NC State Campus Correspondent

Jonathan Rand: 2009 North Carolina State Campus Correspondent You Have Arrived!

August 2, 2009 Welcome to the official blog for all things N.C. State Football. The ACC has selected one student from each ACC University to follow their team this season on “The Road to Tampa Bay.” My name is Jonathan Rand and I will be providing passionate insight about the Wolfpack from an on-campus perspective. I am looking forward to being your guide through another exciting season of Wolfpack Football. It should be a great ride! GO PACK!!!!

P.S. Follow me on Twitter @PackCampusBlog

ACC Media Weekend August 2, 2009 A record turnout paved the way for an amazing media weekend for ACC football. The ACC Kickoff was held last Sunday and Monday, the 26th and 27th of July at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, NC. From interviews with players and coaches to golf outings, this weekend was packed with enough excitement to get everyone ready for September.

For the ACC interns, the weekend started off Saturday night with a special dinner-meeting to get acquainted and informed. It was great to be in a room with other ACC football fans and just talk about what we love. After the info session and a little bit of trash talk here and there, we all settled in for what would be an incredible 48 hours.

Sunday began with another light info session, followed by a meeting with ESPN’s Heather Dinich! Heather covers the ACC for ESPN.com. Many of us interns are big fans of Heather’s blogs, so meeting and getting tips from her was really special. After talking with Heather for awhile, all of the media gathered to hear the Commissioner of the ACC speak. Commissioner John Swofford held a forum that afternoon in which he discussed football and the state of the ACC. It was a very interesting experience to be in a press conference type setting where questions were being raised and cameras were being flashed. I guess that kind of helped me get into “media mode.”

At the conclusion of the forum the student athlete interviews began. Each school had two representatives so that a lot of information could be gathered. Media personnel bounced from table to table while dropping recorders here and scratching notepads there. When all was said and done, the players had been asked just about every question imaginable and there was nary a blank piece of paper in sight. Though we interns were not quite done getting to know the players.

That night after dinner, some of the players gathered in a downstairs lounge for some much needed relaxation. Also in attendance were the trusty ACC interns. When you’ve got pool, fuzzball and video games, it’s kind of hard to pass up. Being able to hang out with the players in an informal environment was very memorable. It was also fun watching the players compete in NCAA ‘10. Virginia Tech did end up winning with Tight End Greg Boone at the helm, though not all players competed. Several players, such as those from N.C. State did not play, choosing rather to show their supremacy on the field. That downtime with the players was truly an experience.

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The next morning, players, coaches and media alike gathered for the annual Skeeter Francis Golf Outing. This event has been held for the past several years and is a “Captain’s Choice” tournament. Three ACC bloggers teamed up, with yours truly alongside FSU blogger Richie Barnes and BC blogger David Auffenberg. I am proud to say that playing between NCSU Coach Tom O’ Brien and VT Coach Frank Beamer (no pressure), our group posted a seven under 65.

The score wasn’t the most memorable aspect of the round though, as we were able to talk with coaches and media personnel in yet another relaxed environment (relaxed is a loose term here as most golfers know).

After the round, and the announcement of the winners at lunch, everyone settled in for the coaches interviews. Sitting around the likes of Bobby Bowden, Tom O’ Brien and Butch Davis; you could feel the energy in the air. Everyone is excited about ACC football and with good reason. There are enough veteran coaches, returning players and enthusiastic fans to make this one of the best ACC seasons yet! I am just very thankful for the opportunities that this Kickoff weekend gave me, and the opportunities that this football season holds.

Season Outlook: Boston College August 2, 2009 After a very successful string of years for the Eagles, a new era begins in Chestnut Hill. Frank Spaziani became the 34th head coach of Boston College this past January and now looks to continue the success of his predecessors. This year will be quite the challenge for Coach “Spaz” though as he inherits a team with no starting quarterback and several different holes to fill.

Strengths 1. O-Line: One thing that the Eagles must capitalize on is the strength of their offensive line.

With four starters returning including preseason All-ACC selections Matt Tennant and Anthony Castonzo, the “boys up front” should be a force.

2. Running Backs: The running backs should also be a strength for the Eagles, especially with the lack of a proven quarterback. Josh Haden and Montel Harris are coming off great freshman seasons and should look to improve as they gain more experience. Running behind a good O-Line never hurt either.

Weaknesses 1. Quarterbacks: Not to beat a dead horse, but the QB position is a very vulnerable one for BC. Without Chris Crane (graduated) and Dominique Davis (academics/transfer) the QB position is up for grabs. There are a few options for Coach “Spaz” such as 25 year old David Shinskie, but breaking in a new QB in the ACC is never easy.

2. Defense: Believe it or not, this is a very real concern for the BC coaching staff. With the loss of B.J. Raji and Ron Brace to the NFL, the D-Line will need some patching up. There is also the loss of All-America linebacker Mark Herzlich who will likely miss the entire season while battling cancer. The Eagles’ defense did have 26 interceptions last year (tied for most in the country), but six were by Herzlich and another six were by Paul Anderson who graduated.

Schedule Breakdown Northeastern: The Eagles should start off the “Spaz” era with a good win here on their home opener. Win

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Kent State: Once again, the Eagles take care of business against a foe from last year. Win @Clemson: The first two games are nice ones to get a new quarterback adjusted, but the Tiger’s quickness isn’t like BC’s first two opponents. Loss Wake Forest: A good Wake team comes to town, but BC has enough as home-field advantage gives them a boost. Win Florida State: Home-field advantage can’t help BC here as an experienced QB and a veteran coach steal one on the road. Loss @Virginia Tech: Once again a better team takes BC out as the Eagles can’t get revenge for last year’s championship game. Loss N.C. State: Not as much offense as in last year’s duel (especially in the passing department), but BC’s losing streak continues. Loss @Notre Dame: Interesting game here as these two teams also met last year. ND limits their mistakes (unlike last year) and gives the home crowd something to cheer about. Loss Central Michigan: BC has had a tough stretch of late and this is just the kind of game to get them headed in the right direction. Good game, but BC prevails. Win @Virginia: After an off week, BC is able to go on the road and pick up a win. This win gives Eagle fans hope of another year with a bowl appearance. Atleast…for a little while. Win North Carolina: The Tar Heels come to town and coincidentally, BC’s winning streak comes to an end. Loss @Maryland: Traveling to Maryland on senior day is tough for the Eagles. This one could go either way, with Maryland having their own issues this year. Maryland gets the edge with home-field and senior day. Loss Outcome: With the issues at quarterback, along with a new head coach and various important pieces missing, it looks like a sub 500 season for the Eagles. I’ve got them at 5-7 overall and 2-6 in the league. That’s not enough for them to continue their streak of 10 straight bowl appearances. I see this record possibly changing by a game either way, but no more than that.

Relax Eagle fans. You’re in good hands. Coach Spaziani will have BC back and contending before you know it. Just not this year.

Season Outlook: Clemson August 3, 2009 Like Boston College, Clemson is beginning a new era in their history as well. This year begins the first full season with Dabo Swinney at the helm for the Tigers. Coach Swinney has been with the program since 2003, so he’s not exactly a new face to the Clemson family. He inherits a team that went 7-6 last year with a 4-4 record in the conference. He is also fortunate to have Seniors C.J. Spiller and Jacoby Ford back for what should be another good offensive season for the Tigers.

Strengths 1. O-Line: Last year, Clemson had to replace four starters on their offensive line. This year is a different story with five starters returning to pave the way for the Tiger offense. With Outland Trophy candidate Thomas Austin leading the way, the O-Line should be a much improved group.

2. Playmakers: A consistent strength for the Tigers year after year is their stock of playmakers.

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This year will be no different as Clemson has the electrifying C.J. Spiller at running back and speedy wideout Jacoby Ford. Get these two seniors the ball with room to run and Tiger Nation will be a happy bunch. Clemson also has playmakers on the opposite side of the ball, with senior cornerback Crezdon Butler and the athletic Da’Quan Bowers at defensive end. These four players have the ability to change a game completely in a split second.

Weaknesses 1. Quarterbacks: This weakness is not as bad as some of the media is making it out to be, but it’s a weakness none the less. Willy Korn does have some experience under center and he’s got a highly regarded redshirt freshman behind him in Kyle Parker–that is, if Willy Korn wins the starting job. As of last weekend at the ACC Kickoff, Coach Swinney didn’t have a starter.

Whoever it is will have the luxury of playing behind an experienced O-Line. Those playmakers on the offensive side still need someone to get them the ball though.

2. Special Teams: The Tigers have some question marks in the kicking game with the absence of multi-year starters Mark Buchholz and Jimmy Maners. Buchholz was a solid field goal kicker for Clemson and Maners finished his career as one of the better punters in Tiger history.

Spencer Benton and Richard Jackson will battle for the placekicking duties, while Dawson Zimmerman will also compete with Jackson for the punting job. None of the three have much experience and in a conference where close games are frequent, the kicking game is crucial.

Schedule Breakdown Middle Tennessee: A good opening game at Memorial Stadium for a starting QB to get his feet wet. Win @Georgia Tech: The Jackets and their option attack prove too much for the Tigers. An inexperienced QB in an early ACC game is tough to overcome. Loss Boston College: Clemson picks up their first ACC win as the battle between inexperienced QBs goes to the team with more playmakers; the Tigers. Win TCU: The Horned Frogs come to “Death Valley” for a marquee win, but leave distraught.

Clemson has too much speed and athleticism. Win @Maryland: Trap game for the Tigers. The Terps aren’t as talented but have a history of being one of the more inconsistent teams in the league. Behind a veteran coach and an experienced QB, the Terps protect their house. Loss Wake Forest: Clemson gets back on track with a home win over a less athletic team. A little bit more offense than in last year’s 12-7 Deacon win. Win @Miami: Traveling down to Coral Gables proves difficult for the Tigers. Against a very similar team when it comes to athleticism, the edge goes to the home team. Loss Coastal Carolina: This tune-up on Halloween gives Clemson a bit more confidence heading into an important stretch in their season. Win Florida State: Against a very good FSU team, the Tigers fall just short. The ‘Noles steal one on the road behind Christian Ponder and an experienced offensive line. Loss @N.C. State: The annual “Textile Bowl” comes back to Raleigh in a crucial Atlantic Division battle. The Tigers have had the Wolfpack’s number of late and this year is no different. Clemson makes just enough plays on offense to outscore the Wolfpack and continue their dominance over State. Win

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Virginia: The Tigers come back home and are greeted with a less than stellar Virginia squad. In a down year for the ‘Cavs, Clemson’s overall talent gives them the edge in the “Valley.” Win @South Carolina: In their annual rivalry, the Gamecocks look for revenge from last year’s 17 point defeat. Though they have home-field, South Carolina can’t defeat a well prepared Tiger team hungry for an eight win season. “The Old Ball Coach” is steaming! Win Outcome: In Dabo Swinney’s first year as head coach, he leads the Tigers to an 8-4 overall record with a 4-4 record in the conference. This is good for third in the division and Tiger Nation is OK with that–for now. They’re actually more upset about the fact that C.J. Spiller wasn’t invited to New York for the Heisman Ceremony.

Season Outlook: Florida State August 5, 2009 Entering his 34th season as Head Coach of the Seminoles, Bobby Bowden will look to do something he hasn’t done since 2005; win his own division. In that year, Florida State represented the Atlantic Division in the inaugural ACC Championship game. The ‘Noles went on to defeat Virginia Tech to claim the ACC crown. Expectations are high this year with a veteran group back for what should be a highly competitive ACC season. Florida State is coming off a 9-4 record with a 5-3 mark in conference. That was good enough for a 1st place tie with Boston College, but the Eagles got the edge with a head-to-head win. The Seminoles capped off their season with an impressive win over Wisconsin in the Champs Sports Bowl. It was the first time FSU finished with more than eight wins since 2004.

Strengths 1. Quarterback: This begins a trend of strengths for the ACC as a whole as 10 teams return starting quarterbacks. Christian Ponder is in his second season as a starter and last year was an effective dual threat for the ‘Noles. The redshirt junior rushed for 423 yards last year while passing for just over 2,000 yards. He’ll need to work on his accuracy though as he completed 56 percent of his passes with 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

2. O-Line: One of Florida State’s biggest strengths this year is their offensive line. The Seminoles have three former freshman All-Americans returning in Andrew Datko, Rodney Hudson and Ryan McMahon. This line should bolster an offensive attack lead by Ponder and several talented, young running backs.

Weaknesses 1. Defensive End: Florida State suffered two huge blows to their defense for 2009 when Neefy Moffett graduated and Everette Brown left for the NFL. The starters were two of FSU’s top defensemen in sacks and tackles for loss. Senior Kevin McNeil has some experience as he recorded four sacks last season. He will be looking to replace Moffett while junior Markus White will have the task of filling in for Brown. Needless to say, this replacement strategy won’t be an easy one. It will take a team effort to make up for the loss of Brown and Moffett.

2. Special Teams: This is a big question mark for the Seminoles as reliable placekicker and punter Graham Gano graduated. The Lou Groza Award winner was consistent at both positions as he was also the MVP of the Champs Sports Bowl last December for punting. The punting duties could go to sophomore Shawn Powell who did start seven games last year. James Esco handled all of the kicking duties this spring, but the nation’s #1 kicking prospect Dustin Hopkins

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will challenge him. Hopkins, a true freshman, along with Esco head up a Florida State roster without a kicker who has attempted a college field goal. Can anyone else hear “Wide Right?”

Schedule Breakdown Miami: Florida State faces a tough home opener against their rivals from the south. A good game ensues with the edge going to the veteran coach on his home field. Win Jacksonville State: The IAA Gamecocks face their second ACC foe in as many weeks. The result is the same though as FSU cruises. Win @BYU: A little tougher contest here with the Cougars looking for a big win in front of their home crowd. The Seminoles are the bigger, better team and pull out a gritty road victory. Win South Florida: Two 3-0 teams collide as veteran quarterback Matt Grothe attempts to lead the Bulls past Florida State. This is a hard fought game with two great coaches at both ends. FSU stops the potent South Florida offense just enough to preserve the home win. Win @Boston College: The ‘Noles make the trip to Alumni Stadium looking for revenge after last year’s 10 point loss to the Eagles. BC and Coach “Spaz” don’t have enough playmakers to hang with their divisional foe as they attempt to break in a new QB. Win Georgia Tech: FSU fans start to get comfortable with this winning streak, just as “The Ramblin’ Wreck” comes to Tallahassee. Coach Paul Johnson’s option attack is just too much for the ‘Noles as FSU can’t avenge last year’s loss in Atlanta. Loss @North Carolina: After an off week, the ‘Noles travel to Kenan Stadium for a key ACC battle.

Carolina comes ready to play after an off week as well and surprises Florida State with their second straight defeat. Loss N.C. State: The Seminoles come home to try and right the ship against a much improved Wolfpack team. Christian Ponder eats up N.C. State’s secondary, but Russell Wilson does the same to FSU. Wilson makes enough big plays with his arm and his feet as the Pack outscore the ‘Noles. Loss @Clemson: FSU is now on a three game skid, so the coaching staff focuses on the basics.

The team gets back to fundamental football just in time to visit “Tiger town” and new Head Coach Dabo Swinney. FSU’s “D” controls Clemson’s playmakers and capitalizes on the Tiger’s mistakes. Win @Wake Forest: Nobody in the ACC likes traveling to Winston-Salem, but this year is a little bit different. The Deacons are still a well coached team with a talented QB, but their defense has some holes to fill. FSU exploits Wake’s weaknesses and steals a win on the road. Win Maryland: It’s senior day in Tallahassee and emotions are high. Maryland typically plays to the level of their opponent, so this game is tight. Florida State opens it up in the fourth quarter and defeats an inconsistent but competitive Terrapin team. Win @Florida: This rivalry means a lot as both teams are battling for position in their conference and in the national rankings. Don’t look for another 30 point loss, but a Florida State win would be tough here. Florida’s talent and overall speed overwhelm the Seminoles as the Gators protect “The Swamp.” Loss Outcome: Once again Florida State is denied an ACC Championship game appearance finishing at 8-4 overall and 5-3 in the conference. Their loss to N.C. State hurts the most as the Wolfpack end the season at 5-3 in the conference as well. As FSU learned last year though, the

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tie goes to the head-to-head winner. An 8-4 record for the Seminoles isn’t bad considering their fairly tough schedule. They also could be a play or two away from a trip to Tampa, which is what all Florida State fans are craving.

Season Outlook: Maryland August 6, 2009 The Maryland Terrapins enter the 2009 season with question marks just asall other ACC teams do. Though no other ACC team quite went through what Maryland did in 2008. The Terrapins experienced one of biggest rollercoaster seasons in recent memory last year. In 2008, the nation watched as Maryland would lose to Middle Tennessee State and Virginia (31-0), then defeat four ranked teams the rest of the way. This up and down season for the Terrapins ended with an 8-5 record, but the inconsistencies told more of the story than the overall record. Some games, Maryland’s offense would be firing on all cylinders with their defense playing as stout as ever.

Then the next, their offense couldn’t get it in the end zone and their defense was lost as well.

Needless to say, Coach Ralph Friedgen will be looking for more consistency out of everyone this year as the Terps attempt to compete in the Atlantic. Though they lost 30 seniors, some consider Maryland to have some of the more talented youth in the conference.

Strengths 1. Backfield: Da’Rel Scott and David Meggett have quickly established themselves as one of the more talented runningback duos in the conference. Scott earned first team All-ACC honors after rushing for over 1,100 yards last year and Meggett had a solid freshman year as well.

Meggett ran for 457 yards last year and gave Maryland the necessary depth and talent at the runningback position.

2. Speaking of “Backfield,” what about Chris Turner? The senior QB is entering his third year as the starter and each year he’s grown more comfortable. Last year, he finished with over 2,500 yards through the air while completing almost 60 percent of his passes. Having a veteran quarterback during ACC play is crucial for a team’s success.

3. Secondary: The Terps secondary will have to lead the way for a young defense this year.

There is a lot of experience from cornerbacks Anthony Wiseman and Nolan Carroll, to free safety Terrell Skinner. The Terps also have a lot of depth with several different cornerbacks vying to share playing time. The secondary should be one of Maryland’s biggest strengths with a veteran core on board for 2009.

Weaknesses 1. O-Line: Five of Maryland’s top seven offensive linemen are gone, so there will be a lot of inexperience up front this season. Bruce Campbell and Phil Costa are back this year and have a combined 27 starts, but the rest of the line will need some patching up. The Maryland coaching staff will need to fill those voids quickly so their new offensive line will have time to mesh.

2. Linebackers: Maryland lost a foursome at this position that had played in 144 games with 54 starts. In other words, the linebacker depth is an issue. Alex Wujciak and Ben Pooler are both productive and have experience, but they were forced to sit out this spring due to injuries.

That opened the door for more practice time for the Terrapin rookies. Though, they are rookies nonetheless and that inexperience at a key position could cost them.

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Schedule Breakdown @California: A tough opening game against a good Pac-10 team. Maryland doesn’t have enough offense right now as they try to develop their new O-Line. Loss James Madison: A little bit easier contest as Da’Rel Scott and the Maryland rushing attack run all over JMU. Win Middle Tennessee State: MTS shocked the Terps last year with a win at home. This game is at Maryland and the Terrapins won’t be taking them lightly. Win Rutgers: A good Big East vs. ACC battle. Rutgers is a well coached team, but they lost too many players from last year. Win Clemson: The inconsistent Maryland team comes out in an inopportune time for Clemson.

