Monday Musings

'11 Football ACC Teams College Football50

October 10, 2011

NC STATE FOOTBALL

JP GIGLIO (N&O)
Rested, healthy Pack expects strong finish

After N.C. State’s 38-24 win over Central Michigan on Saturday, an official from the Belk Bowl congratulated Wolfpack coach Tom O’Brien at the Murphy Center after O’Brien’s post-game news conference.

“I hope you guys get on a streak here,” the Charlotte bowl official said.

O’Brien, whose team improved to 3-3 with the win, didn’t hesitate in his response.

“We will,” the coach said.

That’s what the Wolfpack needs after an injury-plagued start: a second-half surge. With a week off, the Wolfpack gets some time to heal before a trip to Virginia on Oct. 22.

N.C. State got two defensive starters back from the injured list for the win over the Chippewas, but it was still missing three defensive linemen and running back Mustafa Greene.

The Wolfpack needs to get healthy to get back to a bowl, and in the final six games – all against ACC teams – N.C. State needs four wins to return to a bowl game.

“The week off is going to be huge for us,” said defensive tackle Brian Slay, who missed last week’s loss to Georgia Tech. “When we get people back, we’re going to be a dangerous team.”

JP GIGLIO (N&O)
N.C. State must be complete to beat Cavs

WHAT NEEDS WORK

The complete effort. Only one half of good defense is not going to win many games in the second half of the season, with the Wolfpack needing to win four of its final six games to return to a bowl game.

CAULTON TUDOR (N&O)
Wolfpack is still alive – for now

Saturday’s 38-24 win over Central Michigan doesn’t mean N.C. State’s so-so football season to date suddenly has taken flight.

Definitive information on that front probably won’t be known until Nov. 5, when Wolfpack coach Tom O’Brien and his players attempt to push their win streak against UNC to five.

But while the big picture hasn’t come into focus just yet, certain aspects of the Wolfpack’s season did change some Saturday – and not just by the introduction of black uniforms.

For one thing, a 34-27 loss at Wake Forest on Sept. 10 no longer looks so unsightly.

Brett Friedlander (accinsider.com)
FIFTH QUARTER: ‘Just win, baby’

3. Pack of reinforcements:
N.C. State’s injury riddled defense got two more players back Saturday, LB Terrell Manning and DT Brian Slay. Manning made the biggest impact by recording a sack, a forced fumble and an interception, one of five turnovers State forced in a badly needed 38-24 win against Central Michigan.

GoPack.com
Pack Smothers Chippewas in 2nd Half for 38-24 Win

Matt Carter (TheWolfpacker.com)
Quick hits from NCSU’s win over Central Michigan

Spotted at the game

NC State commitments Josh Sessoms, safety from Southern Nash High in Bailey, N.C., and James Summers, quarterback from Page High in Greensboro, N.C., were both at the game. So too was senior offensive lineman Casey Perry from Hillside High in Durham, N.C.

Top junior quarterback Connor Mitch from Wakefield High in Raleigh was also in attendance. Mitch sports a Wolfpack offer. An unconfirmed visitor was cornerback Marchez Coates from McDonough High in Pomfret, Md. A player with a striking resemblance to the Pittsburgh commitment was spotted before the game, but the recruit was not wearing a name tag.

Wolfonthehill (backingthepack.com)
CMU @ NC State post-mortem

And then, of course, the concerns…

Coaching. We shouldn’t need half a season to figure out how to play ball. And we shouldn’t have to play the first half of a game against CMU to figure out how to effectively defend them. It’s called summer workouts and game film. Use them. Develop game plans. Go kick someone in the teeth from the first kickoff on Labor Day weekend. Have some FIRE!!!! The next time I watch TOB actually coach a player in the middle of the game will be the first time… I saw him pluck grass more often yesterday (once) that I saw him coach a player (zero).

