ACCSports.com – Wolfpack Insider Free Today

'08 Football General Media15

ACCSports.com/ACC Sports Journal is allowing free access to their NC State team report today.

Wilson Offers Program Hope provides a deeper look at the obvious ‘hot issue’ of the moment within the NC State Football program — the impressive emergence of quarterback, Russell Wilson.

Ever since he got knocked out against South Carolina in the season opener and got his feet wet against Clemson, Wilson has played lights-out. As strange as it may seem for someone who didn’t even lock up his own starting position until late August, Wilson even could be emerging as a favorite to be the top quarterback in the ACC when the all-conference teams are selected.

The article emphasizes some of our comments from our Russell Wilson entry last week:

N.C. State’s offensive coaches soon will be in the enviable position of trying to figure out if they should stick with Wilson. There is little doubt that he has earned the faith of his teammates, who respect his leadership. Wilson also has that “it” factor that is so hard to find in a signal-caller.

However, freshman Mike Glennon was signed as “the guy” for this coaching staff. He was supposed to be the foundation for coach Tom O’Brien’s rebuilding effort, and from all accounts he has not disappointed one bit in practice, while redshirting. During warmups, Glennon makes some tosses with ease that other quarterbacks (including Wilson) could only dream of making.

The piece also discusses basketball recruiting issues at NC State. Let’s push any of that talk to our most recent basketball entry that can be seen here.

Also worth noting:

* Erin Andrews stopped by Dave Glenn’s radio program. (Link)

* ACCNow’s Video Podcast for this week is up and running. (Link) A few points:

– I disagree with Tudor’s opinion that State fans want this one more than Carolina fans. I don’t really get that. State beat Carolina last year and the Tarheels want to boost their record as much as they can so that they can try to lay claim to having a ‘great’ season (and ignore the fact that they couldn’t have had much of an easier ACC Schedule).

– Joe Giglio is great in this one. He NAILS the REAL reason for NC State’s resurgence this season – improved offensive line play while also politely calling out NC State’s ‘crack’ Sports Information Department for failing to promote Russell Wilson for All-ACC quarterback.

– The primary point on which I disagree with Giglio is that “Mike O’Cain lost to good UNC teams”. Not true. In fact, Mike O’Cain was FAVORED in the majority of his match-ups against UNC. Don’t forget the last year of O’Cain’s mediocre tenure included a miserable performance in Charlotte where NC State lost to a horrible Torbush-coached Carolina team that was quarterbacked by their SAFETY!? It doesn’t get any worse than that.

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'08 Football General Media

15 Responses to ACCSports.com – Wolfpack Insider Free Today

  1. primacyone 11/19/2008 at 4:32 PM #

    “Things are starting to get interesting around here.” Tom O’Brien

  2. choppack1 11/19/2008 at 4:32 PM #

    I have to agree w/ Tudor that State fans want this one more. The season for UNC is just beginning – do UNC fans want to beat us – sure…but if they lose, the vast majority of the powder blue fans will turn their thoughts to the No 1 ranked cagers. Remember, they are one of those fanbase who are apathetic when they are losing, and unbearable when they are winning. State fans -OTOH are angry, surly and bitter when we’re losing and unbearable when we’re winning.

    Regarding MOC’s tenure vs. UNC-Ch. I think he played 5 against Mack Brown, 2 against NASCARL. I can’t remember if he was favored in his 1st or 2nd years – in both of those years we had winning records. In years 3, 4, and 5 – I doubt we were favored. In years 3 and 4, we had losing records – and the Heels had winning ones (thought I think in year 3 MOC, the Heels had to beat us to be bowl eligible). In year 5, that was UNC’s best squad and MOC actually did his best coaching job in this game. We hung against the Top 10 heels until the 4th quarter.

    Years 6 and 7 cost MOC his job – and they should have. We went into both of those games w/ a shot at a special season if we just beat a team that we had played better than the entire season and couldn’t finish the job. Those losses in Charlotte are still the most painful for me in the rivalry.

    I’d also submit that when you look at painful losses in recent history of this game, I think you can see why we want this game so much more: Our win last year, was our “first” close win in the series since 1992 (I think). We had heartbraking losses in 1995, 1998, 1999, 2004( this was of course infamous touchdown that was called off). In UNC’s 3 losses during that period, these games were decided by the 4th quarter (though all 3 of those were close in the 3rd quarter).

    I’m really hoping that w/ TOB has a knack for winning this rivalry game. I thought that last year, our team played fantastic in the trenches and that only Evans’ 2 pick 6s kept the game from being an NC State blowout.

    This year is a tough match up for us – they have strength where we are weakest, but if Nate can stay healthy he really helps our ability to cover those WR screens and the middle of the field.

  3. StateFans 11/19/2008 at 4:40 PM #

    We were definitely favored in 93, 98 and 99.

    I thought we were favored in 94.

    Definitely were not favored in 95, 96, 97

  4. wufpaxno1 11/19/2008 at 4:58 PM #

    We were not favored in 86 either, but prevailed in a classic 35-34 in Dick Sheridan’s first season. Sheridan owned UNC, even with mighty Mack, and there is a very “Sheridanesk” feel to TOB’s teams. TOB understands the importance of the game and does not down play it.

    Chop, UNC may be strong where we are weakest, but we have strengths where they are potentially weak. Our offensive line play has steadily improved and we have two pretty good backs. Maryland, UVA, and Va. Tech all punished a very good UNC defensive front on the ground and I see opportunity here. Russell Wilson presents multiple problems for them that none of the aforementioned opponents could from the quarterback position, so if they focus on the run, Russell will make them pay through the air and with his legs.