Da’Rel Scott and C.J. Spiller put on a show, but Chris Turner is a more experienced QB than whoever the Tigers start. Win @Wake Forest: After seeing Maryland beat Clemson, people start to believe this Terrapin team might be legit. Maryland travels to Wake Forest and the offense that seemed so easy a week ago is nowhere to be found. Loss Virginia: UVA just doesn’t have enough talent this year to do much in the conference. They do make it close though, as at times Maryland plays to the level of their competition. In the end, the Terps pull it out. Win @Duke: A much improved Blue Devil team plus an energized fan base equals trouble for Maryland. Duke fans are thinking about bowling and the prospects look a lot better after this game. Thaddeus Lewis outplays Chris Turner in the senior quarterback showdown. Loss @N.C. State: The Terrapins travel to Raleigh to try and steal one on the road. The Terps have had the Pack’s number of late, but Russell Wilson changes that. He beats the Terps with his feet and his arm as N.C. State’s front seven stifle the run. Loss Virginia Tech: Maryland has the advantage in home field, but that’s about it. Virginia Tech is the bigger, better team and continues the Terrapin losing streak. Loss @Florida State: A trip to Tallahassee caps off a nasty stretch of games for Maryland. The Terrapins play well, trying to right their inconsistent ship, but Florida State gets the better of them. FSU’s O-Line exploits the holes in Maryland’s front seven. Loss Boston College: Its senior day in College Park and the Terrapin fans want to send their seniors off right. They’re still frustrated after a four game losing streak, but a gritty home win over BC eases the pain of another mediocre season….slightly. Win Outcome: Maryland finishes the year an even 6-6 with a 3-5 record in the conference. After the decent start they had to the season, Terrapin fans wanted more. The finish is understandable though, with all of the losses the Terps had roster wise. Chris Turner and Da’Rel Scott have great seasons, but two people do not make a team. The defensive losses along with the inexperienced O-Line are just too much to overcome this year.

2009 Season Outlook: N.C. State August 7, 2009 2008 Record: 6-7 (4-4) Loss to Rutgers in PapaJohns.com Bowl

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In Tom O’Brien’s third year at N.C. State, the Wolfpack look to build on their late season success of 2008. After eight games a year ago, the Pack was sitting at 2-6 and looking a rough fourgame stretch dead in the eye. Rather than throw in the towel, a resurgent squad took the field during their last third of the season and ran off four straight wins to end the year. N.C. State became bowl eligible for the first time since 2005 as they represented the ACC in the PapaJohns.com Bowl.

Though they fell to the Scarlet Knights that game, the momentum gained from their late season surge has brought a new level of enthusiasm to Raleigh. With first team All-ACC quarterback Russell Wilson returning for his sophomore season, along with a balanced group of veterans and newcomers, this season already shows a lot of promise.

Pack on the Offensive With the steady stream of defensive talent from the ACC flowing to the NFL, its hard to imagine a shift in power to the offensive side of the ball. The change does appear to be happening though as the ACC is currently home to many electrifying stars on offense. With Russell Wilson, wide receiver Owen Spencer and running back Jamelle Eugene, the Wolfpack look to make a little noise of their own on the scoreboard. Last year, State ranked seventh in the league in scoring offense with 23.5 points a game. Look for that number to rise as Wilson gets more comfortable in the offense and more big-play threats step up for the Pack.

The ”Young” and the Restless Monday, August 3rd began the first full week of fall practice for the Wolfpack and senior defensive end Willie Young could not have been more ready. Young, a graduate now after earning his degree this summer, is the most experienced player on the N.C. State roster. “I’m excited about this camp,” Young said last weekend at the ACC Kickoff. “Its two weeks of undivided Coach O’ Brien time before school starts.” The star defensive end also commented on the importance of fundamentals and getting the younger players “on board.” “The faster we can do that,” Young said, “the faster we can get down to business.” The Wolfpack won’t have to wait too long as September 3rd is right around the corner.

No Measuring Sticks Head Coach Tom O’ Brien has a lot to be excited about this year: •

The first eight game home schedule in Wolfpack history

•

A “much more competitive team” in his third year at State

•

A nationally televised rematch with Steve Spurrier and South Carolina

Those are just three reasons he and the Wolfpack faithful should carry a lot of enthusiasm into this season. Though, the third bullet isn’t on O’ Brien’s mind as much as people would think.

A year after State began their season with a 34-0 thumping from South Carolina, the leader of the Pack emphasizes that this is “a new season.” “Last year, we had a center and a quarterback who had never touched the ball,” O’ Brien said. He was referring to rookie quarterback Russell Wilson and defensive tackle turned center Ted Larsen. Coach O’ Brien was clear though that this year’s game against USC is no gauge to evaluate his team’s progress. “We don’t need measuring sticks, we need wins.”

Wolfpack Offense

Backfield: This has the potential to be the Wolfpack’s strongest area this year. Russell Wilson leads the way as he looks to build on his strong freshman performance a year ago. The

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difference this year is that the Pack has a reliable backup in redshirt freshman Mike Glennon.

The 6 foot 6 rookie sat out last year but according to O’ Brien, will see playing time early on. “If Russell goes down, you don’t want someone going in the game who’s never played,” O’ Brien said. Glennon was a highly touted recruit coming out of high school, so he is a dependable backup. The running back position should also be a major strength for the Wolfpack this fall.

Jamelle Eugene returns for the Pack after tallying over 650 total yards in his 2008 campaign.

Also returning for N.C. State is senior running back Tony Baker. Baker, who hasn’t played since 2007 due to a reoccurring knee injury, has amassed almost 1,600 total yards in his career. Baker and Eugene should bear the brunt of the workload for the Pack, with talented reserves in Curtis Underwood Jr., Brandon Barnes and James Washington.

Receiving Corps: Owen Spencer led the way in 2008 with almost 700 yards receiving and an impressive 22.3 yards per catch average, a new ACC record. Jarvis Williams also had a successful season last year, combining with Spencer for over 1, 100 yards and nine touchdowns.

These productive receivers will work alongside sophomores Jay Smith and the speedy T.J. Graham. Other reserves Darrell Davis and Steven Howard are also on standby, making the wide-out position a deep one for the Pack. This lineup will also get a boost around mid-October when redshirt junior Donald Bowens returns from an ACL injury. Bowens has big play potential and was dependable before he went down with injuries. At tight end, the Pack should be in good shape without NFL bound Anthony Hill. Sophomore George Bryan has a good deal of experience at the position, as does senior Matt Kushner, who missed most of last season with a knee injury. Redshirt freshman Mario Carter could see time at the position as well.

O-Line: The offensive line should be another strength for N.C. State this fall. With a ton of experience including center Ted Larsen, and tackles Jake Vermiglio and Jeraill McCuller, this group of upperclassmen show a lot of promise. These are all players who have familiarity with Coach O’ Brien’s system which should be an added plus to the stability of the offense.

Defense

Front Seven: The four probable starters up front for the Wolfpack are all seniors in 2009. Led by defensive end Willie Young and tackle Alan-Michael Cash, this group showed tremendous improvement toward the second half of 2008. They gave up fewer yards and seemed to gel as the year progressed. Shea McKeen will play at the opposite end, with Leroy Burgess filling in the other tackle spot. The question mark here is depth and experience, especially at the tackle position. Audi Augustin and Jeff Rieskamp are the reserves on the ends but again, the area for concern is at tackle.

The linebackers were in great shape until Nate Irving’s June car crash. The redshirt junior was arguably State’s best defensemen and had a keen nose for the ball. With his return this season in doubt, sophomore Dwayne Maddox will get the first crack at Irving’s weak-side position.

Senior Ray Michel will now be looked to for leadership from his middle linebacker spot. Michel, a solid and capable playmaker, led the Wolfpack in tackles last year with 102. A pleasant surprise came from redshirt sophomore Audi Cole. His rapid progression at the field linebacker spot this spring led coaches to make him the starter heading into fall camp. These three players will have talented, young backups in sophomore Sterling Lucas and redshirt freshman Terrell Manning. Though Nate Irving’s absence is a huge blow to the N.C. State defense, there are other options at linebacker.

Secondary: Probably the biggest area of concern for the Wolfpack coaching staff is the defensive secondary. N.C. State was ranked dead last a season ago in passing defense, allowing

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almost 250 yards a game through the air. The secondary was just too inconsistent last year.

They would string together a couple of well played games only to give up 300 yards the next.

The veteran of the group is redshirt junior DeAndre Morgan at cornerback. His backup will be former walk-on Koyal George who has a fair amount of experience himself. At the other corner is where things get dicey. Sophomore Dominique Ellis was the projected starter after his consistent playing time last season, but he transferred early last month. Redshirt freshman Gary Grant was his backup, but he has zero experience at the college level. Look for Morgan’s backup Koyal George to possibly slide into that spot while Grant gets acclimated.

At safety, N.C. State has senior Clem Johnson, who had a nice season last year despite fighting through injuries. Johnson will get some help from redshirt junior Javon Walker, who missed all of last season with a knee injury. Free safety is the spot currently held by redshirt sophomore Justin Byers. Byers started eight games last year and was looking to share time with Jimmaul Simmons at that position. That is, until Simmons decided to leave the team and withdraw from school.

The Pack learned of this on the first day of fall camp (four days ago). The loss of Simmons and Ellis mean little or no depth for the secondary. Some incoming freshmen will have to learn fast as the coaching staff will look for able bodies. The talent that the Wolfpack have in the secondary is good. The only problem is there’s not much of it.

Special Teams: The placekicking duties are safe and secure as redshirt junior Josh Czajkowski looks to build on his successful 2008 season. Last year, Czajkowski made 84% of his field goals.

A spot is open for a punter though as reliable Bradley Pierson graduated. Jeff Ruiz, Carl Ojala and Chris Ward will all battle for punting duties, though none have kicked in a college game.

The return men for State are some of the best in the league with T.J. Graham returning punts with Clem Johnson and kickoffs with Jamelle Eugene. Graham had a 25.1 yard kick return average last season; good for fifth in the conference.

Looking Forward The Wolfpack and their faithful have a lot to look forward to this season. Two non-conference opponents from two power conferences, along with a challenging ACC schedule should make this season a very memorable one. An eight or nine win season is certainly a possibility; as is a trip to Tampa Bay. If N.C. State can stay healthy and remain fundamentally sound, it should be as Coach O’ Brien said, “a much more competitive football team.”

Season Outlook: Wake Forest August 8, 2009 Expectations are slightly down this season for the boys from Winston-Salem. A year after finishing at 8-5 and 4-4 in the league, the Demon Deacons are back to getting no respect from the media. With a veteran coach and an experienced quarterback, one would think people would change their tune; though there is reason for concern. Wake Forest did lose two stars on defense to the NFL in Alphonso Smith and Aaron Curry. These two were playmakers for all four years as they lead a Deacon “D” that was consistently one of the best in the ACC. Replacing them won’t be easy, but with Head Coach Jim Grobe steady at the helm, Wake fans feel confident in their team’s ability to overcome all odds.

Strengths 1. Quarterback: Wake has one of if not the best QB in the league in senior Riley Skinner.

The record setting Skinner has been consistent for the Deacons over his career, completing a

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remarkable 67 percent of his passes. He needs just over 1,400 yards to become Wake’s all time leading passer and with atleast 2,000 yards in each of his first three seasons, it looks like the record will fall.

2. O-Line: Wake’s offensive line will play a big part in determining how successful the Deacons are this year. Seven players are returning who have been starters at some point in their career.

That depth gives Jim Grobe a lot of options up front. The experience on the line gives stability to the offense and their talented backfield also.

Weaknesses 1. Defense: Wake took a big hit after last season as senior’s Alphonso Smith and Aaron Curry were drafted by the NFL. Those two were arguably Wake’s best players. Smith at cornerback and Curry at linebacker weren’t the only two positions vacated last year though. Defensive Coordinator Brad Lambert lost seven starters from his unit and six were from his linebackers and secondary. In a year that the ACC is looking more “offense friendly,” Wake will need to find replacements on defense fast to stay in the hunt in their division.

2. Wide Receivers: I was tempted to make the defense both weaknesses since they lost so much, but I decided Wake’s receiving corps needs some work. The Deacons lost their top receiver from last year in D.J. Boldin who graduated. Boldin’s departure leaves Wake with only one man who had over 300 yards receiving last year. Though the Deacons have some talent at this position, the experience level is not that strong. Wake doesn’t need a 1,000 yard receiver; just consistent production from several guys.

Schedule Breakdown Baylor: A rematch of last year’s opening game when the Deacons won by 28. This game should be a lot closer, with Baylor’s program on the rise. Wake gets the edge with an All-Conference quarterback at home. Win Stanford: The ACC didn’t fare well in their meetings with the Pac-10 last year, so this game is important. Stanford isn’t a pushover, but Wake is more talented and gives the ACC some bragging rights. Win Elon: No problem here for Wake as they send Elon down the short trip back home. Good tuneup before conference play. Win @Boston College: Wake’s first road game of the year is a tough one. BC is breaking in a new QB and a new coach, but there is some talent on their roster. Wake’s mistakes that didn’t cost them a week ago cost them now. Loss N.C. State: This rivalry goes back many years, though the games in more recent memory come into play here. State got the win at home last year, but Wake has won three out of the last four.

Riley Skinner picks apart N.C. State’s secondary as two talented QBs duke it out. Win Maryland: The Terrapins, like the Deacons, lost a lot of players last year too. They do have talent at the runningback position though, as well as quarterback. Wake gets revenge for last year’s 26-0 beating and fans in Winston-Salem start getting excited. Win @Clemson: After a couple of ACC wins, people start to think about Wake Forest as a contender in the Atlantic Division. Those thoughts quickly stop after the Deacon’s visit to “Death Valley.”

The Tigers overwhelm Wake with their speedy playmakers and rowdy fans. Loss @Navy: After playing the Midshipmen twice last year you would think Wake would grow tired of playing Navy. The two know each other well though and a good battle ensues. Navy is one

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or two plays from winning this game, but they are unable to make them as Wake pulls off a hard fought road win. Win Miami: Another ACC foe comes to BB&T Field, but this one has something different. A much improved Miami team comes to town displaying their speed and tenacity the entire game.

Wake didn’t know Hurricanes could be this powerful so far inland. Loss @Georgia Tech: The last time these two teams met was the 2006 ACC Championship game.

Wake defeated GT in a barn-burner 9-6. A lot has changed in three years though, as Paul Johnson’s option attack has the Jackets lighting up the scoreboard. “The Ramblin’ Wreck” takes care of business against a Wake team with not enough defense. Loss Florida State: After a couple of difficult ACC defeats, Wake Forest is actually happy to see the Seminoles stop by for a visit. Recently, Wake has had FSU’s number, winning the past three they’ve played. That confidence enables the Deacons to play well, but Florida State needs this game to compete for the division. Loss @Duke: With the Devils turning their program around, this is a very competitive game. Duke has gotten used to the idea of winning, so every opponent faces a challenge. Two great quarterbacks finish out their careers in Riley Skinner and Thaddeus Lewis. Duke hangs with Wake the entire way until Skinner’s clutch ability bails out the Deacons. Win Outcome: After starting the season 5-1, Wake fans were hoping for a better finish than 7-5.

Their 3-5 record in the conference is a little disheartening as well. Having Riley Skinner and an experienced O-Line can’t make up for all that was lost on the defensive end. Life without Riley Skinner begins as he goes down as one of the greatest players in Wake Forest history. The Deacons have talent, but just not enough in crucial places to compete for a division title.

Season Outlook: Duke August 9, 2009 Don’t look now, but Duke Athletics is being talked about in August. People aren’t talking about Coach “K” and the prospects of basketball season though. They are talking about Duke Football. Head Coach David Cutcliffe has ignited a spark in the Blue Devil program not seen in many years. With a veteran quarterback returning in Thaddeus Lewis and another year under Cutcliffe’s system, this Duke team should continue their forward strides. Duke has a competitive, yet manageable schedule for 2009, as they look to build on their 4-8 mark from last year.

Strengths 1. Quarterback: Thaddeus Lewis has steadily improved his game throughout his first three seasons. The senior ranks first in passing yards and passing touchdowns among active ACC players. He also led an offense that gained more than 300 yards a game last year. Lewis’ progress is a microcosm of Duke Football’s progress as a whole. It didn’t happen overnight, but the positive changes are taking place slowly but surely. With an experienced Lewis at the helm again this year, you can never count the Blue Devils out.

2. Running Backs: This position should be filled with a lot of depth for the Blue Devils. This time last year, Duke was dealing with the loss of their leading rusher from 2006 and 2007 in Re’Quan Boyette. Boyette underwent season ending knee surgery in early August, but thanks to a Medical Redshirt, is cleared to play his final season. He is joined by his 2008 replacements, Jay Hollingsworth and Tony Jackson. The two combined for almost 1,000 yards last year on the

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ground and through the air. The addition of Boyette and the experience gained last year by Hollingsworth and Jackson, give the coaching staff at Duke a lot of options.

Weaknesses 1. Offensive Line: One of Duke’s strengths last year could be in for a makeover in 2009.

Last year, the O-Line reduced the team’s sacks allowed total to 22. That number is especially impressive considering Duke allowed 45 sacks in 2007. The dramatic decrease is a result of the stellar play from Kyle Hill and Bryan Morgan. Hill, a second team Freshman All-America last season, started all 12 games in 2008. He will move to left guard this season to replace graduate and three-year starter Cameron Goldberg. Morgan started all 12 games at center last year, though he and Hill are the only returning starters from the offensive line. With a veteran QB and depth at running back, the O-Line will need to mesh quickly for Duke’s continued success.

2. Linebackers: The Blue Devils have a number of positions to fill from their squad last year, but the linebacker spot looks to be the most vacant. Duke lost two of the three starting LB’s from last year in Michael Tauiliili and Marcus Jones. Duke does have senior Vincent Rey returning at middle linebacker, but two new starters at crucial positions will make things interesting. Coach Cutcliffe’s replacements will be Abraham Kromah and Damian Thornton. Both of these defensemen saw significant playing time for the Blue Devils in 2008, but it was mostly on special teams. Being the full-time starter at an important defensive position will be tough to adjust to.

Schedule Breakdown Richmond: The defending FCS (formerly IAA) champions come to Durham for a big showdown the first week of the season. This game is a good one because of the talent on both sides of the ball. Duke pulls out a hard fought win with a veteran quarterback and a new attitude. Win @Army: Duke goes on the road looking to build on their week one win over the Spiders.

Army plays tough at home, but in a rare statement during football season; Duke is too much to handle. Win @Kansas: The Jayhawks are coming off of an 8-5 record last year and have high hopes for this season. Duke looks to continue their undefeated season, but Kansas has too much offense for the Blue Devil “D.” Loss North Carolina Central: Duke faces in-state challenger NCCU in the Devils’ last non-conference game. Duke gets the win as Thaddeus Lewis and his young receiving corps begins to gel. Win Virginia Tech: The Hokies come to Wallace Wade Stadium and Duke sees a huge opportunity to bolster their bowl hopes in week five. Duke played well in Blacksburg last year, but VT has too many playmakers for an upset loss to Duke. Loss @N.C. State: Duke travels to Raleigh looking to avenge last year’s 27-17 loss to the Pack. That game was close to the end, with N.C. State making enough plays to pull out a victory. This game is close as well, but again Duke doesn’t have enough in the tank. Russell Wilson takes advantage of some weaknesses in the “D” as the Wolfpack steal one on the road. Loss Maryland: Duke is tired of losing close games. The Blue Devils take their off-week and focus on the fundamentals of the game. The extra practice pays off just in time for Maryland to come to town. Duke uses a balanced offensive attack and key defensive stops to shell shock the turtles. Win @Virginia: Feeding off momentum from their previous game, Duke rolls into Charlottesville with a lot of confidence. Virginia is ready though, as they remember Duke’s 31-3 win last year. A close

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game ensues, with Duke’s Thaddeus Lewis leading his team to back-to-back ACC wins. Win @UNC: This classic rivalry begins once more on the gridiron with last year’s 28-20 Carolina win fresh in the minds of the Devils. Thaddeus Lewis wants to send the nine Duke seniors out with a win against their rival, but this year it’ll be tough. Carolina is poised to make a run in the Coastal Division and T.J. Yates and company aren’t about to be stopped at home. Loss Georgia Tech: A difficult road loss to swallow lingers in the minds of the Blue Devils. They are physically and emotionally drained in an inopportune time. Georgia Tech and their highpowered offense roll into Durham and hand Duke a crushing defeat. Loss @Miami: Believe it or not, this is a winnable game for Duke. They allowed 49 points to Miami last year, but their defense comes ready to play in front of the Hurricane faithful. Thaddeus Lewis shows his supremacy over Miami QB Jacory Harris, but the Duke “D” just can’t make enough plays. Loss Wake Forest: Another winnable game for Duke as they face a mediocre Wake Forest team in their season finale. Riley Skinner and Thaddeus Lewis put on a show in Durham, but Wake gets the slight edge with more talent in Black and Gold. Loss Outcome: Duke ends the season at 5-7 overall and 2-6 in conference. A couple of different bounces by the ball though and the Devils could be bowling. This team has its opportunities, but it looks like the ACC will be a bit too talented for Duke to do any real damage. Make no mistake though; the Blue Devils are no longer the “cellar dwellers” of the ACC.