Akula Wolf (BackingthePack.com)
NC State 38, Central Michigan 24

That first half was about what we’ve come to expect from this team, except this time the offense decided to show up early. While Ryan Radcliff was getting whatever he wanted, Mike Glennon led a pair of touchdown drives in the first quarter, which was a sight for sore eyes, to say the least. His third touchdown pass and a late fumble recovery by Earl Wolff ensured the Pack would have the lead at intermission despite allowing Central Michigan to rack up over 250 yards of offense.

I don’t know if they made adjustments or just improved their execution, but State played significantly better defense in the second half and finally got Radcliff to look like the error-prone quarterback he is. A dreadful decision under pressure ended with the ball in Terrell Manning’s hands and the Wolfpack offense in great shape for its first score of the 3rd quarter. Takeaways like that one, and the strong play by the defense in general, gave us an opportunity to remove all doubt before the start of the 4th quarter. State’s first three drives of the second half began in CMU territory but they only managed points on one of them.

CONFERENCE EXPANSION

Akula Wolf (BackingthePack.com)
Andy Schmedsall Nixes UConn-To-ACC Proposal

About 1.21 Jigawatts

Class of '98, Mechanical Engineer, State fan since arriving on campus and it's been a painful ride ever since. I live by the Law of NC State Fandom, "For every Elation there is an equal and opposite Frustration."

'11 Football ACC Teams College Football

50 Responses to Monday Musings

  1. pack76 10/10/2011 at 3:46 PM #

    TERMNINATE NOW!!!

  2. pack76 10/10/2011 at 3:46 PM #

    TERMNINATE NOW!!!

  3. BJD95 10/10/2011 at 3:50 PM #

    Contract isn’t about to run out. But if TOB wants to retire, that could be papered over so we don’t face a buyout next year. Assuming there’s somebody at or working for NC State that can write a contract better than your average 7 year old.

    The basketball coaching search was a wakeup kick in the balls, followed by a bucket of ice water in the face.

    But that said, I seem to be the only one who actually LIKED our uniforms (they would be fantastic with red numbers, IMHO), so I could just be full of shit on every level. Hey, nothing would surprise me at this point.

  4. baxter 10/10/2011 at 4:05 PM #

    So what performance will get some of you off the fire TOB bandwagon? 6-0, 5-1, 4-2? Does a win over UNC, Clemson, or MD carry any more weight than BC, FSU, UVA? If he beats UNC and goes 4-2, I say give him his final contract year and then let the guy retire, what BJD said.

    If we go 3-3, you better beat UNC, UVA, and BC, and you had better lose by a score or less to FSU and MD, both of whom look suspect now. Even then, depending on what the coaching landscape is I’m not quick to turn and burn, again, we aren’t in a position to have another buyout and be able to afford a good coach. Though, you might get lucky and get a Mike Leach type of guy on discount, but as many have said, that’s a really risky hire at this junction.

  5. ryebread 10/10/2011 at 4:13 PM #

    Does anyone know definitively whether TOB has just one more year left on his contract? I’ve heard rumors that old Fowlup might have extended it. Just another great move from a man whose tenure produced gifts that just keep on giving.

    I ask the same question about the assistants? I seem to remember them getting multi-year gigs. We potentially won’t be just buying out TOB, but also some of his staff. The problem is that if they DO have multi-year deals with years remaining, then even if TOB “retires” we might end up owing them if we don’t want to retain their services.

    Somewhere in the comments someone said they thought the problem is Archer. While Archer is a problem, I think Petercuskie (who manages the recruiting and special teams) is a bigger one. I think S&C is a big one as well. Honestly, one would be hard pressed to find a position coach where we’re really solid. The closet would be Tenuta at LB coach. This has got to be factored in on a “fire TOB or let him retire” discussion.

    I think Yow’s taking a “wait and see” approach until the end of the season. I’m sure that she’s got feelers out with the big money donors to understand what she would and would not have support for. Also, there’s no way she tips her hand, particularly if Tom’s team goes on a run.

    My guess remains the same — it is bowl or bust for TOB. With how we’ve played this year, I don’t see 4 more wins on the schedule. It would be interesting to see how 6-6 played out.

