as I cant stand those guys in purple and gold, I have gained considerable admiration for the coach. Many kudos to the younger Holtz. I hope this was a stab in the back to someone in aluminum blue…………..

  15. Scooter 12/17/2008 at 10:39 AM #

    It seems like there is a very similar recruiting philosophy between Jim Grobe and TOB — grab the lower rated recruits and make them “program” players rather than star player and keep them around for five years (including redshirt). I guess the hope is overtime that we grab some of the blue-chip recruits at the skill positions.

    While half of me dreads all the smack we’ll hear on national signing day, the other half has the good sense to know that having solid lines (and linebackers) can more than compensate for a few less blue-chip recruits. Here’s to NCSU ruining more seasons for UNC!

    Also congrats to Mario Williams and Adrian Wilson. Adrian Wilson has been dominate for an extended period of time on a terrible team. All it took was some success and suddenly he’s come good.

    A couple of points on Rivers not being selected to the pro bowl. For one thing, the pro-bowl is a popularity contest. For another, even if the pro bowl voting wasn’t a popularity contest, there is no way a quarterback from a team with a losing record would be selected over a quarterback from a team with a winning record. The Chargers have looked very shaky all season long. This has less to do with Phillip’s play and more to do with the defense and running game, but in the end it all falls on the quarterback to save the day (even in such a mess as San Diego). Frankly, I’m surprised it took Norv Turner more than half a season to ruin the Chargers. It’s kind of his MO.

  16. highstick 12/17/2008 at 10:45 AM #

    Things are definitely looking up, but I’m not claiming any titles next year prematurely. Too many other teams in the league are willing to step up and make fools of themselves so I’d prefer to just stay low on the radar screen and just keep winning!

  17. Noah 12/17/2008 at 10:54 AM #

    In 2002, we signed five guys who were four- or five-star players and they had us all excited. In 2001, I think we signed about the same number, but I don’t have access to that class right now.

    Elijah Dukes, Tramain Hall, TA Mclendon, AJ Davis, and Richard Washington. Remember how excited we were about those guys?

    Dukes never played (thank the baby jesus). Hall was a solid player and a good citizen. TA was a fumble-machine who had ONE good year. AJ Davis was solid, but never was the game-changer he was supposed to be. Richard Washington had about two good moments before getting thrown out of school.

    The real MEAT of that class was: Lamart Barrett, Brian Clark, Leroy Harris, Garland Heath, Manny Lawson, Oliver Hoyte, Pat Lowery, John McCargo, James Newby and TJ Williams.

    All of those guys were major contributors for a number of years. We’re going to land an entire class of three-star guys this year (with a couple of exceptions). It’s a class that’s going to give us good depth and solid play for a number of years.

  18. anti-smurf 12/17/2008 at 11:14 AM #

    I agree a lot with what Glenn writes. I see us as taking the next step next year (8-9 wins within reason). I’m excited bout Bowens coming back, and don’t forget Toney Baker – I have heard he is virtually good to go.

    Defense will continue to improve – lots of quality depth (at least at LB), and we’re recruiting DL well. I can’t wait to see what Terrell Manning brings over the next few years.

    I doubt we’ll see Young, Eugene or Irving leave. Willie stated he was coming back. But if they do – that will be more jerseys to consider buying.

    Speaking of jerseys – if State’s Sports Mkting dept were smart, they’ld have Addidas do replica #56 jerseys. I want one!

  19. Alpha Wolf 12/17/2008 at 11:19 AM #

    While half of me dreads all the smack we’ll hear on national signing day,

    All I care about is the smack I get to talk after game day.

    If most of us are honest, we were all looking forward to coming to work after the Carolina game.