Season Outlook: Georgia Tech August 10, 2009 Expectations are high in 2009 for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. A year after posting a 9-4 record with a 5-3 mark in conference, “The Ramblin’ Wreck” look poised for a division title run.

In Paul Johnson’s second season, Georgia Tech returns 17 starters including preseason ACC Player of the Year Jonathan Dwyer. Dwyer, a recipient of the award last year, leads a Jacket offense that was tops in the ACC in yards per game with 372.5. With a high-powered option attack and veterans at every position, this year is a promising one for Georgia Tech.

Strengths 1. Offense: An obvious choice as the biggest strength of the Jackets is their offense as a whole. The option-style that Paul Johnson brought to Georgia Tech has been extremely successful so far. It never hurts to have talented players running the offense either. Quarterback Josh Nesbitt returns as the starter for Tech and did a great job running the “O” in 2008. Nesbitt finished with almost 700 yards rushing last year and proved to be an effective passer at times while throwing for over 800 yards. With a better grasp of the offense this year look for the junior to be a more efficient QB overall. In the backfield with Nesbitt is All-Conference running back Jonathan Dwyer. Dwyer spent his 2008 campaign racking up accolades including ACC Player of the Year and first team All-ACC. After rushing for nearly 1,400 yards in 2008, the explosive junior looks to lead Georgia Tech to another Conference Championship game birth.

2. Secondary: The secondary will be a strong point for the Yellow Jackets in ’09 as they return every starter from a year ago except one. Jahi Word-Daniels is the lone man absent this year, though he did sit out the last half of 2008 with an injured hamstring. The extra experience gained by his replacement and the fact that the rest of the secondary is still intact means the GT pass

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defense could be stingy this year. Morgan Burnett, the junior All-America candidate leads the way at safety. He led the Jackets in interceptions and tackles last year. Along with Burnett, Georgia Tech has Dominique Reese, Cooper Taylor, Mario Butler and Rashaad Reid. All four are talented at their cornerback and safety positions and add experience as all started at some point last year.

Weaknesses 1. Offensive Line: Going into last season, the offensive line of Georgia Tech was inexperienced and had little depth. This year is different in both areas, but with a catch. The Yellow Jackets will return three potential starters in Dan Voss, Cord Howard and Nick Claytor, but all are dealing with nagging preseason injuries. As various injuries occurred in 2008, replacements were found and spots were filled. Yet with the injury bug carrying over from late last season, the Georgia Tech coaching staff might have a lot of shuffling on their hands. With a powerful offense waiting to be unleashed, the question marks at O-Line will need to be answered quickly.

2. Defensive Line: Contrary to 2008, the D-Line for the Jackets will be inexperienced to say the least. Georgia Tech returns one starter from last year’s line, though the lone returner is a good one. Junior Derrick Morgan tallied 9.5 tackles for loss and 7 sacks from his defensive end position. Those stats, along with his 4 fumble recoveries earned him honorable mention All-ACC. After Morgan though, the D-Line is a little less clear. 2008 reserve Robert Hall looks to start at the opposite end position. Also vying for playing time will be Anthony Egbuniwe and Osahon Tongo. With many backups and freshman defensemen struggling for a spot on the line, Georgia Tech will be fighting inexperience for much of the year.

Schedule Breakdown Jacksonville State: Not a “cakewalk” of an opening game, as Jacksonville State is a competitor in the FCS. Georgia Tech doesn’t look past them though as they take care of business before heading into their ACC schedule. Win Clemson: An important game early on in the season for both of these teams. Last year’s game went down to the wire, with the Jackets winning late. Look for Tech to pull out a home win over a talented Tiger team with an inexperienced QB. Win @Miami: Interesting game here as both teams are battling in their division. GT got the best of Miami at home last year, but this is a different Hurricane team. This year, Miami has an off-week to steam about a loss to rival Florida State and that’s a bit too long in my book. Give the edge to the team that gained 472 yards rushing in last year’s battle. Win UNC: Last season, Georgia Tech gained the yards against Carolina, but couldn’t put up the points due to costly turnovers and poor capitalization. UNC was able to break it open in the fourth quarter, but this is a new year. Tech’s yards matter this year as they put points on the scoreboard and pull out a gritty, home win. Win @Mississippi State: The first of three SEC opponents for “The Ramblin’ Wreck” in 2009 and probably the easiest. Most polls picked the Bulldogs at the bottom of the SEC pack and for good reason. There are a lot of question marks for new Head Coach Dan Mullen’s squad and the Yellow Jackets crushed MSU 38-7 last year. History repeats itself. Win @FSU: Great game with loads of talent on both sides and a lot at stake. The two teams played a close game in ’08 with Georgia Tech winning by three. Both teams come into the game undefeated, but only the Jackets leave that way with a more balanced offense. Win Virginia Tech: Most polls have these two heavyweights at the top of the division and at the

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halfway point, they are. The Hokies were able to hold on to the win last season against the Jackets, but they did allow a lot of offense in the process. In the battle of the “Techs,” Virginia’s reigns supreme with a gutsy performance on defense and enough “O” to get by. Loss @Virginia: After having their undefeated season taken away, Georgia Tech is a little down. Most of the time Paul Johnson coached teams bounce back well after a loss; but this year is different.

The Jackets were hoping for BCS glory and with their hopes possibly dashed, they arrive in Charlottesville. The Cavaliers aren’t great this year, but there is some talent on their roster. They take advantage of the mentally and physically wounded Jackets and pull off the upset win. Loss @Vanderbilt: After losing two straight, Georgia Tech leaves their pity party and re-focuses on winning football games. Doing what they do best, the Jackets confuse the Commodores with their triple-option attack and get the win on the ground. Win Wake Forest: Seeking a 10 win season, Georgia Tech eyes their remaining three game stretch.

They greet the visitors from Winston-Salem with a bevy of talent from a balanced offensive output, to a solid defensive performance. Wake is barely able to muster any momentum on any side of the ball. Win @Duke: The Yellow Jackets’ next test is a familiar foe in Duke, but with a different attitude. The 2009 Blue Devils are loaded with confidence and are focused on correcting the mistakes of the past. Duke does correct some mistakes from last year’s 27-0 loss in that they do put some points on the board. The only problem is, Georgia Tech scores more. Win Georgia: Georgia Tech has righted the ship since their mid-season losing streak and is poised to win one more before heading in to the postseason. All that stands in their way is arch-rival Georgia. The Bulldogs are quite different than last year’s team though. Georgia has lost a lot of talent in QB Matthew Stafford and RB Knowshon Moreno. Those losses on offense hurt the Bulldogs as Georgia Tech rides the momentum of their final home game to a victory. Win Outcome: Georgia Tech has enough talent and experience to seriously compete for the Coastal Division crown. A win against Virginia Tech could put them in the driver’s seat, but that will be a challenge. Finishing up at 10-2 overall and 6-2 in conference play puts the Jackets in a tie for first in the division. Unfortunately for Georgia Tech, the tie goes to the head-to-head winner, which like last year is Virginia Tech. Don’t sleep on the Jackets though, as they are certainly ones to watch in the Coastal.

Season Outlook: Miami August 11, 2009 The Miami Hurricanes are coming off of a mediocre season in their eyes last year. Finishing at 7-6 and 4-4 in conference is not what a team with five national titles in their history is used to. There is some excitement swirling around Coral Gables in 2009 though. The inexperience of last year is gone and there are opportunities for “The U” to make some noise on a national level. With a competitive schedule and a lot of talent, Miami football seems to be heading in the right direction.

Strengths 1. Running Backs: The running back position looks to be filled with depth for Miami in 2009.

Junior Graig Cooper and senior Javarris James lead a backfield with a good deal of in-game experience. Cooper tallied over 800 yards on the ground last year, while James gained almost 300. Cooper was the workhorse for the ‘Canes last year with James backing him up. Look for

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those two and their deep field of backups to lead a potentially powerful Miami offense.

1. Special Teams: The special teams could be a huge boost for the Hurricanes this season.

Returning to tackle both of the kicking duties is junior Matt Bosher. Bosher finished the 2009 season making 18 of 20 field goals while not missing an extra point all year. Not only was the junior reliable on offense, his punting ability was also top notch. Bosher punted 69 times for an average of 40 yards a kick. Having a dependable kicker goes a long way in determining a successful season.

Weaknesses 1. Secondary: Miami’s secondary could prove me wrong here, but I believe going into this season there are some question marks. Gone is safety Anthony Reddick and cornerback Bruce Johnson. The two seniors combined for dozens of starts for the Hurricanes in their careers. The secondary played a big role in Miami’s success last year and with the loss of two veterans, others will be counted on. As always, there is some talent with experienced players such as Chavez Grant and JoJo Nicolas. The replacements will have some work to do though with a demanding 2009 schedule.

2. Quarterback: Last year, the Hurricanes entered the season with two options at signal caller.

After Robert Marve’s departure to Purdue, the QB position belongs solely to sophomore Jacory Harris. In 2008, Harris passed for almost 1,200 yards with 12 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.

Those decent numbers mostly came in relief as Harris only started two games in his freshman campaign. With not much experience, this season could be one filled with a lot of adjustments.

Being the everyday QB means more reps in practice and more pressure on gameday. Not to mention the fact that there is not much experience behind Harris either. This means Hurricane fans will be crossing their fingers that Harris is effective and doesn’t get hurt.

Schedule Breakdown @Florida State: A rivalry game is tough to open a season. It is especially tough when you are facing a more talented rival with a veteran QB and coach. Loss Georgia Tech: The Jackets ran all over the Hurricanes last year in route to a 41-23 win. The Miami “D” will have that in the back of their mind when the two play again, but it won’t matter.

GT runs the triple-option offense to victory. Loss @Virginia Tech: Miami’s third tough game is against the Hokies in Blacksburg. Randy Shannon and the rest of the ‘Canes’ coaching staff refocuses their team in time for an important divisional battle. Miami plays solid “D” and Harris manages the game well. Win Oklahoma: The defending runner-up in all of college football visits Coral Gables. The Hurricanes try to match the Sooners point for point, but OU has too much offense. Loss Florida A&M: After tangling with one of the nation’s best teams, Miami welcomes Florida A&M to town. The ‘Canes are grateful for some lesser competition as they get the easy win in front of their home crowd. Win @Central Florida: The ‘Canes battle another in-state foe in UCF. This game is a bit closer than the last one the Hurricanes played, but Miami is up to the challenge. This is a good game for Miami as they prepare for a tough ACC stretch. Win Clemson: A very similar team comes to Coral Gables in the Clemson Tigers. Clemson has a lot of speedy talent on their side, as do the ‘Canes. A good ACC battle takes place, with Miami pulling out a gritty home win over a Clemson team with too many question marks. Win

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@Wake Forest: A good Demon Deacon team welcomes the Hurricanes to town. Miami had a close road win earlier in the month and that confidence gives them a boost. The ‘Canes are vulnerable against a veteran QB, but their “D” makes enough stops and their “O” gets the job done. Win Virginia: The Hurricanes are on a nice roll now and their confidence is scary. They seem to be getting more comfortable as the season goes on and that’s bad news for Virginia. The Cavs, with question marks of their own, can’t keep Miami off the scoreboard as the ‘Canes take another one. Win @UNC: Miami can feel the opportunity in the air and they set their sights on Carolina. In a key Coastal Division matchup, UNC comes ready to play with a veteran QB and a coach who knows how to win. Loss Duke: After a tough road loss, Miami looks to bounce back against the Blue Devils. Miami almost dropped 50 on the Devils last year, but Duke’s “D” is better this year. Not good enough to hold off the ‘Canes “O,” but better. Win @South Florida: This game is a toss-up. Both teams are talented at various skill positions, which makes for an exciting season finale. USF gets the edge with a veteran QB and a raucous home crowd. Loss Outcome: The ‘Canes finish up at 7-5 overall and 5-3 in the league. This is another mediocre season for Miami and some call for Randy Shannon’s job. The truth is, he doesn’t have enough talent this year to make any real noise in the division. Shannon is a good coach, but he’ll need a couple more years to get Miami back to its national prominence.

Season Outlook: UNC August 12, 2009 The North Carolina Tar Heels are coming off an impressive 2008 campaign. Last season, the Heels won eight games and advanced to a bowl game for the first time since 2004. What is most amazing about a year ago is that the eight win total doubled the number of wins for Carolina in 2007. Head Coach Butch Davis has brought a level of excitement to Chapel Hill that has caught on throughout the entire fan base. 2009 looks to be promising for the Heels as they try to build on their strides from a year ago. Back is junior quarterback T.J. Yates, who with two years of starting experience now looks to take his play to the next level. Ranked preseason 20th in the country, the ‘09 Tar Heels have a lot to prove to keep their national recognition.

Strengths 1. Quarterbacks: When he wasn’t injured, junior T.J. Yates was an effective signal caller for the Tar Heels. Yates finished with almost 1,200 yards passing last year in only seven games.

His efficiency was also a plus with a high completion percentage and a good touchdown to interception ratio. Yates has made it a point this off season to work on his conditioning so he is less injury prone. With him in the game, UNC has a much better chance of winning.

2. Defense: The Tar Heels are fortunate in ‘09 in that they return a league high nine starters on defense from a year ago. Among those starters are All-ACC corner back Kendric Burney and solid linebackers Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter. Those three will lead a defensive unit that will look to improve on a ranking of 64th overall in total “D.” With nine starters returning though, look for the experience of last year to pay off as the defense takes positive strides in ‘09.

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Weaknesses: 1. Wide Receivers: Losing six receivers is never easy, especially when three are of NFL quality.

That’s what UNC has to deal with this year as Carolina lost a lot of experience from the wide-out position. Receivers Hakeem Nicks, Brandon Tate and Brooks Foster all moved on to the next level, leaving the Tar Heels without easily their three best receivers from a year ago. Somehow, Carolina will have to make up for almost 2,000 receiving yards lost from 2008.

2. Offensive Line: The O-Line is also a question mark for the Heels this season. With threeyear starters Garrett Reynolds and Calvin Darity gone, holes must be filled up front. Carolina does have fellow three-year starter Kyle Jolly back at left tackle and Lowell Dyer back at center, but that leaves three positions still up for grabs. Head Coach Butch Davis has said he would like to play as many as 9-10 O-Linemen in a game, but that tactic is risky. If players don’t step up to fill those voids, it could take the offensive line a while to gel.

Schedule Breakdown The Citadel: A nice opening game for the Heels as they attempt to get 2009 off on the right foot.

Carolina had trouble with last year’s opening day opponent, but that won’t happen here. Win @Connecticut: A tougher non-conference game for the Heels as they play in a rematch of last year’s big win over the Huskies. Though this year’s game is on the road, UNC still has too many weapons on both sides of the ball. Win East Carolina: A great, early season match-up between two up and coming programs. Both ECU and UNC are looking to build off their success of last year, but only one can get the victory here. The Heel’s defense still isn’t where the coaching staff wants it to be, but they make enough plays to silence the Pirates. Win @Georgia Tech: A key Coastal Division battle as two of the better teams in the league slug it out. Carolina was able to quiet the Jackets on the scoreboard last year as Georgia Tech only mustered seven points. The Jackets correct their mistakes from 2008’s loss and convert more opportunities into points this year. Loss Virginia: After a difficult loss to a good GT team, the Heels are feeling a little down. That’s good news for a young Virginia team looking for an ACC win. The Cavs got the best of the Heels last year and the result is the same in ‘09 as UNC comes out flat and can’t recover. Loss Georgia Southern: After two straight losses, the Heels need a game to get their act in gear.

They take their frustrations out on Georgia Southern just in time for their long, ACC stretch. Win Florida State: Playing in their third straight home game, the Heels meet the Seminoles from the Atlantic Division. On a Thursday night ESPN game, UNC displays why expectations are high in Chapel Hill. Playing well in all facets of the game, Carolina makes a statement against the ‘Noles. Win @Virginia Tech: Two consecutive Thursday night games mean more exposure for the Heels.

Playing against defending ACC Champion Virginia Tech also adds to the limelight. Carolina lost to the Hokies by three in 2008, so their confidence in this year’s game is high. UNC comes out strong and takes advantage of VT’s miscues on offense. Win Duke: Don’t look now, but the Heels are streaking. They’ve won three straight games with the last two being the most impressive. The streak continues against rival Duke, but not before being given a scare by Thaddeus Lewis and company. Win Miami: A talented Miami team comes to Kenan Stadium on a little streak of their own. Two

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of the hottest teams in the league battle not only for bragging rights, but for position in the conference standings. UNC is able to run and pass at will against a vulnerable Miami “D.” Win @Boston College: Palms are really starting to sweat in Chapel Hill now. Carolina fans can feel a divisional crown and a 10 win season coming. All that stands in their way is a tough road game before their season finale. Boston College is not as good as they were last year and that’s fine for the Heels, who beat them by 21 at home in ‘08. The Eagles put up a fight, but Carolina is too good and too hot. Win @N.C. State: UNC is now at 9-2 overall and at the top of the Coastal Division standings. The Heels make the trip to Raleigh to face their rivals in an important game for both teams. Carolina got drilled 41-10 by the Wolfpack in 2008, but this game is a lot closer. UNC plays well, but N.C. State makes more stops and more big plays on offense. Loss Outcome: UNC finishes the year at 9-3 overall and 5-3 in the conference. They end up third in the league behind Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech and those early losses come back to bite them. It is a successful season for the Heels, but a championship season is just out of reach.

There are just too many key holes to fill for the Carolina team this season.

Season Outlook: Virginia August 13, 2009 Entering his ninth season at the University of Virginia, Head Coach Al Groh is facing a lot of question marks. After going 5-7 in 2008, the veteran coach is beginning to feel his seat getting warmer by the minute. Though Groh has done a superb job while at UVA, mediocrity is something that no one wants to get accustomed to. That’s what makes the 2009 season that much more important. The Cavs return 11 starters from a year ago, with good depth at key positions. In what some consider a rebuilding year for Virginia, the Cavs have opportunities to surprise.

Strengths 1. Quarterback: With the unique situation Virginia has, this position can be seen as a weakness in some eyes. I’m taking the positive approach here as UVA begins the season with three potential starters under center. Senior Jameel Sewell is back after a year off, bringing 22 career starts to a young Cavalier team. He will compete with 2008’s main starter, junior Marc Verica. Verica has nine starts under his belt and has a valid argument to be this year’s starting QB. One more option at signal caller will be all around talent Vic Hall. The senior started the season finale against Virginia Tech last year and ran for over 100 yards. In his career, Hall has played corner back, return man and has been a cover man on punts and kickoffs. With three QBs with talent and experience, there are a lot of possibilities for the coaching staff.

2. Offensive Line: In 2009, Virginia has an experienced O-Line that should bolster a capable offensive attack. Led by senior right tackle Will Barker, the Cavs return four starters from a year ago. This group has combined to start 68 games in their career. That in game experience, coupled with a year to mesh could equal a good offensive output in ‘09.

Weaknesses 1. Running Backs: On paper, the running backs might not look like one of the Cavalier’s weak spots. Sure they lost their leading rusher from a year ago in Cedric Peerman (NFL), but five of the top six rushers from the team are back. Senior Mikell Simpson is the projected starter after being Peerman’s backup in 2008. Simpson had an average year last year, but had

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a break-out season in 2007. In that year, Simpson gained almost 1,000 total yards with most of his production coming in the second half of the season. After Simpson though, there isn’t much experience on the Cavalier roster. There is some talent down the depth chart, but almost all have been affected by injuries. A lot of pressure will be on Simpson this year, as he and an inexperienced backfield must balance the Virginia offense.