  6. PackFamily 10/10/2011 at 4:56 PM #

    “Somebody correct me if I’m wrong, but don’t the rules allow for bumping the receiver within 5 yds of the line of scrimmage? If so, why aren’t our corners within 5 yds, chucking the receivers and throwing off the timing of the routes ? ”

    Yes, this is frustrating. This is the problem with the zone instead of man. They can’t focus on the one player but have to think about multiple players entering their zone. That’s why they can’t bump the guy at the line.

  7. mak4dpak 10/10/2011 at 5:23 PM #

    Again hoping if TOB is around next year, that he has the current BC coach by his side coaching the defense. Could happen, if BC continues on their slide. Good bye Archer! I liked the uniforms, just replace the pink numbers with red, and could definitely see them again, even if it is what we wear on the road.

  8. grouchomarx 10/10/2011 at 5:27 PM #

    ok full disclosure here-I don’t know terms of TOB contract, or assts., but if he has 1 year remaining after this season Yow will not terminate him now-based on ALL her comments, our entire budget is TIGHT. She is an administrator. Fiscal responsibility is very important-not paying a buyout unless real cheap. Like it or not, thats reality. Scream and yell-you don’t have to balance the budget.

    Best scenario is his early announced retirement after 2012, and the search begins. Maybe get a Mike Leach,Mark Richt, etc. to commit early and save a recruiting year. Yow is smart-maybe she can work it out.

  9. leewolf 10/10/2011 at 5:39 PM #

    The UVA game looms huge for this team and for TOB’s coaching tenure. UVA has looked ok but not very good so far, and they will be coming off a game against GT which is probably going to bruise up their D pretty badly, as GT has a habit of doing.

    UVA has been a turnover machine this year, and their passing game has been a problem. They have been utilizing mostly short passes, and their QBs (Mike Rocco and David Watford) both have above 50% completion, Rocco (the starter) is at 62%. But they are both turnover-prone, with 8 INTs to just 3 TDs through the air this year. UVA’s three RBs have done fairly well and all have decent (around 5) YPC averages. They have had some fumbling problems as well.

    Their D has improved over a year ago but is still giving up a decent amount of yards per game. UNC ran all over them and Renner more or less picked his targets, though they held the Heels to only 28 points.

    Bottom line for State, if we are going to make it back to a bowl this is a game we have to find a way to win. I think Washington will have some success on the ground, and as long as Glennon has time the offense should be ok. My biggest concern is our run defense. If we can force UVA into 2nd and 3rd and long, then I feel good about our pass D being able to come up with a few turnovers and hold on for a win.

  10. eas 10/10/2011 at 5:40 PM #

    I agree with BJD95 on the black uniforms. I LIKE them with RED letters. The red helmets are nice but need a little tweaking. I didnt think I would be a fan but I am after seeing them.

  11. sundropdrinker13 10/10/2011 at 6:05 PM #

    leewolf, how many times have we had the opponents at 3rd and long, and I’m talking 14+ yards, and we give up the first down? WAY too many times. Our D will make UVA’s QBs look like Heisman players.

  12. greywolfsixtyfive 10/10/2011 at 6:38 PM #

    An article in the paper a couple of weeks ago indicated TOB has FOUR years remaining after this season. This implies that his contract was completely renewed following last year’s success.

    But note that typically the guaranteed portion is only the salary, not the income from the coach show, the apparel contract, etc. His contract as I recall also was heavily laden with incentives. In a bad year I think his total take was supposed to be just shy of $1MM all inclusive. I doubt his salary is more than $600k per year. $2,400,000 can usually be discounted to the present value or paid out as intended, over time.

  13. Dogbreath 10/10/2011 at 7:54 PM #

    I shouldve gone into coaching. Bust your ass until your 40 and get a coordinator gig. Get a head job at 45. Bang the cheerleading coach, or whatever it takes to get that buyout, then go sell time shares until youre ready for the dirt nap.

    Good gig.

