You aren’t looking below the features! But, we expected it. Yesterday we linked a couple of entries below the three top features – Russell Wilson and Polling – that didn’t seem to attract many views. I’m guilty, too. I missed it. It will just be something to get accustomed to. We told you in last week’s Bytes:
We want to call your attention to the fact that the top three ‘featured’ articles will not always be the most recent articles posted to the site. The three (or two, or one) “Features†at the top of the page will generally be the more important entries…however, they will not necessarily be the newest entries – therefore, requiring you to scroll the entirety of the front page to insure that you are not missing anything that interests you. We will actively manage the three “Features†between a balance of ‘newness’ and ‘importance’ and hope that you will/can grow accustomed to checking below the features for other entries of interest. We would really like to evolve to where readers are actively participating in multiple entries at one time as opposed the community’s historical behavior of primarily focusing on one entry at a time.
Now…on to some Bytes:
- Tip of the hat to Yet Another who highlighted the update of Carter-Finley’s most recent renovations. The article focuses on the removal of the crown from C-F’s turf, but I am more interested in the renovations to the East Side and East Side restrooms. Can someone chime in
- HD has highlighted the better defensive ends in the ACC for 2009. Willie Young lead the list. I could not be happier that Willie came back to school for his senior year. I hear he is a great guy. I saw him three or four times around the hotel in Birmingham at the PapaJohns.com Bowl and
Willie Young, NC State: Nobody on the Wolfpack’s roster has more experience than Young’s 1,667 snaps. He led the team with 26 quarterback pressures last season, and led in tackles for loss (12.5) and sacks (6.5). Young now ranks 11th in school history with 31.5 career tackles for loss.
- Just thinking about Willie and the defensive end position. It’s interesting to me that the biggest play from an NC State defensive end for the entire 2008 season was not turned in by Willie, but was turned in Shea McKeen when he sacked ECU’s James Pickney from the blindside to cause a turnover in overtime. But, Willie was most definitely around the play as he scooped the fumble and was a threat to return it 75 yards for a touchdown but a Pirate player happened to have been right there to make the tackle. Had Willie had a couple of steps then Andre Brown would have never had the chance to punch that touchdown.
- Virginia Tech has been receiving a lot of love on the national/regional college football chatter as of late. One of the prevailing theories is that VPI, considered a legit Top 10 team, has a manageable schedule that may play out in a way for the Hokies to reach the BCS Championship game. If history is a guide, then VPI could be set up for a big one.
Last season, eight of the top 10 teams in the final Associated Press poll began the season with at least 65 combined career starts by their offensive linemen, including title-game participants Florida and Oklahoma. Two of 2008’s biggest surprises, Utah and Ole Miss, had more than 80 starts of experience, enabling them to improve dramatically on offense. Conversely, Georgia, Missouri and Clemson — three preseason top-10 teams that disappointed — were green up front, with fewer than 40 starts each.
Teams returning the most offensive-line starts? Virginia Tech and Notre Dame both have 100. Also, they both have relatively easy schedules. The Hokies only have to face Alabama in the opener, and then host Nebraska, which is why we’ve been bullish on Virginia Tech since the season ended in January.
Notre Dame has an easier schedule, with a week two trip to Michigan as its most challenging road game. The Irish could be unbeaten when USC comes to town Oct. 17.
After VT and ND, Texas returns 91 offensive line starts, FSU 86, and Michigan 75. The worst? Oregon (20), West Virginia (25), Oklahoma (29), Penn State (39), and Alabama (50).
- If the season truly plays out well for VPI, then NC State will be in quite a position of national attention the next to last week of the season during our trip to Blacksburg for a November 21st battle with the Hokies. And, if Joe Giglio’s prediction is even on track to become true, then that match-up may be one of the biggest late season games for the NC State program in history.
- Continuing the what if here. What if Giglio’s prediction does come true? There would be a real possibility that NC State and Virginia Tech would meet two times in span of three weeks on the gridiron as the two teams could meet again for the ACC Championship game. Wow. (Oh to dream!)
- Ron Cherry has been highlighted at EDSBS. I always love when fans from all backgrounds – not just NC State – come to identical conclusions based on shared experiences.
ACC official and game-speed-retardant Ron Cherry begs to differ
Ron Cherry likes it like my ex: Slow and ineffectual.
With lots of stoppage time and false starts.
Lastly, football season is 99 days away.