2. Wide Receiver: This position is a very thin one for the Cavs. Kevin Ogletree, Virginia’s leading pass catcher from a year ago is gone, leaving the receiving duties up in the air. Virginia’s depth chart lists the two starting WRs as Dontrelle Inman and Javaris Brown. Inman has 200 yards receiving in his two-year career and Brown has none as a redshirt freshman. Beyond those two, UVA has little experience with hardly a 100 yard receiver returning from 2008. In short, the running backs have more experience receiving than some of the wide-outs do. With three capable QBs, Virginia’s receivers will have to step up in order to fill a void in the offense.

Schedule Breakdown William and Mary: The Cavs open their season with a relatively easy home-opener. W&M is no pushover, but UVA is just a little too talented. Win TCU: A big opportunity early on in the season for Virginia to make a statement. TCU is looking to crash the BCS this year after coming close on several occasions. Virginia has home-field advantage, but it won’t be enough against a motivated Horned Frog team. Loss @Southern Mississippi: Virginia’s first road game of the year is no cake-walk. Southern Miss. is ready for the challenge against an ACC foe and they bring out their best. UVA is also prepared though, as someone out of the QB tripod has a big day. Win @UNC: Coming off a big road win, the Cavs are feeling pretty confident. Their next opponent is a team they beat last year in Carolina. The Tar Heels are trying to bounce back after a tough loss to Georgia Tech, but they aren’t really giving a young Virginia team much thought. UNC is caught napping as the Cavalier “D” comes to play. Win Indiana: After two exciting road wins, the Cavs come home for a bit of an easier test. Indiana hopes Virginia is too confident to focus, but Al Groh won’t let that happen. Win @Maryland: Three straight wins have the Cavalier faithful wanting Al Groh to run for President.

The campaign quickly comes to a halt though, as Virginia faces a good Maryland squad. The Terrapins got thumped in last year’s game to the tune of 31-0, but 2009 is a new season.

Maryland outworks the Cavs and puts up points Virginia can’t compete with. Loss Georgia Tech: After being “shell shocked” a week ago, the Cavs look to right the ship against one of the best teams in the ACC. Virginia beat the Jackets last year and can’t wait to comfort them this year after their loss to Virginia Tech. The Cavs like catching teams on emotional highs and lows as they stop GT’s option attack and look crisp on offense as well. Win Duke: UVA has now tied its win total from all of 2008 and looks to add to it against up and coming Duke. The Blue Devils got the better of the Cavs last season in a 31-3 route, but the Cavs are a rejuvenated team. They play well at home and have a chance to win late, but the Cavalier “D” can’t stop Thaddeus Lewis and the Duke offense. Loss @Miami: The Cavaliers are scratching their heads now after a stretch where they beat some of the best teams in the league only to lose to Duke. UVA now becomes the victim of not controlling their emotions as Miami gives the home crowd a show. Loss Boston College: An interesting game here, as these two teams have a lot of story lines coming

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in. BC has been grooming a new QB with a brand new coach, while UVA has been mixing in three different signal callers with a veteran coach. This is a good game until the fourth quarter, when BC’s O-Line displays their dominance and the Eagle offense prevails. Loss @Clemson: Cavalier fans are getting nervous. Three weeks ago, Virginia was sitting pretty at 5-2 and fans were figuring out bowl transportation. Now, the Cavs face two final games against two of the more talented teams in the conference. Virginia’s youth and the playmakers of Clemson mean a loss for the road team. Loss Virginia Tech: The scenario could not be filled with more opportunity for the Cavs. To get to 6-6, just beat your arch rival at home in the season finale. Too bad your arch rival is one of the top 10 teams in the country and the defending ACC Champion. Loss Outcome: The Cav’s promising start to the season ends in disappointment as Virginia finishes 5-7 and 2-6 in the league. The poor ending to the year blinds fans to the fact that a 5-7 record, with the current Cavalier team, really isn’t that bad. Sure three options at QB is a good start, but other positions need to be solid in order for a successful season to occur. Al Groh’s job will be called into question, but should be safe as this veteran leader is still one of the top coaches in the conference.

Season Outlook: Virginia Tech August 14, 2009 2009 looks to be a potential year in the spotlight for the Virginia Tech Hokies. A year after winning the ACC and the Orange Bowl, the two-time defending ACC Champs will try to make a bigger splash nationally. With the constant battle of conference supremacy, all eyes are on Virginia Tech to see if the Hokies can produce a national title contender for the ACC. Strengths 1. Wide Receivers: Tech returns both starters from last season in Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale. The sophomores had solid years in ‘08, hauling in over 60 passes combined for close to 900 yards. They will be facing stiff competition from young backups in Xavier Boyce and Dyrell Roberts. Boyce medically redshirted last year, but was named one of the most improved players on the roster after a great ‘09 spring. Roberts saw action in every game last year, gaining over 200 yards receiving. I’ll also throw Tight End Greg Boone into the mix as the redshirt senior is an effective pass catcher as well. Boone was third on the team last year in receptions and will provide much needed veteran leadership this fall.

2. Secondary: With the departure of one of VT’s best defenders in Victor “Macho” Harris, the Hokies seem to still be strong in the secondary. Senior Stephan Virgil has a ton of starting experience and will take his play-making skills to the boundary corner position. At the field corner position will be redshirt junior Rashad Carmichael. Though he’s the least experienced in the secondary, he did make an appearance in every game last year and will have a lot of veterans around him. Those other veterans are free safety Kam Chancellor and rover Dorian Porch. Those experienced seniors lead a Hokie defense that will be greatly depended on in ‘09.

Weaknesses 1. Running Backs: A couple of days ago, this position was a strength for the Hokies. That was before the Hokies lost sophomore sensation Darren Evans to a season ending ACL injury.

Evans ran for over 1,200 yards in 2008 and was going to carry a lot of the load this year. The

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loss of Evans means Garner High School standout Josh Oglesby is now the number one back.

The redshirt sophomore has some in-game experience, but none being the full-time starter.

Along with Oglesby, the Hokies will use redshirt freshman Ryan Williams and senior Kenny Lewis Jr. Lewis started the first six games for VT in ‘08 before a torn Achilles tendon ended his year.

Though there is some talent in the Hokie backfield, experience will need to be gained quickly for Tech’s ground game to succeed.

2. Linebackers: The Hokies begin the 2009 season having to replace starting linebackers Brett Warren and Purnell Sturdivant. Filling in for Warren at the “Mike” linebacker spot is redshirt sophomore Barquell Rivers. Rivers was a reserve last year but did get some playing time throughout the season. Replacing Sturdivant at “Backer” will be sophomore Jake Johnson.

While playing as a reserve last year, Johnson spent a lot of time on special teams. These inexperienced defensemen will look to redshirt senior Cam Martin at the “Whip” linebacker position. Martin has a good number of starts under his belt and is a solid all-around athlete.

Martin will need to work with the younger linebackers as they attempt to mature quickly. Those are key positions to have inexperienced players at.

Schedule Breakdown: Alabama (in Atlanta): The first game of the season for the Hokies is a huge one. Two top 10 teams battle it out in an ACC vs. SEC challenge. On a neutral site, the Hokies get the edge with an experienced QB in junior Tyrod Taylor. Win Marshall: After a gritty win on national television, the Hokies come home to a bit of an easier test. The Thundering Herd can’t muster any “O” against a solid Virginia Tech “D.” Win Nebraska: A rematch of last year’s thriller in Lincoln. VT won that game 35-30, but the Corn Huskers want revenge. It’s tough to get it though in Blacksburg. Win Miami: The Hokies stay home for their first ACC test. Miami got the better of Tech last season, but this year the game is in Blacksburg. The Hurricanes have a plan of attack though as they make the Hokie offense one dimensional. Loss @Duke: VT’s perfect season is gone, but Frank Beamer’s teams don’t stay down long. The Hokies work on their running game and display that anyone can run behind their offensive line. Win Boston College: These two teams have met in the past two ACC Championship games, with VT winning both. Last year, the Hokies and Eagles split the two games they played, but both teams are different in ‘09. With a new QB and a new coach, Boston College can’t hang with Tech. Win @Georgia Tech: This game is a crucial one as both teams come in battling for Coastal Division supremacy. Not to mention that Georgia Tech is currently undefeated. With great defensive play against the option and timely scores, Virginia Tech knocks the Jackets off their temporary throne. Win UNC: Did I say that Frank Beamer’s teams never get down? Well that may be, but every team is susceptible to being too confident. After knocking off the Yellow Jackets, the Hokies feel like the BCS is still within their grasp. They get caught thinking too far ahead as Carolina comes in motivated to steal one on the road. Loss @ECU: Looking to finish their season strong, the Hokies travel to Greenville, NC to face ECU. The Pirates shocked Tech in last year’s season opener and the Hokies haven’t forgotten. Tech comes out clicking on all cylinders as the Pirates don’t have enough “D” or “O.” Win @Maryland: Virginia Tech is on the road once again to face Atlantic Division foe Maryland.

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The Terrapins have become the ACC’s “box of chocolates” in recent years because with every Maryland game, “you never know what you’re going to get.” The Hokies come prepared though, showing their talent at every position. Win N.C. State: A much improved Wolfpack team visits for the first time since 2004. The Wolfpack won that game in Blacksburg by a 17-16 score and most expect this game to be close as well.

State’s secondary is still a question mark and the Hokie offense makes enough plays to send the Pack home with a loss. Win @Virginia: It’s senior day in Blacksburg and the Hokies welcome their in-state rival Virginia.

The Cavaliers might have the most question marks in the ACC, but they’ve done their best to work them out as the season has progressed. Virginia Tech’s defense has too many playmakers though, as Virginia can’t get anything going offensively. Win Outcome: The Hokies finish ‘09 with a 10-2 record and a 6-2 mark in conference. That record ties them with Georgia Tech, but the Hokies get the tie breaker after beating the Jackets earlier in the year. Virginia Tech’s prospects this year are pretty good with a veteran quarterback and experienced players at key positions. The loss of Darren Evans hurts, but capable backups are waiting in the wings. Many are hoping that Tech can be the ACC’s national title contender, but I don’t see it. There is potential, but the Hokies come up short compared to other national powers.

Get Pumped!

August 20, 2009 Today marks exactly two weeks until the start of football season! NCSU faces off against South Carolina on Thursday, September 3rd, which means the excitement level is at an all-time high.

To make your hair stand up a little bit more, here is a video the ACC has put out in preparation for this season. Enjoy! http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/z5ADK/hash/8w0bzg5n.swf?v=1107243800406&ev=0 By the way, check back later for stories on the battle for Nate Irving’s linebacker spot and quarterback Russell Wilson.

In Case You Haven’t Heard….

August 24, 2009 Earlier this month, the Princeton Review posted their list of top public colleges across the U.S. and Canada. Their rankings were based on the top value for college overall and used formats such as Academics, Campus Life and Admissions. Out of all the public universities in the U.S. and Canada, N.C. State came in as the sixth best value. What is especially impressive is that no other North Carolina school, public or private made the Review’s top 10. Go State!

Baker Earns Starting Job August 28, 2009 It’s official! Toney Baker is back. N.C. State announced today that senior running back Toney Baker will start September 3rd against South Carolina. Baker, who has missed the past two seasons with a nagging knee injury, beat out fellow senior Jamelle Eugene for the job. This

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doesn’t mean that Eugene won’t see a lot of action though, as he has been highly productive during Baker’s two year absence. Eugene and Baker could easily swap starting roles for the rest of the season. Putting Baker as the starter shows the confidence the coaching staff has in him despite this being his first full season since 2006. With Baker and Eugene anchoring the ground game, look for the Pack’s offense to gain some balance in ‘09. One thing’s for sure, it’s great to have Toney back!

Wolfpack Depth Chart August 28, 2009 Here’s a link to the 2009 N.C. State depth chart. This is subject to change of course with the possibility of injuries and the emergence of players at various positions. So far though, the Wolfpack look solid. (Note the story below about the addition of Toney Baker to the starting “rotation”)

College Colors Day August 29, 2009 Hey guys. I just wanted to fill you in on an important date coming up. Friday, September 4th is College Colors Day. This is a time for you to show your school spirit all day long! For us “Wolfpackers,” lets wear our red and white proud. Heck, why not wear your school colors everyday? It works for me! In case you need another reason to participate in College Colors Day, Friday is the day after N.C. State’s season opener. Hopefully, we’ll be donning the red and white and celebrating a win.

P.S. Be sure to check back tomorrow for stories on the Wolfpack’s “Road to Tampa Bay” and the task of replacing linebacker Nate Irving.

Tampa Bay: The Ultimate Goal August 31, 2009 For N.C. State, the “Road to Tampa Bay” begins Thursday night at Carter-Finley Stadium. In a nationally televised game that kicks off the 2009 college football season, the Wolfpack will take on the Gamecocks from South Carolina. Though the Pack will play atleast 11 more games after that, there are some issues that will need to be addressed and continually monitored as the season progresses. In this preseason segment, we’ll look at what could propel the Wolfpack to the championship game on December 5th and what could hinder their journey.

What Could Get Them There:

Offensive Production - N.C. State has the potential to be one of the more explosive offensive teams in the ACC this season. All Conference QB Russell Wilson has been steadily improving in his second year and capable backup Mike Glennon is a reliable second option. Though the offense shouldn’t miss a beat with the highly touted Glennon, it will be Wilson’s play that could very well decide the Wolfpack’s future. When he was healthy, Wilson was the best quarterback in the conference last year. His ability to make quick decisions turned busted plays into touchdowns. As a dual-threat QB, Wilson was able to run circles around defenders while also getting the ball to other playmakers. Last season, the redshirt freshman threw for

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17 touchdowns with only one interception. His 249 pass attempts without an interception is currently the nation’s longest active streak. Along with his impressive passing numbers were his equally remarkable rushing statistics. Wilson amassed almost 400 yards on the ground in ‘08 and his scrambling ability kept defensive coordinators scratching their heads.

Along with the quarterbacks, playmakers in the backfield and receiving corps look to shine in ‘09. Seniors Jamelle Eugene and Toney Baker will lead a deep and talented running back crew for the Wolfpack. Eugene, who has rushed for over 1,000 yards in the past two seasons combined welcomes the return of former starting half back Toney Baker. Baker is fully recovered from a knee injury that kept him out two full seasons. Both backs have big play ability and can be depended on to keep the offensive attack balanced.

The receiving corps is also a deep position for the Wolfpack in 2009. Owen Spencer was Russell Wilson’s favorite target last year as he set a new ACC record with a 22.3 yards per catch average.

Spencer’s deep threat ability is coupled with the return of experienced receivers in Jarvis Williams and T.J. Graham. With Williams’ height and Graham’s speed, they both present difficult challenges for defenders. Fans should also be on the lookout for wide receiver Donald Bowens. The redshirt junior missed all of last season with a stress fracture in his back. When healthy, Bowens was one of the Pack’s more talented receivers tallying almost 600 receiving yards in ‘07. Look for his return around early October, as he recovers from off-season knee surgery. If all of these pieces mesh together, it could be an exciting season filled with thrilling possibilities for the Pack.

What Could Hold Them Back:

Defensive Secondary - N.C. State had the worst pass defense in the league last year, allowing just under 250 yards a game through the air. That statistic is very difficult to overcome during the season, so 2009 has got to be different if the Wolfpack want to continue making positive strides. The problem is, many of the same personnel are back from that less than stellar unit of ‘08. Add to that the departure of cornerback Dominique Ellis and safety Jimmaul Simmons and last year’s worst pass defense has more questions to answer. Ellis and Simmons were battling for starting roles and their absence (both left the team) leaves the secondary very thin.

Junior DeAndre Morgan is the veteran of the group, playing over 1,300 snaps from his cornerback position. According to the Wolfpack Depth Chart though, redshirt freshman C.J. Wilson has beaten out Morgan for the starting job. With State’s season opener less than a week away, lets hope Wilson is a quick learner. Another player that will have to learn on the job is Koyal George, who will start at the other corner position. George, a former walk-on wide receiver, will have his athletic ability tested early on, as will Wilson. The safety positions are a little less question filled with Clem Johnson (SR) and Justin Byers (SO) returning for the Pack.

Both players saw considerable action last season while starting and coming in as reserves.

Johnson’s playing time was limited in 2008 though, as he battled through injuries. Also getting caught by the injury bug was fellow safety Javon Walker. Walker missed all of last season after reconstructive knee surgery and was hoping to be back in time for fall camp. Walker has had a history of injuries so his ability, while needed, could be limited.

What This Means: All in all, the Wolfpack secondary is a thin, inexperienced group. There is some talent in the starters and some of the reserves, but this unit will need to gel quickly and improve on last year’s pass defense. I will say this, if there’s any coaching staff that can mold and teach a young defensive secondary, it’d be the staff at NCSU.

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With eight home games, this season is definitely a promising one for the Wolfpack. Key players are back at important positions as the team will look to build off their late season success of 2008. The Atlantic Division is a difficult one, but with a couple of key wins here or there, State could find themselves at the top. The ACC will be competitive once again, but that’s what makes every game count.

NCSU Injury Report September 1, 2009 Here’s a link to ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich [http://espn.go.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/2815/ncstate-injury-report-cb-morgan-out-for-opener]. She just posted N.C. State’s injury report before the South Carolina game, so I thought I’d pass it along to you. A key addition to the report is corner back DeAndre Morgan who will miss the opener with an ankle injury. Morgan wasn’t slated to start, as redshirt freshman C.J. Wilson earned the nod, but this is still a significant loss to an already thin secondary.

The Day is Upon Us September 3, 2009 Well State fans, it’s finally here. The day we’ve been waiting for since December 30th. Of course that was the day after N.C. State’s 29-23 loss to Rutgers in the PapaJohns.com Bowl. It would be the start of an eight month period filled with anxiousness and hopefulness for 2009. In less than 19 hours (and yes I am revealing what time I am writing this), the Wolfpack will take the field against the South Carolina Gamecocks. Carter Finley Stadium will be rocking with close to 60,000 strong ready to witness the first great gift of autumn; college football!

I know I promised a blog about the battle for weakside linebacker, but instead of a separate piece about Dwayne Maddox and Terrell Manning, I’ve meshed that story in with my Pregame Preview. Seeing as the position will play a big role in tonight’s game, I felt it was a poignant addition. The preview of tonight’s match-up will be posted shortly and will be featured all day tomorrow. Thanks for reading and as always, Go Pack!!!!

N.C. State vs. South Carolina: Preview September 3, 2009 The eyes of the college football world will be focused on Carter-Finley Stadium later this evening. In a key, season opening match-up, two BCS opponents will meet on the gridiron just as they did a year ago. This time though, South Carolina will have to make the short trip up north to Raleigh. The Gamecocks will be greeted by Wolfpack Nation, hungry for a win to start the season. A “white-out” will also welcome the visitors as the student section will be donning white “Beat Carolina” shirts while waving red “Howl Towels.” The alumni and most other attendees will come in their usual “Wolfpack Red,” creating a lasting image of N.C. State pride for the whole nation to see. After the grills have been cooled and the corn hole games finished, fans will “pack” the historic stadium to witness another chapter in Wolfpack football.

Oh What a Difference a Year Makes N.C. State entered last season’s opener in a hostile environment with a freshman quarterback

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and a center who had never snapped the ball in a collegiate game. Consequently, not only did State lose 34-0 to South Carolina, but they lost their starting QB to a concussion. That game began a difficult road for the Pack as they would start the season 2-6 before going on a methodical late-season run. One year later, N.C. State has an experienced All-ACC quarterback and four starters (including the center) back on the offensive line. Not only are the Wolfpack’s personnel issues in better shape, but the anticipation for State football is as high as it’s been since the Philip Rivers’ era. So what will it take for N.C. State to win their first home-opener in Tom O’ Brien’s tenure? Let’s break down the keys for these two teams and preview the game itself.