  14. eas 10/10/2011 at 8:49 PM #

    ACC coaching contracts

    http://www.coacheshotseat.com/ACCCoachesSalariesContracts.htm

  15. sundropdrinker13 10/10/2011 at 9:03 PM #

    eas, yours is old, as it lists 3 coaches that no longer coach. Mine does as well, and it lists all the coaches salaries for last season.

    http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2010-coaches-contracts-database.htm

  16. eas 10/10/2011 at 10:12 PM #

    The PDF for the actual contract was kind of cool to see even if it was from 2008. It does make you think why would TOB would leave BC to be the 11th highest paid coach in the ACC.

    Thanks for the more recent and accurate version sundropdrinker13.

  17. eas 10/10/2011 at 10:15 PM #

    It’s hard to believe WFU pays Grobe right at 3 million…..well not when we play them that is.

  18. leewolf 10/10/2011 at 10:21 PM #

    sundrop, we have had issues with that, but the past two games the D has really stepped up on third down. GT was only 4/12, CMU 3/10. Granted, we had plenty of other issues, including not being able to stop GT on 4th down, but only giving up third down about 1/3 of the time is pretty good. Not all of those were 3rd and long either.

    Hopefully that is a trend that continues to improve going into the UVA game.

  19. ryebread 10/10/2011 at 10:22 PM #

    Gaaah! $229k for Archer?!??!? Ugh.

  20. gotohe11carolina 10/11/2011 at 1:28 AM #

    the uni’s weren’t great but we could take a page from the Oregon Playbook, kids love them some uni’s the more options the better. did like the lids though, love the throwback to the 70’s

  21. wolfonthehill 10/11/2011 at 6:01 AM #

    If he really plans to retire after next season, we really should hire & bring in his replacement BEFORE the season if at all possible for transition & recruiting continuity purposes. Of course, that’s a tough one to do if the new guy’s gonna bring his own staff, which I sure as hell hope he’d do in this case…

  22. lawful 10/11/2011 at 8:57 AM #

    Baxter, I don’t think it comes down to wins & losses for me anymore. I was on your side two weeks ago but when I look at the big picture, I don’t see the program as a whole really progressing. Look at the recruits again for next season. Do you think they’re going to take us to a new level? Do they look like a bunch in which we can develop quality two and three deep? I don’t want to be a program that has a bunch of seniors and wins one season out of four. It doesn’t look good on its face to me. Someone can convince me otherwise.

  23. packhammer 10/11/2011 at 10:06 AM #

    I know it is near pointless to suggest this but would you guys consider waiting until the end or at least near the end of the season to debate TOB’s future? It is just not a good idea on a number of levels. One of which is that it makes no difference what people say here now. If you want to express yourself then write an email to Ms. Yow. Otherwise the negativity is bad for players, recruits, and your Karma.

    Wow. Grobe makes $3 million. He has one ACC Championship and a good team about every 7 years. That is about like us, only no ACC Championship! Nice work if you can get it. And W-S is a great place to live.

  24. lawful 10/11/2011 at 1:50 PM #

    According to every major periodical, Raleigh is better. No offense to any recruits or players (b/c I’ll pull for them all the same), but the number of stars that rivals hands out is by and far pretty close to reality. Not always, but at least a reasonable perception.

  25. packhammer 10/11/2011 at 3:58 PM #

    Maybe. Depends on what you want. Grobe is a big fish in a small pond in Winston-Salem. Also, the Wake faithful still don’t believe that they can win 50 percent of their games, and for some reason they don’t demand more for their $3 million/year. It has something to do with the fact that they have had long periods of truly bad teams. But Pack fans are radically different. We think somehow we are always just about to turn the corner and win 12 games and go to the Fiesta Bowl. We are highly aggravated, angry, and disappointed with losing. Wake fans, by and large, not so much. And we basically have the same program in terms of wins and losses over the recent past. Wake has actually been better than us for the past 5 years. It would make a really interesting study in the psychology of fan allusion/delusion.

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