  20. SouthernWolf 12/17/2008 at 11:38 AM #

    I agree strongly with what others have said about the ACC having “12 indians but no cheif”. I really think we are in a position to become a dominant player in the ACC for a long time to come. If we were to win our division next year and win the ACC championship we would go to a bcs game and that would give our program the legitamacy to attract all of the recruits that TOB and his staff are after.
    I think it is very possible that we could go to a bcs game next year considering the players we return at almost every position.
    Offense
    TE: Return George Bryan who is at least as good a playmaker as Anthony hill, he gets open and does’nt drop passes. Next year he will likely be stronger and a better blocker as well.
    RB: Jamelle Eugene is a do it all back. He is shifty and explosive out of the backfeild, he blocks well and catches well. Curtis Underwood looked like a decent at running back when he got playing time earlier in the year, and that was when our offensive line was playing poorly…I dont know if brandon barnes will be playing safety or running back but I bet he will be involved in some plays on offense no matter what he plays. We could see him line up as a slot back and catch passes and stretch defenses. At receiver T.J. Graham is an established deep threat who needs to continue to show improvement in his route running. If he does, he could be a legit recieving threat. If Donald Bowens returns from injury and can play close to the level he did last year then we are set at reciever. If he cannot, then we have to hope Owen Spencer learns how to catch balls.
    QB: Russell Wilson, enough said.
    OL: We return both starting OT’s and Center all of which showed improvment during the year and I think we can assume they will continue to improve between now and next year. I dont know who will play at guard since we lose both starting gaurds but we have a few guys who could be good players such as Desmond Roberts. They may move RJ Mattes to gaurd for a year though his future is at tackle. We also have recruit Denzelle Good coming in who is supposed to be an absolute beast. He could see playing time as well.
    Defense
    DL Wille Young is a stud who could improve even more by next year. Markus Kuhn is a beast who is going all the time. Reiskamp is solid and is rarely out of position. Shea Mckeen has played very well for us this year and hopefully will continue to improve. At DT Allen Michael-Cash has been very good this year, we do lose contributors at DT with Holmes and Willis graduating. Burgess has played solid when he has subbed in for Cash. I wonder what anyone thinks about Jc commit Nathan Mageo? Could he play significant minutes for us next year and be soli? We also have a 344lb DT comit who looks like he moves well though the staff may redshirt him.
    LB: If Nate Irving returns we will be set though robbie leonard will be missed. Hopefully some of those highly rated LB’s we recruited last year can step up and make an impact.
    CB: DeAndre Morgan continually improves from year to year, on the other side we will lose jeremy gray. Koyal George has had significant playing time this year so he will probobly get the start and hopefully he will continue to improve though he was fairly solid this year.
    S: We will be set at safety with Clem Johnson, Javon Walker, Jammal Simmons, and Justin Byers all returning.

    This is not the roster of a Florida or an Oklahoma, but with the coaching we have, it could be a roster to win the ACC title.

  21. Cosmo96 12/17/2008 at 11:41 AM #

    When Mike Archer was hired as DC, the knock on him was that his defenses played “bend but don’t break”, and a lot of people chose to dwell on that. It was also mentioned, somewhat less frequently, that his defenses had a tendency to force a lot of turnovers. I think that particular aspect really manifested itself toward the end of the season, when our players started getting healthy.

    Now, if that trend can continue into next year, coupled with Russell’s ability to take care of the ball on offense, it will win us a whole bunch of games. Everyone who’s paid attention to football for any length of time knows that if you win the turnover battle, you typically win the game. During the last four games, we took pretty good care of the ball and forced the opponents to turn it over. It’s as simple as that, and it seems to be inversely related to the amount of injuries we had.

  22. wufpup76 12/17/2008 at 11:42 AM #

    If things are still looking up for next season when it rolls around, hopefully the players will keep their collective heads on their shoulders and their feet on the ground …

    Nothing like a little “we’re final four material” to be the precipice of a meltdown

    Something tells me that TOB won’t let that happen

  23. StateFans 12/17/2008 at 11:42 AM #

    You cannot underestimate the impact of the young studs we have matriculating into the offensive line next year in addition to improvement of skill position players (WRs) through maturity, experience and the addition of Donald Bowens and Tobias Palmer.

    The remaining ‘keys’ to a BIG 2009 are:
    * special teams
    * a couple of our redshirted linebackers to emerge
    * a little more help on the DLine

  24. SuperStuff 12/17/2008 at 11:55 AM #

    >Holtz did NOT ask for a raise, nor did he use the Syracuse thing as >leverage with ECU. As much as I cant stand those guys in purple and >gold, I have gained considerable admiration for the coach. Many kudos >to the younger Holtz. I hope this was a stab in the back to someone >in aluminum blue…………..

    I actually took that not asking for a raise as an indication Skip did not want his current contract renegotiated with a bigger buyout clause like what happened to Rich Rod at WVU.

    We definately look to be a very solid team in 2009. I can’t wait for us to insert some of those redshirt freshmen into our line-up next year.

  25. Noah 12/17/2008 at 12:50 PM #

    I do not believe that Tobias Palmer will be eligible next year, no matter how well he’s done academically. He’s still transferring in from a JUCO. Even if he still has three years of eligibility left, he’ll have to redshirt next year.

    I think.

    Wasn’t that what we learned from Tramain Hall’s situation?

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