Keys to the Game: N.C. State

Pressure Garcia - South Carolina will be unveiling new starting quarterback Stephen Garcia in 2009. Garcia started three games last year, but his experience was limited. The sophomore QB will most likely be susceptible to hostile environments, so Carter-Finley Stadium will provide a nice atmosphere. Also, the defensive front seven will need to break through a pretty good USC offensive line to rattle Garcia early. If defensive end Willie Young can create pressure early and often, it could be a long night for the South Carolina offense. Not to mention the havoc N.C. State’s secondary reeked on the Gamecock’s starter last year (4 interceptions).

Limit the Big Plays - Just because Garcia is young, doesn’t mean he’ll be perplexed all of the time. When he gets time to throw or the backs find a hole, the secondary needs to be ready.

N.C. State’s secondary is thin and USC’s Head Coach Steve Spurrier will look to exploit that on national television. The corner backs and safeties for the Pack need to make sure they’re all on the same page defensively. Along with that, fans should keep an eye out for the weak side linebacker position. This was held by Nate Irving until a car crash in June sidelined him for the 2009 season. The starter now is sophomore Dwayne Maddox who started four games for the Pack when Irving was injured last year. Maddox has some experience, but is now being pushed hard by redshirt freshman Terrell Manning. Manning sat out last year with a knee injury, but was a very highly regarded player coming out of high school. Maddox is the more physical of the two, but Manning has his teammate beat on quickness. The only thing holding the reserve back is his lack of experience. According to coaches, he just needs to get caught up. The weak side linebacker spot is a crucial one for any team, so both Maddox and Manning will be counted on to hold their own on defense. Senior defensive end Willie Young admits though, that if everyone is doing their job, “you won’t even know Nate is missing.”

Find a Rhythm - In last year’s opening loss to the Gamecocks, N.C. State was slowed offensively by injuries and the inability to find and maintain a rhythm. With another year of Coach O’ Brien’s offense under their belt, the Wolfpack “O” should be in a lot better shape this time around.

Unlike last year, there aren’t many questions at key offensive positions, leaving State with a lot of options come game time. If Russell Wilson and the offense can get into a “groove,” it would not only produce points but it would get the Wolfpack defense off the field to rest.

Keys to the Game: South Carolina

Manager Garcia - If there’s one thing Head Coach Steve Spurrier knows, its offense. The “Head Ball Coach” has been designing some of the most innovative offensive schemes practically since he began coaching. The one downside to his tenure at USC though, is his lack of talent offensively to run his schemes. With a new QB in Stephen Garcia, it’s not likely that Spurrier will go too “crazy” on opening night (though stranger things have happened). Garcia could be asked to be more of a “manager” of the game. What this means is he won’t necessarily be looked at to win the game, but he will need to get the ball to his playmakers. Managing a game

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is simply taking care of the ball and putting your team in a position to win the game. In a hostile environment, Garcia and the Gamecocks would like nothing more than to be in a position to win late in the game.

Defense Wins Openers - South Carolina’s bread and butter this year should be their defense.

Led by All-America Candidate Eric Norwood at linebacker, the Gamecock “D” could be counted on to win a lot of games this season. Four starters from last season’s front seven return for USC, giving the team a good deal of experience up front. The only weak spot is the secondary, with little experience and depth as well. Veterans are gone from last year’s group, which means youngsters are going to have to grow up fast. If the secondary does well for the Gamecocks though, their “D” could be one of the best in the SEC. Short Term Memory - The last thing Steve Spurrier wants is for his team to stroll up to Raleigh with 2008 in the back of their minds. Last season’s 34-0 USC win was probably one of the most unorthodox shutout wins ever. The Gamecocks were only up 13-0 going into the 4th quarter and State was still in the game. The Pack’s defense played well, but even four forced turnovers wasn’t enough. If the USC players come into their season-opener with the slightest bit of cockiness, the Wolfpack will smell it from a mile away. 2009 is a different season and this game is completely different than what happened a year ago. If the Gamecocks focus on the past during the present, the present won’t be a past they want to remember.

What This Means: Tonight’s College Football opener will be one filled with excitement for the fans. It has got a great venue and two great teams coached by two top-notch coaches. The Wolfpack will not be looking for revenge for last year’s shutout loss, nor will they be looking to avenge the 31-21 loss to the Gamecocks 43 years ago in the first game ever played at Carter-Finley Stadium (formerly Carter Stadium). Both teams will simply be looking to find some identity early on. Will South Carolina be another mediocre team in Steve Spurrier’s tenure with the Gamecocks? Or will USC surprise the media and overachieve, finishing near the top of the SEC? Will N.C. State build off their momentum from last year’s late season run? Will they continue their positive strides under the O’ Brien administration and be a dark horse in the Atlantic Division? Or will they buy into their hype too much, causing a lack of focus and inconsistencies on the playing field?

Will injuries once again be the Pack’s Achilles heel in their quest for national prominence? All questions won’t be answered after tonight’s game, but every little bit will get us closer and closer to discovering who our teams are beyond the paper. College football is now hours away and it all starts with N.C. State and South Carolina. I’ll see you at Carter-Finley!

Pack Drops Opener September 4, 2009 The N.C. State Wolfpack dropped yet another season opener, this time to South Carolina. For the second straight year the Gamecocks downed the Pack, as they quieted the packed house at Carter-Finley Stadium with a mixture of good defense and just enough offense. Check back later for my reactions to the game and feel free to leave your comments, criticisms and observations for discussion.

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N.C. State vs South Carolina: Postgame Reactions September 4, 2009 Where do I begin? This is obviously not the start N.C. State wanted, coming into a season with such high aspirations. The fans packed the stadium early ready to cheer their team to victory in front of a national TV audience. Students participated in a “white out” of Carter-Finley Stadium, wearing white “Beat Carolina” shirts to enhance the atmosphere. Anticipation and confidence do not win football games though, as N.C. State found out the hard way.

I believe the correct word to describe N.C. State’s performance against South Carolina is “passive.” There was no real sense of urgency for the Wolfpack, though they were facing a formidable foe in the Gamecocks. The passiveness began on offense, where QB Russell Wilson did not look like his All-ACC self from a year ago. In fact, Wilson looked more like a quarter back more concerned about breaking a record than winning a football game. Last night, he set the ACC record for consecutive passes thrown without an interception at 272. Wilson overtook former Florida State QB Drew Weatherford who had a streak of 270 passes without a pick.

Wilson looked slow in his running game and at times with his decision making. Now granted, Wilson wasn’t helped out my by his offensive line or receivers for that matter, but it felt like he and most of the NCSU team was playing not to lose instead of playing to win.

Offense: The offensive line was sketchy at best. At times, it seemed the only holes they were capable of opening were for the other team. The running game could never really get going and the line had a tough time keeping Wilson’s jersey clean. I will say though, that the USC front seven will probably turn out to be near the top of the SEC. That’s saying something because the SEC is always known for their defense. The talent of the Gamecocks’ d-line and line backers does take N.C. State’s offensive line off the hook for a moment, but Wilson was sacked numerous times and knocked down a few more as well. The o-line did lose starting left tackle Jake Vermiglio in the first half due to a calf injury. Vermiglio did not play the rest of the night, which may have caused some unfamiliarity as the game went on. Regardless, the offensive line needs to be better if State is going to have any shot at competing for an ACC championship.

The backs and receivers completed the “passive package” for the Wolfpack against South Carolina. Possibly slowed by an under performing offensive line, the running backs looked unsure at times where their holes were. Except for a few instances, the runs didn’t seem aggressive enough to make any progress. Not to mention the first play from scrimmage. After two years of rehabbing his knee, RB Toney Baker finally got on the field only to fumble on his very first possession. That turnover proved to be costly as South Carolina would later score the only touchdown of the game.

One of the biggest disappointments of the night was the receiving corps. Besides the dropped passes, which I might have a partial explanation for, the receivers lacked the aggressiveness needed to make any statements against the USC secondary. The Gamecock secondary was very vulnerable, being young and inexperienced in most positions, but the receivers failed to exploit this weakness. Instead, they seemed to back off at jump balls, all while turning to the referees after every incompletion looking for a flag. There were some pass interference calls during the game, but rather than looking for a penalty, why not earn a flag or make the catch? N.C. State’s receiving corps is talented, unbeknownst to some, but they must want the ball and take it. Now to the issue about dropped passes. The first one occurred when Jarvis Williams was streaking down the field in single coverage. Russell Wilson floated a pass his way, but before it got to the receiver, the

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defender was able to get a hand on the ball. The defender tipped it just enough to allow Williams to tip it to himself. The difficulty was very high on this attempt though, and Williams was not able to corral the ball after a series of tips to himself. The second dropped pass was a bit trickier. In this sequence, Russell Wilson was scrambling and found Jay Smith in the end zone. Smith was running along the middle of the end zone with two Gamecock defenders closely monitoring him.

Wilson lofted a pass to Smith and he leapt in anticipation of the ball. The only problem was, the other two defenders leapt as well and they were in front of him. The natural reaction would be to think that someone will come in contact with the ball, altering it’s path and making it almost impossible to catch. A better view of the drop might show that Smith’s vision was blocked by the two leaping defenders, effectively rendering him blind for a slight moment. Those are both speculations into why those passes were dropped, though it doesn’t take away from the fact that the receivers have a good deal of work cut out for them. The bottom line is that the entire offense was just too anemic for a home-opening, nationally televised game.

Defense: On the defensive side of the ball, the story was a little bit different. It can certainly be said that the defense kept N.C. State in the game Thursday night, but it can also be noted that USC’s offense wasn’t exactly a potent one. Quarter back Stephen Garcia hardly showed any inexperience in just the fourth start of his young career. He had enough time in the pocket to find an open receiver or tuck it and run himself. If the State front seven were able to put more pressure on the South Carolina QB, the outcome of the game might have been different. We might have seen a repeat of last year’s USC quarter back performance in which the Wolfpack forced four interceptions thanks to an aggressive strategy. All in all though, the defensive performance was somewhat encouraging as they forced one interception while only giving up the one score.

Play Calling: The last thing I noticed about the passiveness of this game was unfortunately, the play calling.

On both sides of the ball adjustments were needed to “right the ship.” On offense, we seemed very focused on establishing the running game. Granted, we do have two fine backs in Toney Baker and Jamelle Eugene, but South Carolina’s defensive front seven might be one of the best in the SEC. I have no problem wanting to balance the offense, but the clear weakspot in the USC defense is it’s secondary. Over 100 career starts were lost from last year’s team to this year’s and that youth and inexperience should have been exploited a bit more. We did challenge them a few times, with the outcomes being mixed, but us State fans have gotten so used to hearing “Wilson to Spencer,” we thought it was a given last night. The leading receiver on the night was tight end George Bryan, which tells me our offense was a little bit restricted.

When you’ve got an All-ACC QB and a slew of reliable receivers, you need to use them to your advantage. Offensively, it seemed like we didn’t fully utilize our assets.

Defensively, I was surprised we didn’t blitz more. With a young quarter back, in only his fourth career start and playing in a hostile environment, we should have pressured him more. We needed to take a few risks because an interception on an errant throw would’ve made CarterFinley erupt. Garcia’s one pick of the night was the result of a heads-up play by a defensive linemen. He had plenty of time in the pocket and stared down his receiver so long that people in Johnston County new where he was going to throw it. With a young signal caller, one would think USC would lean more on their rushing attack; and that’s just what they did. A few more guys in the box for the Wolfpack could have created more possessions for the offense.

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Bright Side: Though this game goes down as a dissappointing loss for the Pack, some good can still come of this. N.C. State might have come into this game a little bit over-hyped, reading too much into the media’s “dark horse” prediction. Now, State can get back to the fundamentals and play like a team determined to prove people wrong. When they were at their best last season, N.C. State played as if there was no tomorrow. In some cases there wasn’t because the Wolfpack started the season 2-6. During their four game win streak to end the year though, State was a team with their back against the wall. They opened up the playbook and took advantage of their opportunities. Look for a more fundamentally sound Wolfpack squad in the weeks to come and don’t lose heart. This is still a very good, very capable football team.

Picks of the Litter September 5, 2009 Good morning college football fans. The first Saturday of the season is upon us, which means we have all day to sit and watch it unfold. Seeing as that’s exactly what I’m about to do, I thought I’d try my hand at some ACC predictions. I’ll try to make sure I stay with my original picks from my early previews, but I can’t promise anything. Have fun watching, and GO ACC! Jacksonville State @ #15 Georgia Tech: Tech should have no problem with a nice homeopener to start the season. GT: 38 JSU: 13 Northeastern @ Boston College: This is a good game for the Eagles to break in a new quarter back; and a new head coach. BC: 28 NE: 10 Baylor @ Wake Forest: One of the better ACC games on tap today. Two great QBs going at it, with Wake taking it at home. Wake: 28 Baylor: 24 The Citadel @ #21 UNC: Carolina gets a nice opening game to work out the kinks early in the year.

UNC: 35

Citadel: 10

Middle Tennessee State @ Clemson: Clemson and new head coach Dabo Swinney get an easy W to start the year.

Clemson: 34

MSU: 10

William and Mary @ Virginia: UVA and their trio of QBs start ‘09 on a winning note.

UVA: 28

W&M: 13

Richmond @ Duke: The spiders are good, but the Devils are determined.

Duke: 28

Richmond: 17

#5 Alabama @ #7 Virginia Tech: No one is giving the Hokies a chance after losing their star running back. I am.

VT: 24

Alabama: 21

Maryland @ #12 California: Maryland has a tough road test to start the year. Too tough for the Terps to pull it out.

California: 28

Maryland: 21

Miami @ #18 Florida State: In this “Monday Night Football” game, the two rivals meet to begin

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the season. Many are picking Miami to upset the ‘Noles. I wouldn’t bet against Bobby Bowden though. FSU: 28 Miami: 24 Dog of the Week: Every week, I’ll try to pick one underdog not in the ACC to win a big game.

This week, my pick is Appalachian State over ECU. The Pirates are confident, especially with All-World QB Armanti Edwards doubtful for ASU. Could ECU be caught a little over confident?

ASU: 28: ECU: 21 Happy Saturday everyone. Now get out there and watch some college football!

Week 1 Recap September 7, 2009 Well ACC fans, this is not exactly how we wanted to start our campaign toward national football prominence. Four losses to BCS opponents, two losses to FCS competition and zero quality wins. The best win the ACC will get out of week one will be whoever wins the Miami, Florida State battle tonight. Speaking of that, the game tonight has significant conference implications.

The winner will surge to the top of the leader board in their respective division, making the loser a temporary cellar dweller in the other. For N.C. State fans, tonight’s game is especially important because going into the season the Wolfpack and the Seminoles were popular picks to win the Atlantic Division. If Florida State loses tonight to Miami, it puts the ‘Noles in an early hole in the conference race. The game tonight in Tallahassee should be a good one, with both programs eager to make positive strides in ‘09.

The ACC will look to rebound next weekend after an embarrassing opening to the start of the year.

The league will have a good opportunity to do just that, with many winnable games. The good news, for a conference searching for a silver lining, is that none of the tough losses this weekend were conference losses. This means that the race for Tampa Bay is still very much alive and well.

As we’ve seen in the past, the ACC is as unpredictable as it gets. Take what you will from Week 1, but let’s leave those head scratching moments behind and focus on the weeks ahead. The ACC may have just momentarily lost its footing climbing the ladder of national respect.

Pick of the Litter: Week 2 September 10, 2009 Well ACC fans, tonight is another huge night for college football. For the second straight Thursday, all eyes will be on the conference as #15 Georgia Tech hosts Clemson at 7:30 tonight.

The Jackets and the Tigers will attempt to follow in the footsteps of Florida State and Miami, who put on quite a show Monday night. I figured I’d atleast preview the game tonight and save the others for tomorrow.

Clemson @ #15 Georgia Tech: A great matchup between two of the better teams in the conference. Give the edge to Tech with a veteran coach and experienced QB. Not to mention home-field advantage. GT 28 Clemson 17

N.C. State vs. Murray State: Preview September 11, 2009 The Coastal Division did N.C. State another favor last night as #15 Georgia Tech held on late

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to beat Clemson 30-27. If an exciting game like that doesn’t get you pumped for week 2 of college football, I don’t know what will. Though the Wolfpack’s opponent this week isn’t as highly profiled as last week’s, the game itself is just as important. The Murray State Racers visit Carter-Finley Stadium Saturday night, taking on a Wolfpack team desperately seeking a reset button. N.C. State was brimming with confidence before last Thursday’s frustrating loss in their home-opener. Moving on from that tough game will be the key as the Pack don’t have too long to dwell on a missed opportunity. They have three straight home games beginning tomorrow, before heading into ACC play.

Drawing the Line If N.C. State had to pick just one area to improve upon after their season-opening loss to South Carolina, it would be the offensive line. Against the Gamecocks, the Pack allowed six sacks, while only producing three points on offense. Starting right tackle Jeraill McCuller knows the O-Line can do better. “It’s just unacceptable. Three points in any game against anybody is unacceptable. We’re a better line than that. We’re a better offense than that.” The Pack will certainly need to improve not just this week against the Racers, but in the future as well. The offensive line will play Saturday without starting tackle Jake Vermiglio, who is out with a lower leg injury suffered against USC. Starting guard Julian Williams will take Vermiglio’s place and Andy Barbee will start at guard. As the season progresses, State will look for some much needed production from the offensive line, regardless of who is in the game.

Keys to the Game: N.C. State 1. Find a Rhythm: This is a carry-over key from last week’s game because we never saw this.

The Pack was never able to get any kind of rhythm going offensively and that contributed to their loss. State can’t afford to come out flat against a hungry FCS (formerly division IAA) team.

We’ve seen what FCS teams can do against the ACC. The Pack will need to do a better job on virtually all facets, from blocking to pass catching. Russell Wilson will get his reps in this game, but don’t be surprised to see more Mike Glennon than we did last Thursday. Regardless of who the signal caller is, the Wolfpack will need to get into a groove early and stay there.

2. Play Smart: Rather than think of a clever way to say this, I’ll just tell it like it is. N.C. State had too many mistakes last week to win a football game. That being said, they were still in a position to win, which tells you the potential this football team has. This week, the Pack cannot afford to give Murray State any opportunities. That means State must cut down on the penalties and minimize the turnovers. Miscues like that can keep the Racers in the ballgame and the longer they’re in it, the more confidence they’ll play with. Not that they need much more after scoring 66 points last week.

3. Defensive Carryover: If the Pack could choose one thing to carryover from last week’s game (besides the atmosphere), it would be the defensive performance. Though the “D” did allow over 250 yards of total offense, they held the Gamecocks to seven points. That lone touchdown was scored on a 14 yard drive after a Toney Baker fumble. Though there were some missed tackles and assignments here or there, the “bend but don’t break” mentality worked for the Pack. The defense will need to step up against a capable Murray State offense. Look for a more aggressive N.C. State “D” as they look to set the tone early.

Keys to the Game: Murray State 1. Repeat Button: Just as the Wolfpack are looking for a “redo” button after last week’s game, the Racers are searching for a “repeat” one of their own. In last week’s 66-10 drubbing of

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Kentucky Wesleyan, Murray State scored seven different ways. Besides the traditional three of through the air, on the ground and by foot; the Racers scored twice on safeties and once each on a kickoff return and a punt return. That’s a lot of angles to cover in a pre-game film session.

Murray State will need to find some way to continue their offensive output against tougher competition. Two good options for the Racers are running back Charlie Jordan and quarter back Jeff Ehrhardt. Both players combined for four scores in last week’s route.

2. Stingy “D”: Last week, the Racers only allowed 164 total yards of offense. The only problem was that 152 of those yards came on the ground. Murray State has a short window to become run stoppers because State Coach Tom O’ Brien would like nothing more than to unleash his talented backfield against the FCS school. The Racers won’t have to deal with the full arsenal of the Wolfpack backfield though, as Jamelle Eugene is out for Saturday’s game. Eugene suffered a knee injury against the Gamecocks last week, leaving freshman James Washington to hold down the second string spot.

