Enjoying 3-0

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The walk out of Carter-Finley back to the Trinity Lot is a lot more enjoyable after a win.

Sure, that seems obvious, but with all the pronged “reviews” going on over at The Flagship lately, it’s been easy for us tortured State fans to overlook the fact that TOB has this NC State football team playing well and at 3-0 for the first time since 2002.

And while 14 days ago I was cautiously optimistic, and seven days ago I was even more so, on that walk out last night I decided to just revel in the enjoyment that this team might just be better than the previous ones. Sure, Western was a slouch – certainly no James Madison – and Central Florida only needs to get past Houston or those pesky Pirates to play in the Liberty Bowl, and even last night we didn’t face Brian Kelly’s Bearcats. But that’s not a bad Cincinnati team at all – and they showed that with how quickly they scored their first touchdown.

I’m not saying we’re the class of the ACC – Clemson can sure make a strong case down at Auburn and Maryland can do the same at West Virginia this weekend – but I have been impressed so far with how much improvement we’ve seen in both the intensity and execution on defense, and how quickly our offense finds its rhythm. We kept pressure on Collaros all night long with various blitzes and an overpowering defensive line that led to five sacks and four hurries, and minus the two junk touchdowns late in the game, the defense was as stingy as it’s ever been under TOB. Our offense has rarely been the problem with Wilson at the helm, but now it looks like we’ve found a running back in Mustafa Greene to not only help balance out the slicing passing attack that utilizes five different threats, but also provide that safety valve for Wilson when he’s forced to unload in a hurry. When that offense is in rhythm, it’s a thing of beauty to watch.

How about we just not talk about the kicking game?

The past six months have been a whirlwind of optimism. We have a new Chancellor that appears fully capable of leading us forward. We replaced a woefully incompetent AD with a wholly capable one. We have the most talent on our basketball team in two decades. And we’re 3-0 in football, with a tough but very winnable game at Georgia Tech next weekend.

I could get used to this.

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About LRM

Charter member of the Lunatic Fringe and a fan, loyal to a fault.

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34 Responses to Enjoying 3-0

  1. LRM 09/18/2010 at 9:58 AM #

    We’ll only play Duke or Miami if we meet them in Charlotte.

    So far, the risk has been worth the reward. Besides, it’s not as risky to blitz when you’re executing well and making plays when it matters.

  2. tractor57 09/18/2010 at 11:10 AM #

    When you add that high risk/high reward defense to an offense that can score points rather than a plodding ball control offense it makes a great combo.

    Certainly livens up the game.

  3. McCallum 09/18/2010 at 11:18 AM #

    A point of reminder: I expected Tech to give UGA fits back in 2002 the year they beat us in Raleigh. UGA came out and threw the long ball on Tech all day.

    51-7 final score.

    I expect a team that throws a timing pattern on State to have a good bit of success.

    McCallum

  4. tractor57 09/18/2010 at 12:20 PM #

    If they can handle the blitz yes and make the short quick timing throws successfully. If the blitz disrupts the timing no. As Alpha said – high reward/high risk.

    Given an offense that can score the risk gets smaller because one or two plays will not make a difference in who wins.

    One thing is for sure we will not stop the other team with a soft cover 2 – or in my words a pervert defense.

  5. Greywolf 09/18/2010 at 12:33 PM #

    Great comments all the way down. My 2 cents worth:
    Criticism after a win is easier to take than criticism when your team is down. Sometimes a big win has your team thinking too highly of themselves. Both wins and loses need to be gotten over before starting preparations for the next game. I’m trusting TOB to know what he is doing.

    I think that we are running up the middle after having success running outside because we need the work running up the middle. We need game film of a live opponent to see what needs correcting. Yes, Russell Wilson and his aerial circus is exciting but so is ramming the ball down the opponents throat. I like to win by scoring a lot of touchdowns, but honestly I’d like to physically beat the shit out of Carowhina — mutton stew for the wolf.

    Long in the tooth; gray on the roof.

    Greywolf

    Go Pack!

  6. packplantpath 09/18/2010 at 6:59 PM #

    McCallum is dead on, but who in the acc has that kind of QB? GT could get interesting, but not because of the long pass. No ACC QB has impressed me yet, except TJ Yates, and in his case it’s not that I’m that impressed with his play, I’m impressed he hasn’t been picked off yet.

    His decision making appears better, but I expect him to start making bad decisions again as soon as a team starts putting pressure on him. So far, he has had little pressure. He will certainly make a big deep pass or 3 against us, but I don’t think it will matter since I expect we will get a few picks.

  7. packplantpath 09/18/2010 at 8:55 PM #

    Hmmm, clemson may have that qb. Looking good so far.

  8. McCallum 09/18/2010 at 11:29 PM #

    Clemson will knock State on their a$$.

    But a massive case of narcissism is breaking out in that I have never been to a State/Clemson game in Death Valley and seen State lose. 1993, 1997, 2002 and now I have tickets for the game down here this year.

    Bad news though, wife made a plan to go to Disney. I hate Disney, I hate Florida except for the beer joints in Bay County and now I have taken a stand in the name of NC State in that I WILL NOT GO TO DISNEY!!!

    McCallum

  9. EdMar 09/19/2010 at 9:09 AM #

    Team is looking better every week, great halftime show, great weather, only bad thing was the NCDOT paving at night near the I40/I85 junction (down to one lane). Got home to the Winston-Salem area at 2:30 AM. Those Thursday night games are rough on those traveling in.

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