    Defensively, they have the potential to exploit our secondary, but if we can keep the game in front of us, we can contain them until they make a mistake. The key for UNC will be who gets the most time under center for them, will Sexton implode, and is Yates still a bit rusty from a long recovery. The Key for us will be that same as it has been all season, can we keep Wilson and Irving healthy for the whole game, beyond them, there is little relief.

    I honestly believe that we have a good chance of pulling this one out, but I just watched the “College Classics” video of that ’86 game again, so I am a little fired up!

  5. Ismael 11/19/2008 at 5:34 PM #

    I saw where Jeremy Gray talked about it being just another game; note, he’s from Alabama, i’ll let it slide.

    And butch-slap can downplay it all he wants, this whole QB thing is strategery, or at least he thinks it is.

    I guess i should be, we are NCState, but UNCCH’s running game does not scare me, their passing game is another story. However, Yates might be the least mobile QB we’ve faced all year and our front 7 is really starting to disrupt the backfield even with mobile QB’s. I’m really P U M P E D for this game.

  6. Ismael 11/19/2008 at 5:38 PM #

    Actually if that’s the best the ACCJournal has to offer then i’m not missing much. Every quote they had in the articles were identical to whats in the N&O and other publications. Didn’t really see any special insight.

  7. vtpackfan 11/19/2008 at 5:52 PM #

    Their running game scares me, their passing game may do allright but this is hardly the best passing attack we have seen thus far. They have a nice pro style tandem running back system.

    RW is incredible but I get to the games early and go in, bean bags and beer are just not my thing, no offense. I sit in my seat down near the field and watch all the warm ups and Glennon is ridiculous. It’s effortless looking and the most catchable ball a receiver could ever dream off. His release point is where everone wanted PR’s to be AND he is taller.

    That said RW is a stud, right now. His confidence matches the coaching staff and they have been at it for awhile. That’s big on game day but even bigger all week at practice knowing that you can focus on the other positions, the QB will be ready.

  8. BJD95 11/19/2008 at 8:19 PM #

    Having the TWO best QBs in the ACC next year is a “problem” I will love having.

  9. choppack1 11/19/2008 at 8:51 PM #

    “The Key for us will be that same as it has been all season, can we keep Wilson and Irving healthy for the whole game, beyond them, there is little relief.”

    Ain’t that the truth – and you can bet our opponents know it.

  10. Ismael 11/19/2008 at 9:16 PM #

    speaking of Glennon, i’ve seen alot of people comment about how the style of the offense suits Russell etc. Actually if you watch the Underarmour All-Ameica game where Glennon was the QB for most of it, it looks like the identical offense. You will also notice Glennon run on a designed play to score a TD. The kid is actually fast and moves very very well in the pocket.

    Which also brings up another point: Wilson is not just a runner like Vick, Vince Young, etc. He’s a pocket passer who just happens to be able to move better than most pocket passers and when he does scramble, it looks like designed runs.

    As BJD said: i hope there’s even a controversy or a fight or something. This is better than taking friendly wagers on how many pick 6’s are gonna get thrown.

    It seems like 10 years since all this crap happened at the beginning of the season. As JJ Evans dad from Good Times said in “Coming to America”: I feel like break dancing.

  11. PackerInRussia 11/19/2008 at 10:43 PM #

    I thought this ESPN article discussing the shady practices of college coaches when it comes to recruiting would be of interest to this site. It does briefly mention John Wall, but any reader of this site is already aware of that situation. The overall content was interesting and brought up points that have been discussed here in the past:

    http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?id=3710807

    Also, just FYI, but State’s bball class was ranked 19th on ESPN. Heels’ #1, Duke #6.

  12. wufpup76 11/19/2008 at 10:58 PM #

    I don’t really care what kind of passes Glennon can make in WARMUPS, I’ve seen what Wilson can do in actual GAMES …

    Don’t get me wrong, I’m extremely thankful that Glennon chose to come to State – but if Wilson plays football again next season and is #2 on the depth chart then we better win every game Glennon starts … Benching the ACC’s best QB (easily) better mean Glennon is some kind of wunderkind

  13. Noah 11/20/2008 at 10:56 AM #

    The offense that Bible installed this year was designed for Wilson and his abilities. I’m sure that if Glennon ever becomes THE GUY, we’ll tailor things to his abilities.

    Speaking of past UNC games…was the 1993 game the one with the fight right before halftime? If so, yes, we were favored slightly in that game.

    The two games in Charlotte were evil, evil things.

  14. packalum44 11/20/2008 at 2:26 PM #

    I expect to see both QB’s take snaps next season. Glennon IS a wonderkid by the way. He will be better than Wilson. However, he will benefit from having better players around him whereas Wilson’s abilities mitigate certain weaknesses (recievers, o-line). However, with the improvement of our offense, I believe Glennon can flourish as early as next year. He’s the type of kid who can throw up 50 points on a team.

    As mentioned, this is a good problem to have. I am one of Wilson’s biggest supporters. Let’s not forget, injuries are a part of wolfpack football. Good to have 2 QB’s. Plus, we get another youngster from Jack Britt next year, Everett Proctor. He is faster than Wilson, 4.4 speed. Moreover, we have several big name QB’s interested in us the following year. I guess it makes it easier to recruit when you can point your finger at Matt Ryan and call him your own!

    Go Pack!

  15. Noah 11/20/2008 at 7:43 PM #

    Proctor is going to make an excellent safety. 🙂

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