3. Limit the Miscues: Murray State’s goal in this game is to put themselves in a position to win.

The longer the Racers stay in the game, the more confidence they’ll play with. Knowing this, they cannot jeopardize their opportunity any more by giving N.C. State second chances. Turnovers and penalties will not only kill drives, but it could possibly kill morale. The Racers must take advantage of their opportunities in this game, while not giving the Wolfpack too many of their own.

What This Means: The Wolfpack should have a great opportunity to get back on the right track on Saturday night.

With Wolfpack Nation still right behind them, N.C. State will have another great atmosphere to play in. That hostile environment could loom large as the Racers come to town. Murray State hasn’t played in a stadium with anywhere close to the numbers of Carter-Finley, so look for some possible early-game jitters by the Racers. Also, be on the look out for a more fundamentally sound Wolfpack team tomorrow night. Something tells me they’ve shaken off the first-game rust and will be a lot sharper in game two.

Picks of the Litter Results: Week 1 September 12, 2009 Before today’s games get under way, I figured I’d tally up my first picks from the opening weekend. After all, if I’m man enough to make the picks, I should own up to the results. Here are my predictions from last week compared to what actually happened.

Jacksonville State @ #15 Georgia Tech: Prediction - GT 38 JSU 13 Reality - GT 37 JSU 17

Not bad if I do say so myself.

Northeastern @ Boston College: Prediction - BC 28 NE 10 Reality - BC 54 NE 0

BC’s offense had a bit more punch than I expected.

Baylor @ Wake Forest: Prediction - Wake Forest 28 Baylor 24 Reality - Baylor 24 Wake Forest 21 against a talented Baylor team.

The Demon Deacons just couldn’t finish their comeback

The Citadel @ #21 UNC: Prediction - UNC 35 Citadel 10 Reality - UNC 40 Citadel 6 season-opener.

Both UNC’s offense and defense came to play in their

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Middle Tennessee State @ Clemson: Prediction - Clemson 34 MSU 10 Reality - Clemson 37 MSU 14

The Tiger offense looked o.k. with their new, young QB.

William & Mary @ Virginia: Prediction - UVA 28 W&M 13 Reality - W&M 26 UVA 14 William & Mary fans)

Raise your hand if you saw this coming. (Put your hands down

Richmond @ Duke: Prediction - Duke 28 Richmond 17 Reality - Richmond 24 Duke 16

The Spiders just out-played the Devils in this one.

#5 Alabama @ #7 Virginia Tech: Prediction - VT 24 Alabama 21 Reality - Alabama 34 VT 24 Hokie defense.

Didn’t expect the Tide to roll out that many points on the

Maryland @ #12 California: Prediction - California 28 Maryland 21 Reality - California 52 Maryland 13 opener.

Maryland’s defense was highly over-matched in this

Miami @ #18 Florida State: Prediction - FSU 28 Miami 21 Reality - Miami 38 FSU34 rivalry game.

A lot more fire-power than I expected for an opening week

“Dog of the Week” Pick: Prediction - Appalachian State 28 East Carolina 21 Reality - ECU 29 ASU 24 The Mountaineers almost made me look like a genius with a ferocious fourth quarter comeback.

Overall That leaves my prediction record at 5-6. Ouch! Well I guess like the ACC, I have a lot of improving to do. Before the noon kick-offs today I’ll have my picks for week two. I’m already off to a good start with Georgia Tech and Clemson. Enjoy your Saturday everyone!

Picks of the Litter: Week 2 September 12, 2009 Good morning ACC fans! Week 2 is upon us and that means another great week of college football. N.C. State and Murray State are a little bit more than six hours away from kickoff so I’ve got to get ready to head out to Carter-Finley. There are some very winnable games on tap today for the conference, so hopefully the conference will fare better than last week. Along with the conference, I hope to fare a little bit better in my predictions as well. Cross your fingers! #19 UNC @ Connecticut: UCONN will prove more of a challenge for the Tar Heels than last week’s opponent, but the result should be the same.

UNC: 31 UCONN: 17 Stanford @ Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons will get back on track this week after missing a golden opportunity for a quality win in week one.

Wake: 28

Stanford: 13

Duke @ Army: If Duke wants to contend for a bowl game in ‘09, this is a must win game.

Thaddeus Lewis will make sure the Devils follow through.

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Duke: 31

Army: 24

Marshall @ #14 Virginia Tech: The Hokies will welcome the sight of Lane Stadium after a tough loss on neutral turf last week.

Virginia Tech: 31 Marshall: 10 Kent State @ Boston College: This is another game for the Eagles to get adjusted to their new QB. Look for BC to win big again in week two.

Boston College: 38 Kent State: 10 #16 TCU @ Virginia: The Cavs were the butt of every ACC joke after last week’s loss to William & Mary. This week they’ll hardly be a speed bump in the Horned Frog’s way.

TCU: 34 UVA: 21 Jacksonville State @ Florida State: Jacksonville State faces their second ACC team in as many weeks. Too bad it’s Florida State.

FSU: 34 JSU: 13 James Madison @ Maryland: This week, James Madison will look to be the third FCS team to take down an ACC squad. After a blowout loss in week one, the Terrapins have a lot to prove.

Maryland: 31 JMU: 17 Dog of the Week: This week, my “dog” comes from the game of the week in college football.

Though history is certainly on Southern California’s side, I’m picking Ohio State to win this match-up. The Buckeyes are at home and have an experienced quarter back in Terrelle Pryor.

One thing’s for sure, it’ll be a great game! #8 OSU: 28 #3 USC: 24 After Georgia Tech’s Thursday night win over Clemson, I’m already in the win column for week two! This week looks like a good week for the ACC and an even better one for college football.

Enjoy the games everyone and as always, GO PACK!

Pack Back on Track September 13, 2009 The Wolfpack bounced back from a tough, home-opener last week to dismantle the Racers of Murray State 65 - 7. N.C. State took an early 21 - 0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Both the first and second string offenses looked sharp a week after only producing three points against South Carolina. Though the competition this week wasn’t as difficult, an offensive output of this magnitude deserves some attention. The 65 points by the Wolfpack were the most scored at home in nearly 90 years.

It was a great game for both the team and the fans to get that winning taste back into their mouths. Later today (yep, it’s early), I’ll have a full recap on the game with my initial reactions and emotions regarding this solid, week two win. Until then, sleep tight Wolfpack Nation. We’re now in the win column!

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N.C. State vs. Murray State: A Closer Look September 16, 2009 This was what Wolfpack fans had been waiting for! A week after one of the most anticipated openers in recent history left many fans feeling blue, the Wolfpack turned in an overall performance worth celebrating with a 65 - 7 win over Murray State. To keep things in perspective, the Racers aren’t exactly an FCS power-house, but 65 points certainly sticks out.

The Pack looked efficient on offense and stout on defense as they gave the Carter-Finley crowd enough excitement for two games.

Military Gets Much Needed Appreciation: N.C. State celebrated Military Appreciation Day during week two, prompting a high level of energy well before kickoff. Among the pre-game festivities was a parachute landing from military personnel and a fly-over by four helicopters. The latter of the two proved most exciting and significant. Possibly scheduled to fly over the stadium just before kickoff, the four choppers whizzed by just as the Racer’s were taking their first snap from scrimmage. This led to most fans (including yours truly) looking up at the military display rather than the play on the field.

The play happened to be Willie Young bursting into the backfield to cause a fumble that was recovered by Leroy Burgess for the Wolfpack. Who knows? Maybe the Murray State quarter back paused to take a glimpse at the birds in the sky when he should have been looking out for Young. Regardless, that play set the tone early in what proved to be a dominating performance by the Wolfpack.

N.C. State’s Keys to the Game: Results

(”CHECK” = completed; “X” = not completed) 1. Find a Rhythm: Though a 65 point performance pretty much speaks for itself, it can still be said that the offense looked very crisp in week two. After some much needed adjustments following their home-opener, the offense looked fluid and found a rhythm early. 484 yards of total offense = CHECK 2. Play Smart: The Pack needed a game with no turnovers and few penalties and that’s just what they produced. There were no interceptions thrown by any QB N.C. State used and all of the backs held on to the football. The penalties shown in the box score are a little bit misleading though. The Pack had six penalties for 60 yards, but three of those came on the Racer’s lone scoring drive late in the game. Those three penalties totaled 45 of the Pack’s 60 total penalty yards. All in all, State didn’t give Murray State any extra opportunities. CHECK 3. Defensive Carryover: N.C. State’s defense was the only bright spot in last week’s loss to South Carolina. Against the Racers, the “D” picked up where it left off 10 days before as it allowed five first downs and 36 yards of total offense. The Wolfpack defense also forced three turnovers and practically lived in the Murray State backfield. CHECK Murray State Keys to the Game: Results 1. Repeat Button: Instead of a repeat of their week one performance in which they scored 66 points, the Racers could barely muster any offense all night against the Wolfpack. With the “repeat” button not an option, Murray State searched desperately for a “redo” button after a fumble on their opening play from scrimmage. It was neither the start nor the game the Racers were looking for. X 2. Stingy “D”: Murray State’s hopes of at least containing the Wolfpack offense were quickly

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dashed after a 28 point outburst by the home team in just over 15 minutes. It would not get any easier for the Racers though, as N.C. State poured it on scoring 65 points with almost 500 yards of total offense. X 3. Limit the Miscues: Murray State’s offense did not start out on a good note against the Wolfpack. Two series in and the Racers had two turnovers. The visitors would not be as loose with the ball as the game progressed, but the damage ignited a spark in their FBS opponent.

The Racers would later add another turnover, giving them three for the game. The trio of turnovers would lead to 21 points for the Wolfpack. X What This Means: Murray State ran into a hungry Wolfpack club looking to shake off their rust and get back on the right track. Though the Racers aren’t a “big time” opponent, a lot can be taken from this game. State’s offense looked very fluid and displayed its high scoring potential. The defense was reliable once again and made plays to get the offense back on the field. Probably the most important thing to take from this lopsided victory is the amount of players used by the Wolfpack.

Having a blowout like this gives coaches the opportunity to put players in who might not normally play. This not only gives key players a rest and keeps them from possible injuries, but it gives reserves much needed experience. This will pay dividends down the road as the season progresses. Since virtually every player on the roster participated in this win, I think it’s safe to say that this Wolfpack victory was a “team effort.”

Last Minute Pick of the Litter: Week 3 September 17, 2009 The big game is about to start, so here’s my quick, last minute prediction. #14 Georgia Tech: 28 #20 Miami: 24

Wolfpack Injury Report: Week 3 September 18, 2009 The injury report has been released for N.C. State this week. The list is beginning to grow so let’s cross our fingers for some speedy recoveries. Two new additions to this report are sophomore wide receiver Jay Smith and starting offensive lineman Julian Williams. The two will miss Saturday’s game against Gardner-Webb after being diagnosed with the H1N1 virus (swine flu). This is the first time swine flu has impacted the Wolfpack squad and let’s hope it’s the last. Another new arrival to the injury report is starting safety Clem Johnson. I saw Johnson hobble off the field toward the end of last week’s game and the chart has him out due to a thigh problem. Johnson will most likely be replaced by redshirt sophomore Justin Byers and Williams will have redshirt freshman Andrew Wallace fill in for him. Jay Smith is a reserve wide-out, so a young receiver will take a step up on the depth chart. A full preview of tomorrow’s game vs.

Gardner-Webb is on the way.

N.C. State vs. Gardner-Webb: Preview September 18, 2009 Week three of the college football season is upon us as the excitement level continues to rise

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for fans everywhere. At this point, most people have a decent idea of what they’re getting from their football team, but the remaining questions leave not only anxiety but intrigue. Can a team shrug off an early-season loss to find themselves in the thick of a conference race? Can a team with initial question marks continue their hot start as the season progresses? All answers won’t come at once, but each week brings us closer to finding the true identity of every team.

Eyes on the Prize This Saturday, N.C. State will again host another FCS opponent as Gardner-Webb visits CarterFinley Stadium. The “Runnin’ Bulldogs” are 2-0 on the season and are coming off a win at Western Carolina. Though some see this game as another blowout win for the Pack, Head Coach Tom O’ Brien knows the importance of keeping his team focused. Another 65 point effort may not be in the cards, but a solid win is all you can ask for. Gardner-Webb is a slightly better team than the Pack’s last opponent, but it still shouldn’t make too much of a difference. The main key for the Wolfpack will be keeping their concentration on Saturday’s game and not on their week four match-up with Big East foe Pittsburgh.

Keys to the Game: N.C. State 1. Consistency: In last week’s offensive explosion against Murray State, the Wolfpack were able to move the ball seemingly at will. That consistency not only gives the offense confidence heading into their next game, but it also creates a groove that the Pack would like to stay in for as long as they can. The key Saturday night will be not to play passively as they did in week one, but to play with aggression from the start. If the N.C. State is able to gain an early lead and build on it, it could be a long day for the “Runnin’ Bulldogs.”

2. Defensive Intensity: N.C. State’s defense has allowed a total of 14 points this year in their first two games. They’ve played with composure and not given up big plays in the secondary.

They’ll need to continue their consistency in week three as they will face a Gardner-Webb team that is averaging almost 43 points a game. The formula for the Pack will be to get pressure on the quarter back and keep him pressured for four quarters. If they can do that it will create more opportunities for the offense.

3. Young Guns: The interesting thing about N.C. State’s defense is that a number of the projected starters from fall camp are not starting. Young defense men, especially in the secondary have stepped up to gain more playing time. Though this might cause some worry amongst Wolfpack fans, it is actually a plus for the team as a whole. The more playing time these young guys get now, the more depth we have down the road. With injuries always a possibility, young backups will have opportunities to show what they’re made of. When those opportunities present themselves, they must take advantage of them.

Keys to the Game: Gardner-Webb 1. Avoid the Barn-burner: Though the “Runnin’ Bulldogs” have a nice scoring average for the season, chances are slim that they’ll sniff those numbers tomorrow night. Not to mention the fact that the Pack’s output last week was 65 points in three quarters. If Gardner-Webb is to have a chance, they will need to have this game be a low scoring affair. This philosophy worked last year, as the “Runnin’ Bulldogs” almost shocked the world with a narrow 10-7 loss to Georgia Tech. A performance like that shows that they are capable, which gives the visiting team hope.

A stout defense and an efficient enough offense could keep Gardner-Webb in the game.

2. Air it Out: It is no secret that going into this season, the weak spot in the Wolfpack defense was the secondary. Though they have performed well in their first two contests, they have yet to

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be truly tested. A key for Gardner-Webb will be to exploit any holes in the secondary it can find.

State has some inexperienced personnel and the “Runnin’ Bulldogs” would be wise to throw their way.

3. Limit the Miscues: I know what you’re thinking. This looks familiar right? It should, because it is the exact same key from last week. The only difference is that Murray State, whom the key was directed, did not heed my warning. The Racers had three turnovers last week that led to 21 Wolfpack points. If Gardner-Webb wants to make tomorrow night’s game competitive they need to take a lesson from Murray State and hang on to the ball. The more mistakes the “Runnin’ Bulldogs” make (turnovers or penalties), the more difficult it will be to win.

What This Means: Gardner-Webb will pose a challenge for the Wolfpack in more ways then one. They are a talented team and can also be easily overlooked. If the Pack can combine a stingy defense with an efficient offense, they should win this game. It may not be the same margin of victory as last week, but a convincing win will do just fine. A win tomorrow puts N.C. State above .500 heading into a crucial non-conference game with Pittsburgh. That will be the last non-conference game of the season as the Wolfpack will look to march on toward ACC play. It should be another great atmosphere at Carter-Finley Stadium. Look forward to seeing you there!

Picks of the Litter: Week 3 September 19, 2009 With a little more than 30 minutes left before today’s football action starts, I figured I’d better get a move on with my picks. Miami has already put me in the hole after throttling Georgia Tech on Thursday, so I’ve got some work to do. Week three promises a lot of great college football action, though there are only two games between top 25 teams (0ne of which being Georgia Tech at Miami). We’re almost done with the non-conference games which brings us one week closer to constant action between conference foes. Not to “toot” my own horn, but last week I fared pretty well with my picks, going 9-1. My one loss came with my “Dog of the Week” pick, Ohio State. This week could be a bit tougher, but I think I’m ready. I’m going to change things up this week and predict the N.C. State game tonight. Typically I don’t, but I have a specific purpose. ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich covers the ACC in her daily college football blog and every week she predicts games as well. I’d like to extend a challenge to her on ACC picks. We both tally our scores at the end of every week and at the end of the season, we’ll see who was better at predictions. I’m putting myself out there, but I figured it would add some excitement to our picks. Since I neglected to pick N.C. State’s first two games, I’ll give myself a win and a loss for those two weeks. I had the Pack going 2-0 after week two and here they are at 1-1. That brings my total wins to 15 out of 22, with Thursday night’s win by Miami (thanks Georgia Tech).

Heather is currently leading with 17 out of 22. It’s a long season though, so hopefully I can make it interesting.

East Carolina @ #24 UNC: Should be a great atmosphere for this in-state rivalry. I’m giving the edge to the Heels who have a lot to prove after squeaking out a win last week.

UNC: 28

ECU: 24

Boston College @ Clemson: This will be a big test for both teams as they look to get into the win column in the Atlantic Division. Clemson is at home though and has a lot of speed and talent.

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Clemson: 27

BC: 21

Duke @ Kansas: A great opportunity for the Devils to get some national exposure. Coach Cutcliffe will have them ready, but I’m not sure if Duke will be able to slow down the Jayhawk offense.

Kansas: 35

Duke: 24

Middle Tennessee State @ Maryland: A lot of people are picking MSU to give the Terps a run for their money. I think Maryland is tired of looking foolish in front of FCS competition.

Maryland: 31

MSU: 17

#19 Nebraska @ #13 Virginia Tech: Lane Stadium will be rocking on a Saturday afternoon with a top 20 team coming to town. If the Hokies can muster enough offense with Tyrod Taylor running the show, they should be able to win.

VT: 27

Nebraska: 21

Virginia @ Southern Miss: I’m pulling for the Cavs here, but a road trip to a solid opponent’s house does not bode well for Al Groh and company.

Southern Miss: 31

UVA: 21

Gardner-Webb @ N.C. State: The “Runnin’ Bulldogs” should give the Wolfpack more of a challenge than Murray State did last week. The Pack will be ready though and should handle the in-state visitors.

N.C. State: 38

Gardner-Webb: 13

Elon @ Wake Forest: Look out now Deacon fans. Elon may not sound scary, but their play worries Wake’s coaching staff. Wake should win this game, but Elon won’t go quietly.

Wake: 28

Elon: 21

Florida State @ #7 BYU: I’ll probably kick myself if it happens, but something tells me FSU could pull this out. They’re a better team than how they played last week, but there are still a good number of question marks. The safe pick is BYU and if the Seminole’s secondary doesn’t improve, the Cougars should win.

BYU: 28

FSU: 24

Dog of the Week: Like I said, I was tempted to put Florida State here, but I’ll find another “Dog” with a decent opportunity to win. I think I’ll go out on a limb here and pick Oregon to upset #18 Utah. The Ducks are playing at home and their coach is under a lot of pressure to win big games. Utah is a good team, but they have yet to play a quality squad. Oregon could be a tough test today.

Oregon: 31

Utah: 28

Well there ya go ACC fans. Enjoy the day and all of the college football action. I’m about to glue myself to my TV to watch several games at once! Then it’s off to Carter-Finley to catch the Wolfpack. Happy watching! Check back with you guys later. Go Pack!

Wilson’s Record Highlights Big Pack Win September 20, 2009 The Wolfpack offense continued to light up the scoreboard as N.C. State downed another

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FCS opponent Saturday night. Leading 31-0 at the half, the Pack rolled to an easy 45-14 win over Gardner-Webb. The “Runnin’ Bulldogs” were supposed to give the home team more of a fight, but the Wolfpack came prepared and dominated in week three. The 31 point victory was overshadowed by a monumental achievement by State quarter back Russell Wilson. The redshirt sophomore entered the game just 33 passes shy of breaking the NCAA record for most consecutive passes thrown without an interception. Wilson would finish the game completing 26 of 36 passes and keeping his interception-less streak alive. His record of 329 straight passes without a pick surpasses former Kentucky QB Andre Woodson’s mark of 325 from 2006-2007. Not only did Wilson not have a pick, he also threw for a career high 345 yards with four touchdowns.

Saturday night’s win was a big one for the Pack, who move to 2-1 on the season. Next up for N.C. State is Pittsburgh, who now stands at 3-0 with their week three win over Navy. Look for a complete recap of the Pack’s big win over Gardner-Webb tomorrow! Sleep tight ACC fans.

Another great week of college football is in the books!

Wolfpack Take Care of Business September 21, 2009 It was just another day at the office for N.C. State as they welcomed yet another FCS opponent to town. A week after erupting for 65 points against Murray State, the Pack continued their scoring onslaught with a convincing win over Gardner-Webb. N.C. State surged to a comfortable 31-0 halftime lead and didn’t look back winning 45-14. This was the Pack’s final tune-up before a huge non-conference battle with Big East foe Pittsburgh. The Panthers are 3-0 on the season and are the favorites to win their conference. The Wolpack’s week three win last night puts them at 2-1 overall with a world of possibilities at their fingertips.

Record Breaking Performance: It may have not been on Russell Wilson’s mind, but it sure was on the minds of all those cheering for him in Carter-Finley Stadium Saturday night. As each pass flew from his hand, anticipation hung in the air. Each throw brought the reigning All-ACC quarter back closer to an NCAA record. Then, with a simple 13 yard pass to freshman James Washington, Wilson had done it. The redshirt sophomore broke the NCAA’s record for consecutive passes thrown without an interception. The record was previously held by former Kentucky QB Andre Woodson, who from 2006-2007 threw 325 times without a pick. Wilson eclipsed that number as he finished the game without an interception and a streak of 329 straight passes to build on.

Good News, Bad News: The Pack received some much needed help in the depth department Saturday evening, with the return of wide out Donald Bowens and corner back DeAndre Morgan. Bowens missed all of last season with varying injuries and gives the offense another big play receiving threat. Morgan is the most experienced defender in the secondary for the Wolfpack, having started over 11 games last season. Morgan was slowed in the preseason by injuries and saw his first action of ‘09 against the “Runnin’ Bulldogs.”

The bad news for the Pack is though they gained two players crucial to their depth problems, they lost two of importance as well. Junior wide receiver Owen Spencer went out late in the 3rd quarter after suffering a concussion while attempting to catch a pass. Spencer leapt for the reception, but hit the ground very hard as he came down. He laid on the goal line motionless as trainers rushed to his aid. After a brief period, he was able to walk off on his own power, but

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he did not return. The Wolfpack suffered another loss Saturday night as freshman corner back Rashard Smith left the game and also did not return. It looked like a possible ankle injury, but the report has not been confirmed. Spencer is out for the upcoming Pittsburgh game, but Smith’s status is still unknown. The injury bug seems to still be lingering around the Wolfpack squad.

N.C. State’s Keys to the Game: Results

(”CHECK” = completed; “X” = not completed) 1. Consistency: One key going into the game against Gardner-Webb was whether or not the Pack could keep up their consistency on the offensive side of the ball. 45 points and almost 500 total yards later, I think that goal was accomplished. CHECK 2. Defensive Intensity: The Pack knew coming into their week three game that the “Runnin’ Bulldogs” could score. Though they did not record a turnover, the defense did their part in holding Gardner-Webb to 14 points. 213 total yards allowed isn’t bad either. CHECK 3. Young Guns: With injuries plaguing the Pack along with the flu, young, inexperienced players were forced into bigger roles. They responded with an all around solid game offensively and defensively. CHECK Gardner-Webb’s Keys to the Game: Results 1. Avoid the Barn-burner: The “Runnin’ Bulldogs” did not want this game to be a high-scoring affair. Two quarters and 31 Wolfpack points later, they realized they forgot to tell that to N.C. State. X 2. Air it Out: Though they did gain over 100 yards in both the running and the passing game, I was a little surprised Gardner-Webb did not throw the ball more. Being down so early, I expected the visitors to rely more on the passing game. 22 pass attempts against a vulnerable secondary just won’t do. X 3. Limit the Miscues: “Webb” was almost able to complete this key. As a visiting team, you never want to give your opponent more opportunities to beat you. The “Runnin’ Bulldogs” took care of the ball with zero turnovers, but they didn’t help themselves committing 11 penalties for over 100 yards. Though it did not cost them the game, it sure put them in more of a hole. X What This Means: The Wolfpack once again throttled an FCS foe (formerly division IAA) as they move to 2-1 on the season. Though technically, this win doesn’t count. FBS schools (formerly division IA) are only allowed one FCS win as it pertains to their bowl eligibility. This means that a 6-6 FBS team with two wins over FCS schools actually only has five wins. I know, it’s confusing, but hopefully the Wolfpack won’t have to worry about that when bowl season arrives. This win sets up a huge match-up between two BCS conferences. Pittsburgh comes to Raleigh next Saturday with a 3-0 record and as the favorites to win the Big East conference. The Pack will need to bring their “A” game if they hope to pull out a win. After the Pittsburgh game it’s all conference games until December. The next two months are going to be filled with excitement!

Pack vs. Pitt: A Physical Test September 22, 2009 This Saturday, N.C. State faces possibly its toughest test of the season. The Pittsburgh Panthers

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visit Raleigh with a 3-0 record after three convincing victories. The Wolfpack will be up against a physical opponent this weekend and State players are looking forward to the challenge.

Check out the link to a nice story on the anticipation of the week four match-up. Look for more updates on the Pack and the rest of the ACC later.

N.C. State vs. Pittsburgh: Preview September 25, 2009 The phrase, “Well it’s about time” has been heard frequently this week regarding N.C. State football. After two straight weeks of high scoring games where the most competition came from the bathroom rush at halftime, the Wolfpack will finally play a school that most fans know the location of. The Pittsburgh Panthers come to Raleigh on Saturday afternoon carrying a 3-0 record as Big East contenders. The Panthers are regarded by many to be the best team in their conference and they put a lot of weight into this match-up with the Wolfpack. “We have a big challenge ahead of us,” Panther’s Head Coach Dave Wannstedt said. “It’s the biggest one of the year so far.” Though Pittsburgh, like N.C. State hasn’t had too tough of a schedule so far (Youngstown State, Buffalo and Navy), they are still a solid team on both sides of the ball. Both teams will have to come prepared for a hard fought battle in week four.

More Important Things The minute Russell Wilson’s 33rd pass fell safely into the hands of James Washington last Saturday night, all of Wolfpack Nation exhaled. With that pass, Wilson broke the NCAA record for consecutive passes thrown without an interception. He extended his record to 329 and that’s where he will pick it up this Saturday afternoon against undefeated Pittsburgh. The reason for the sigh of relief from Wolfpack fans was that not only were we happy for Russell’s achievement, but we were glad we wouldn’t have to worry about that when playing the Panthers. We fans, like the team, would rather focus on the task of winning games than breaking records. Don’t get us wrong, we’d love to see Wilson’s streak never end. It’s just now that the record belongs to an N.C. State quarter back, a win would be icing on the cake.

Keys to the Game: N.C. State 1. Control the Line: This is probably the most important key of them all for the Wolfpack in week four. Pittsburgh’s defensive line has been strong this season, so the Pack “O-Line” will have their work cut out for them. If State can give the running backs enough holes and Wilson enough time to throw, the offense could prove that their last two games were no fluke. On the opposite side of the ball, the defensive line for the Pack will need to be a disruptive force this weekend. Not only have the Panthers averaged 174 rushing yards a game this year, but they have an experienced quarter back in senior Bill Stull. If Stull is given too much time in the pocket, the young State secondary could be in for a long night.

2. Do Your Job: This is a very general key, but let me explain. In what has unfortunately become the norm for recent N.C. State teams, injuries are beginning to play a big factor this season. The secondary has been hit especially hard with the losses of Clem Johnson and Rashard Smith. Both of their statuses are uncertain for the game against Pittsburgh. Other losses include offensive lineman Jake Vermiglio and wide receiver Owen Spencer. The important thing for all of the replacements to remember is that you can’t do it all by yourself. It is very common for reserves to put too much on their shoulders, when all they really need to do is their specific job. Watch for how key replacements respond to more playing time Saturday afternoon.

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3. Offensive Improvement: I know what you’re thinking. ‘Why would a team that has scored over 100 points in its last two games need to improve on offense?’ The answer is that though the Pack did put on a scoring clinic the past two weeks, they did it against FCS foes. During their first and only game against an FBS opponent, the Wolfpack could only muster three points and at times looked uncertain on the offensive side of the ball. Though it was the first game of the season, N.C. State better be prepared to put up a lot more points this week than it did in week one.

Keys to the Game: Pittsburgh 1. Make State One Dimensional: Self-explanatory or not, this key is still vital to Pittsburgh’s success. The Panthers know that the Wolfpack offense is capable, which is why they need to make sure that the Wolfpack are not comfortable. If Pitt can stop the run or the pass, it can make the Pack offense one-dimensional. If that happened, it would really limit what State could do with the ball. Drives would be harder to build and quick offensive possessions for the Wolfpack mean more offensive possessions for the Panthers.

2. Get to Wilson: In week one, South Carolina displayed that with a good pass rush, Russell Wilson’s talent can be contained. Wilson had a hard night completing passes and running the offense, let alone dropping back in the pocket. It seemed like just as he got back in his stance to survey the field, a defender was on him. If Pitt can supply pressure and get Wilson rattled, it could go a long way in winning the game Saturday afternoon.

3. Choose Your Weapon: In the past, I have told opposing teams (in my keys) to exploit the Wolfpack secondary. No one has taken my advice yet and as every game goes by, State’s secondary improves. Pittsburgh can attempt to exploit the Pack’s weakness or it can lean on the running game as it has since week one. The Panthers are averaging 174 yards rushing this year and N.C. State can’t afford to give up that much this Saturday. Pitt will need to see what’s working on its first couple of series’ and lean on that throughout the game.

What This Means: Those fortunate enough to attend Saturday afternoon’s game will be in for a real treat. These two teams are very evenly matched and have a lot to play for early in the year. You’ve also got two great coaches patrolling the sideline for both squads. The atmosphere will be electric as well as this important non-conference game will tell us a lot about these two teams. The biggest key for both sides is to be fundamentally sound. After playing a relatively easy schedule, State and Pitt will need to be at their best come Saturday. Hopefully, the Wolfpack and the Panthers will look good on national television and impress for the ACC and the Big East.

Picks of the Litter Results: Week 3 September 26, 2009 With week four of ACC football hours away, I think it might be way past time for me to make sure my results from last week are on the record. Heading into week three, I had correctly picked 15 out of the first 21 ACC games of the season. As you may recall, last week I challenged ESPN. com’s Heather Dinich to an old fashioned “pick off.” Each week, we both predict the winner from all of the ACC games. At the end of the week, we both tally the results and I post them here. Heading into the third week of the season, Heather held a slight lead over me with 16 out of 21 games picked accurately. As the season progresses, the games will get tougher to predict.

That adds a little bit more excitement to the picks each week. Let’s take a look at the results.

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#14 Georgia Tech @ #20 Miami

Prediction - GT: 28 Miami: 24 Reality - Miami: 33 GT: 17 I guess I didn’t get the memo on catching the Hurricane’s bandwagon. Huge win for the ‘Canes, but still not sold yet.

East Carolina @ #24 North Carolina

Prediction - UNC: 28 ECU: 24 Reality - UNC: 31 ECU: 17 I didn’t think think the Pirates had enough offense to stay with the Heels. The game did stay close until late, but Carolina is just the better team right now.

Boston College @ Clemson

Prediction - Clemson: 27 BC: 21 Reality - Clemson: 25 BC: 7 After a long delay due to some nasty weather in South Carolina, Clemson was finally able to finish off the Eagles. BC just couldn’t muster any offense all game long. This trend could continue for them as ACC play heats up.

Duke @ #22 Kansas

Prediction - Kansas: 35 Duke: 24 Reality - Kansas: 44 Duke: 16 I anticipated a Jayhawk win, but I thought the Devils might put up more of a fight. Duke made it interesting early, but Kansas exploded offensively.

Middle Tennessee State @ Maryland

Prediction - Maryland: 31 MTS: 17 Reality - MTS: 32 Maryland: 31 Maryland can’t lose to the Blue Raiders two years in a row can they? Well, I guess so. The word embarrassing just doesn’t do it justice. #19 Nebraska @ #13 Virginia Tech

Prediction - VT: 27 Nebraska: 21 Reality - VT: 16 Nebraska: 15 The Hokies represented the ACC well in Blacksburg. Tyrod Taylor looked like a confident QB on Tech’s game winning drive and the home team gained some respect points from across the country.

Virginia @ Southern Mississippi

Prediction - USM: 31 UVA: 21 Reality - USM: 37 UVA: 34 The ‘Cavs were so close to a big non-conference win on the road. They just couldn’t hold on to the lead against an all around better opponent.

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Gardner-Webb @ N.C. State

Prediction - NCSU: 38 GW: 13 Reality - NCSU: 45 GW: 14 The Pack played a good game against yet another FCS opponent. The win moved State to 2-1 on the year with a week four match-up against Pittsburgh ahead.

Elon @ Wake Forest

Prediction - WF: 28 Elon: 21 Reality - WF: 35 Elon: 7 Did I give Elon too much credit, or Wake not enough? Either way, the Demon Deacons played a good game against a very capable opponent. They head into ACC play on a high note.

Florida State @ #7 BYU

Prediction - BYU: 28 FSU: 24 Reality - FSU: 54 BYU: 28 I knew it. I know, I didn’t officially predict the ‘Noles to pick up this huge road win, but I had a feeling. Now, did I expect Florida State to blow the Cougars out at home….

“Dog of the Week” Pick: #18 Utah @ Oregon

Prediction - Oregon: 31 Utah: 28 Reality - Oregon: 31 Utah: 24 Wow. Not bad, if I do say so myself. It’s about time too. My first two underdog picks, Appalachian State (week one) and Ohio State (week two), came really close to making me look good.

Overall: I successfully predicted 7 out of the 10 ACC games in week three. This brings my overall score to 22 out of 31 (71%). Heather picked 8 out of 10 correct for week three, bringing her overall total to 24 out of 31 (77%). I’ve got some work to do to catch her but I’m not too far behind.

Check back later for my week four picks as the ACC football season rolls on.

Picks of the Litter: Week 4 September 26, 2009 Week four is upon us and it promises to be a great Saturday full of hard-hitting college football action. There are some great games on tap nationally, along with the intriguing match-ups in the ACC. Three true conference games will take place today, with several other key non-conference battles as well. I am currently two games behind ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich in our “prediction challenge,” but this week could be a critical one as many games could go either way. It should be a great day for competition all around the country.

South Florida @ #18 Florida State: Believe it or not, this game will still be interesting after the loss of Bulls’ starting QB, senior Matt Grothe. Grothe tore his ACL during last week’s game and is out for the season. The Bulls still have a lot of talent and besides the BYU game, Florida State has looked average. It’ll be interesting to see how the Seminoles approach this game after thumping a top 10 team last week.

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FSU: 28

USF: 17

#22 UNC @ Georgia Tech: This is one of the more intriguing match-ups of the weekend.

Carolina is coming off a big home-win over ECU, while Tech was drilled on national television by Miami. I think a different Georgia Tech team will show up against the Heels and make this a very close game. Carolina will stay in it with its defense, but the Jackets have a bit more on the line.

Georgia Tech: 27

UNC: 21

Wake Forest @ Boston College: There are several different reasons to pick each team in this match-up. Wake has the established QB and coach, while Boston College has the home-field advantage and more offensive weapons. I think this one’s a toss-up, but I’ll give the edge to the veteran coach and the experienced quarter back.

Wake Forest: 24

BC: 17

Rutgers @ Maryland: If any team, besides Virginia, needs a win in this conference it is Maryland.

Losing to Middle Tennessee State for the second straight year is simply unacceptable for this Terrapin team. Rutgers comes to town looking for a downtrodden Maryland squad, but I don’t think they’ll find it. This Maryland team is better than the way they’ve been playing and I think they’ll be out to prove it against Rutgers.

Maryland: 27

Rutgers: 24

Pittsburgh @ N.C. State: After two weeks of mauling opponents from the FCS, the Wolfpack finally get a crack at some FBS competition. Pittsburgh comes to Raleigh looking like a solid football team. Though their schedule hasn’t been too difficult, they sit at 3-0 and are hungry for more. Pittsburgh will attempt to control the line of scrimmage all game, but the Pack should be able counter effectively. The difference will be whose defense is up to the challenge. The Wolfpack get the edge with a stingy enough “D” and a game changing quarter back.

NCSU: 28

Pitt: 24

#15 TCU @ Clemson: I’ve got to admit that I’ve been pretty impressed with Clemson so far this year. They’ve played well this season and are a few points away from being undefeated.

The Horned Frogs look to run the table this year and crack the BCS, but they’ll have a tough time getting out of Death Valley with a “W.” Clemson has a slight advantage with too many playmakers on both sides of the ball.

Clemson: 27

TCU: 21

#9 Miami @ #11 Virginia Tech: It’s official; I am not on the “U” bandwagon. I don’t see how an un-ranked team can leap up to ninth in the country with two wins. I know those wins were against top 20 opponents, but let’s not forget that Miami is one play away from being 1-1. I think it is way too early to say that Miami is back, especially when they have two very losable games in their two week future. Virginia Tech picked up a huge win at home last week and Tyrod Taylor looked like a new QB on their game winning drive. If Taylor and the offense can produce just enough, the defense should be able to quell Miami’s offensive assault.

Virginia Tech: 24

Miami: 21

North Carolina Central @ Duke: Duke should have no problem dealing with their in-state neighbors. The Devils need to take care of business here before getting into conference play.

Expect Thaddeus Lewis to have a good game and get his rhythm back.

Duke: 35

NCCU: 13

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Dog of the Week: Well, this week is a tough one for underdogs. I correctly chose last week’s underdog upset, bringing my record in this category to 1-2. Getting to .500 will be difficult this week, but I’m going out on a limb. Houston is in the top 20 and sometimes being ranked creates unfamiliar territory for those not used to the “limelight.” Texas Tech visits the Cougars Saturday night in what is sure to be a barn-burner of a game. Basically, the win could go to the last team to score.

Texas Tech: 42

#17 Houston: 28

Well that concludes my week four picks. Regardless of how I do this week, I’m looking forward to seeing some great college football action. It seems like every week something new and unexpected happens. That’s what makes college football the anticipated event that it is.

Hopefully, the ACC will have a good showing this week. There are a lot of opportunities for teams to make a statement. As always, happy watching ACC fans and Go Pack!

Wolfpack Injury Report: Week 4 September 26, 2009 The Pack got good news late Thursday when the latest edition of the injury report was released.

With the injury bug continuing to glare its ugly head, any help to N.C. State’s depth is welcomed.

The Pack will welcome back starters Jake Vermiglio (offensive lineman) and Clem Johnson (safety). Both players will add significant depth and experience to positions that are crucial to the Wolfpack’s success. The boys in red and white got another boost when it was announced that starting running back Jamelle Eugene will also be back in week four. The Pack will look to Eugene and senior Toney Baker to anchor their backfield and provide balance on offense. These additions to the lineup are especially needed with the absence of wide receiver Owen Spencer and cornerback Rashard Smith. Spencer is out with a concussion and Smith is out with an ankle injury.

Both players sustained these injuries during the Pack’s week three win over Gardner-Webb. Here is a link to the Wolfpack’s injury report along with reports from all other ACC teams.

Pack Shows Grit In Comeback Win Over Pitt September 27, 2009 The Wolfpack would not be denied. Down 10-0 early and 31-17 late, N.C. State clawed their way back Saturday night and defeated Pittsburgh 38-31. It was truly an unbelievable site to see for us State fans. Drenched by the continuous rain and clinging to hopes of a comeback, we Wolfpack faithful were rewarded for our loyalty by witnessing one of the best State games in recent memory. It’s hard to look at a game like this and pick just one play to call a favorite. It could be Russell Wilson’s 21 yard run on 4th and 14 in route to the game tying touchdown. How about Wilson’s nifty flick-pass to George Bryan for a touchdown one play after that spectacular fourth down conversion? Maybe you’d like to choose a defensive play? In that case, you could choose all four of the plays State’s defense made on their last minute goal-line stand to win the game. Regardless of which play you select, the Pack’s battle with the Panthers will certainly be remembered for a good while.

There were a lot of positives, besides the win that the Pack can take away from this game. The offense racked up over 500 total yards, with a balanced attack (322 passing, 208 rushing).

Wilson connected with eight different receivers and also found his legs with 91 yards rushing.

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The biggest positive to take from State’s huge non-conference win is the Pack’s resolve. The Wolfpack were down by double digits several times, but did not panic. They simply did what they had to do to win. The defense held the Panthers scoreless for the final 19 minutes of the game, while the offense continually drove the ball down the field. It was as if there was a quiet confidence on the State sideline and the Wolfpack players knew something good was going to happen. That confidence on the field transferred to the crowd as Wolfpack Nation once again stood by their team.

N.C. State also left the field Saturday night with some adjustments that need to be made. There were 12 penalties called on the home team for 81 total yards. The number and kind of penalties being assessed reminded me and probably most Wolfpack fans of the Chuck Amato days. In those days however, we could have 12 penalties and come up just short in the win column. It says a lot about the potential of a team when you’ve got 12 penalties and you still win the game; especially against such tough competition. It also looks like the Wolfpack will be going through more tackling drills as several Pitt players consistently slipped through the fingers of Pack players.

Though there were highs and lows, the end result is what all State fans want; a win. Pittsburgh is a great football team who will probably go on to win a good number of games this year, but the Wolfpack were better in week four. I’ll have a more in depth look at last night’s game later today (yep, it’s early). For now, sleep tight Wolfpack fans. I’m gonna go dry off and hit the hay.

Picks of the Litter Results: Week 4 October 2, 2009 Week 3 of the college football season turned out to be an above average week for the conference as well as my predictions. After a 7 out of 10 week, my overall record stood at 22 out of 31. Correctly predicting 71% of the conference games so far isn’t bad, but there is always room for improvement. I had a few “ambitious” picks in week 4. Let’s see how I fared.

South Florida @ #18 Florida State Prediction - FSU: 28 USF: 17 Reality - USF: 17 FSU: 7 Florida State let a lot of people down last Saturday. A week after blowing out a top 10 team on the road, the Seminoles laid an egg in front of their home crowd. #22 UNC @ Georgia Tech Prediction - GT: 27 UNC: 21 Reality - GT: 24 UNC: 7 Thought this game would be a little bit closer, but give the Jackets a ton of credit. They exploited weaknesses on a previously unbeaten Heels team and literally “ran” them out of town.

Wake Forest @ Boston College Prediction - WF: 24 BC: 17 Reality - BC: 27 WF: 24 Wow. This game was quite a battle. BC looked like they might hang on in regulation, but Wake Forest and Riley Skinner pushed it into overtime. If not for a botched play and great defensive awareness by the Eagles, Wake would’ve won.

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Rutgers @ Maryland Prediction - Maryland: 27 Rutgers: 24 Reality - Rutgers: 34 Maryland: 13 Maybe I gave Maryland a little too much credit. I figured pride would play a big role in this game and for awhile, it seemed like I was right. Sometimes talent plays a bigger role than pride though.

Pittsburgh @ N.C. State

Prediction - NCSU: 28 Pitt: 24 Reality - NCSU: 38 Pitt: 31 What a game! This was an exciting spectacle from start to finish. Pittsburgh had their chances, especially with so many penalties committed by the Wolfpack. In the end, Russell Wilson was too much and the Pack defense held late. @15 TCU @ Clemson

Prediction - Clemson: 27 TCU: 21 Reality - TCU: 14 Clemson: 10 The Tigers were so close to pulling off a big upset. The Horned Frogs proved why they are regarded as one of the better teams in the country. #9 Miami @ # 11 Virginia Tech

Prediction - VT: 24 Miami: 21 Reality - VT: 31 Miami: 7 Yep. All of a sudden that Miami bandwagon looks a bit off course doesn’t it? The Hokies showed the nation that though the “U” looked pretty good for a couple of weeks, they still have room for improvement.

North Carolina Central @ Duke

Prediction - Duke: 35 NCCU: 13 Reality - Duke: 49 NCCU: 14 As anticipated, Duke took care of business. The offense actually produced a lot more than I thought they would be able to. Maybe they should have saved some of that for this weekend against Virginia Tech.

“Dog of the Week” Pick: Texas Tech @ #17 Houston

Prediction - Texas Tech: 42 Houston: 28 Reality - Houston: 29 Texas Tech: 28 Houston’s defense was the story in this game. The Cougars proved their upset win over Oklahoma State was no fluke and the country saw that the Red Raiders are a very different team from a year ago.

Overall Week 4 was a rough one for my ACC picks. I went 4-4 with my predictions due to some “ambitious” picks not falling through. I also lost yet another underdog pick, bringing my “Dog of the Week” record to 1-3. My overall record in conference games is now 26 out of 39 games correctly predicted. Now that 66% may not look that bad, but it still trails the 72% correctly

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picked by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich. She had a rough week of predictions as well, but still managed to tie my mark of 4-4. Week 5 could bring some changes though, as Heather and I differ on at least one game this Saturday. Check back later for a full NCSU vs. Wake Forest preview and my week 5 edition of “Picks of the Litter.”

N.C. State vs. Wake Forest: Preview October 3, 2009 Week five of the college football season is upon us as the ACC schedule finally takes off. This week, there are five games between conference foes, with all of the Atlantic Division playing each other. The Wolfpack are coming off a huge come-from-behind win over previously unbeaten Pittsburgh. The Panthers led the Pack 31-17 with four minutes left in the third quarter, but State’s offense continued to put points on the board while the defense held late in the game. The 38-31 victory was the first over an FBS opponent (division IA) for the Wolfpack this year, who moved to 3-1 on the season. This week marks the first ACC game for N.C. State and the Wolfpack’s first road game of the year as well. State will travel to Winston-Salem to face Wake Forest in a 3:30 p.m. kickoff. The game is nationally televised on ESPNU and should tell us a lot more about the direction both of these teams are heading in.

A Tale of Two Quarterbacks Saturday’s match-up will feature two of the best signal callers in the ACC. Senior Riley Skinner of Wake Forest will face off against redshirt sophomore Russell Wilson of N.C. State. The two are known not only for their good decision making, but for their overall ability as play-makers.

Skinner commands the conference’s best offense in terms of total yards, while Wilson directs the best offense based on points scored. Both have the abilities to make plays with their legs and make those around them look a lot better. Needless to say, Saturday’s game could come down to which defense reigns in the opposing QB the best.

Keys to the Game: N.C. State 1. Mental Errors: The Wolfpack had 12 penalties in last week’s game against Pitt. The only silver lining to come out of that story was that they still won the game. With almost half of those miscues being false starts, those mistakes should be easy to remedy. In conference play, the Pack cannot afford to help any team out by having costly penalties in crucial situations.

2. Get Defensive: Though N.C. State statistically has the best defense in the country, some adjustments still need to be made for continued success this year. They allowed 300 yards of total offense to Pittsburgh, who gained much of those yards in two and a half quarters. It wasn’t until the last 19 minutes of the game when the Wolfpack finally clamped down defensively.

They’ll need to bring the intensity all game long and make sure to make the stops when they have the chance.

3. Special Teams: This department is typically not a problem for the Wolfpack. Against Pittsburgh, State missed one short field goal and had another one blocked. In tight games like the Pack will have in conference play, mistakes in the special teams area cannot happen. Those three to six points could very well be the deciding factor. Whether it was the hold, the blocks or the kick that went wrong, it needs to be fixed quickly.

Keys to the Game: Wake Forest 1. Protect Skinner: Riley Skinner is one of the big keys to Wake winning this tough, ACC

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contest. His experience and his quick thinking ability make him one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the country. N.C. State will surely attempt to rattle Skinner and make him uncomfortable in the pocket, so the Demon Deacons could have their hands full. Wake’s offensive line must give their senior leader enough time to be the difference maker he can be.

2. Contain Wilson: In the same way Wake Forest will be looking to keep Riley Skinner protected, N.C. State will try and keep Russell Wilson from any harm. Wilson has been looking like his All-ACC self from a year ago, throwing for four touchdown passes in each of his last three games. He also displayed his dual threat ability by rushing for 91 yards last week against Pittsburgh. Wake Forest will need to find a way to get Wilson out of his comfort zone. The longer the ball is in his hands, the more trouble it could mean for the Deacons.

3. The “Desire” Factor: This could end up being the biggest key of them all for Wake Forest.

The Demon Deacons come into Saturday’s game at 0-1 in the conference and facing an uphill battle should they add another loss. Recently, Wake has been getting used to competing for the Atlantic Division title. With doubters looking to be proven right, the Deacons know they must play their best to have a shot. A win over N.C. State would put them right in the thick of things in the Atlantic and give them a boost of confidence for the ACC schedule to come.

What This Means: The match-up between these long-time opponents is an important one to watch regarding conference standings. On paper, this should be a high scoring affair, with both teams averaging over 400 yards of total offense. I think the defenses might be the difference in this one though. It could turn out to be which defense is able to hold during crucial situations. It will be interesting to watch as we continue to learn more and more about the state of the ACC’s teams.

Picks of the Litter: Week 5 October 3, 2009 There are a lot of great conference games going on this week so let’s get to ‘em!

Clemson @ Maryland: Though the Terps are at home, Clemson is a much better football team right now. Unless something crazy happens, the Tigers should take this one.

Clemson: 34

Maryland: 17

#6 Virginia Tech @ Duke: The Devils gave the Hokies a scare last year, so rest assured Frank Beamer’s team will be ready this season. Duke will make it interesting, but Virginia Tech is poised to continue their success.

VT: 31

Duke: 14

Virginia @ North Carolina: Some are thinking that Al Groh will have his team ready for an upset on the road. I’m not one of them. UNC is upset after their performance last week and they’ll come out ready for the Cavs.

UNC: 28

UVA: 17

Florida State @ Boston College: FSU is still scratching their heads after losing to USF last week, while Boston College is feeling pretty good after an overtime conference win. Though the Seminoles have been so inconsistent this season, I’ve still got to pick them. Coach Bowden is a great problem solver and FSU will triumph over BC on the road.

FSU: 27

BC: 17

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N.C. State @ Wake Forest: Though many see this as a possible “barn burner,” I see it differently. I think both defenses will come out hungry with something to prove. The offense will be there, but the difference will be on the defensive side. Russell Wilson and Riley Skinner show why their the conference’s one, two punch when it comes to quarterbacks, but State’s defense can bend without breaking.

NCSU: 28

Wake: 21

#25 Georgia Tech @ Mississippi State: The Yellow Jackets will have their hands full on the road, but their option is starting to pick up steam. Tech runs wild on Saturday on its way to a big nonconference win.

GT: 31

MSU: 13

#8 Oklahoma @ #17 Miami: Sam Bradford might not be starting, but it won’t make much of a difference. The Sooners can put up points just like the ‘Canes, but they can do something Miami can’t; play defense. Miami’s offense flops again and the Sooners push on.

Oklahoma: 38

Miami: 17

Dog of the Week South Florida @ Syracuse: The 4-0 Bulls travel up north to play 2-2 Syracuse. South Florida is feeling pretty good about themselves after defeating in-state rival FSU. That is why this is the perfect opportunity for a trap game. Syracuse has been playing some good football of late and an unfocused South Florida team could get caught napping.

Syracuse: 27

USF: 24

Check back for more updates later in the day! Week 5 looks like an exciting one!

Pack Loses Heartbreaker in Winston-Salem October 3, 2009 Tom O’Brien knew what he was talking about. Shortly after N.C. State’s week four win over Pittsburgh, the head coach stated that his Wolfpack squad was “not a very good football team.”

Though they were able to overcome numerous penalties and poor tackling on defense against the Panthers, O’Brien knew that down the road, the Wolfpack might not be so lucky. State found that out the hard way today against Wake Forest. Playing in their first road game of the season, State continued their less than stellar play and it cost them against the Demon Deacons.

One of the big story lines that will come out of this difficult conference opener will be State’s Russell Wilson throwing two interceptions. The Wolfpack QB had his streak of passes without a pick snapped at 379. Though this story makes for a good read, it is not the reason N.C. State lost. The Wolfpack did not play consistently at all today with lapses on offense and poor choices on defense. State was again plagued by penalties having eight miscues for 85 yards. At times the offense looked capable, but their were too many instances where one bad play ended the entire drive. Situations like that interrupt the flow of the game for the offense and make it difficult to find a rhythm. On the defensive side of the ball, many State fans were probably saying, “I’ve seen this before.” The Wolfpack’s suspect secondary was finally exploited as the inexperienced cornerbacks and safeties gave up too many big plays.

Wake’s receivers were allowed to run in front of, between and behind the secondary, enabling Wake QB Riley Skinner to have a field day throwing the football. The true struggle of the

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Wolfpack defense was seen at the end of the game. Wake Forest had a third down and six, deep in their own territory. With about a minute left in the game, Skinner threw to one of his runningbacks, Josh Adams, who was on the left side of the field. Adams caught the ball at the line of scrimmage, but broke three to four Wolfpack tackles before gaining the first down. The worst part about that play was that the first tackle Adams’ broke was at the line of scrimmage.

Essentially, he wanted the first down more than the Wolfpack wanted to make the stop. State had just used two of it’s timeouts in hopes of getting the football back, but that first down sealed the deal for the Deacons.

Everyone on the Wolfpack sideline will be thinking about this game for awhile. This includes the offense, defense, special teams and the coaching staff. The Wolfpack cannot afford to play undisciplined football anymore. They’re not good enough to win when they shoot themselves in the foot. Tom O’Brien and the rest of the coaching staff need to get that point across now.

Though it is just one game, N.C. State missed an opportunity today. Wake Forest is a good team, but the Wolfpack helped them out entirely too much today. State is a better team than this, but they have a lot of improving to do before the rest of the conference takes notice.

Picks of the Litter: Week 6 October 10, 2009 I did so well on my picks last week, I neglected to show you the results. Don’t worry, I’ll man up eventually and reveal how bad last week was. This week I need to be a little bit better on my picks overall to stay in my prediction challenge with Heather Dinich. Fingers crossed!

Boston College @ #5 Virginia Tech: This game has the makings of a good one in Blacksburgh.

Both teams are very confident coming in, but the Hokies have proven more so far this year. Plus, they’re at home.

VT: 27

BC: 21

Georgia Southern @ North Carolina: This is just what the doctor ordered for the Heels. A week after a disappointing effort in a loss to Virginia, UNC gets a chance to get back on track.

Carolina gets their offense going and their defense remains stout.

UNC: 31

GS: 6

Indiana @ Virginia: Which Cavalier team will show up here? The team that shutdown Carolina last week or the team that lost to William & Mary to open the season? This game could go either way, but here’s hoping the good Virginia team shows up.

UVA: 27

Indiana: 24

Duke @ N.C. State: State is coming off a frustrating road loss to Wake Forest last week. Duke is coming off a gritty performance against Virginia Tech. Both teams have a lot to play for, but the Wolfpack have too many weapons and too much at stake to lose this game.

NCSU: 31

Duke: 21

Maryland @ Wake Forest: Maryland shocked a lot of people last week by beating Clemson.

Wake will be prepared and the way Riley Skinner is playing, the Deacons should pull this game out.

Wake: 28

Maryland: 17

Florida A&M @ #11 Miami: The Hurricanes have finally finished their brutal four game stretch in which they played a ranked team every week. Though A&M is undefeated, Miami should have

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no problem with this one.

Miami: 31

Florida A&M: 13

#22 Georgia Tech @ Florida State: The Seminoles need this one bad. The Jackets do too, but not as bad as a 2-3 team. I’m giving the edge to Florida State, who plays like they did against BYU earlier this year.

FSU: 34

GT: 24

Dog of the Week Michigan @ #12 Iowa: Wow. The Big Ten has a meaningful game not involving Penn State or Ohio State. This should be a great game tonight, but I think the Hawkeyes are ranked a little too high for what they’ve done this year. Michigan is capable of beating Iowa and their offense will be the key tonight. Enough “O” for the Wolverines and they’re back in the top 25 with a huge upset win.

Michigan: 31

Iowa: 27

Well, I feel a little bit better about my picks this week, but in the ACC you never know. This year I’ve learned to expect the unexpected. At Least when dealing with predictions. Happy watching ACC fans. Go Pack!

N.C. State vs. Duke: Preview October 10, 2009 After a difficult loss to open up the ACC schedule, N.C. State welcomes Duke to Carter-Finley Stadium today. Confident after a three game winning streak, the Pack went into Winston-Salem last weekend looking to grab hold of the Atlantic Division lead. Instead, they left a confused, disappointed bunch. With a week to let the loss to the Demon Deacons marinate, the Wolfpack look hungry as they take on the Blue Devils.

Bouncing Back Today’s game is big for the Wolfpack for several reasons. One, State needs this game to stay in the race for the Atlantic Division title. An 0-2 start would not be promising for the rest of the season. Another reason this game is huge is that it will be the first time this year the Wolfpack have followed up a loss with an FBS opponent. After their first loss of the season in their opener against South Carolina, the Wolfpack welcomed FCS opponent Murray State to town. The Wolfpack destroyed the Racers 65-7, but their test this week should prove to be more of a challenge. N.C. State will need to get the taste of a bad loss out of their system and focus on a capable and hungry Duke team. So far, the resolve of this Wolfpack team has proven to be great. It needs to continue to improve as the season progresses.

Keys to the Game: N.C. State 1. TACKLE: N.C. State’s biggest problem the past two weeks has been the defense’s inability to tackle. On key plays, opponents will either bounce off of Pack defenders, or elude them completely. Missed tackles must be cut down not only in this game today, but for the rest of the season.

2. Offensive Balance: The Wolfpack cannot afford to simply rely on Russel Wilson’s arm to win them games. Toney Baker and Jamelle Eugene have to anchor the running game and provide balance on offense. This means the “O-line” will need to open up holes consistently for backs

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to run through. A balanced offensive attack will be more productive in the end than a one dimensional one.

3. Defense: Though this key seems kind of general, it is an essential one none the less. In the past two games, the Wolfpack have allowed 61 total points to be scored. That number has got to come down for success to continue this season. N.C. State has weapons to outscore some opponents, but to rely heavily on the offense all season long is too much to ask for. The defense has got to start making plays and keeping opponents off the scoreboard.

Keys to the Game: Duke 1. Protect Lewis: Last week, N.C. State recorded six sacks on Wake Forest’s Riley Skinner. Duke QB Thaddeus Lewis will need a lot of protection if State brings intense pressure again this week.

With Lewis being the key to Duke’s offensive success, the Blue Devil “O-line” will have to hold firm against the N.C. State pass rush.

2. Stay Defensive: Duke cannot afford to let this game turn into a shootout. N.C. State is capable of putting up big numbers and they have a few more weapons on offense than the Devils. Duke will need to keep it a low scoring affair to stay in the game and give themselves a chance to win. The longer the Blue Devils are in this game, the more confidence they’ll play with.

3. Watch the Mistakes: The Blue Devils played Virginia Tech close last week in large part to their overall performance on offense. Lost in the statistics was the lack of stats from the turnover category. Duke was able to stay in the game because of their ability to hold on to the football.

The lack of turnovers kept offensive productivity alive for the Devils. They’ll need to continue that trend against the Wolfpack to earn their first ACC win of the season.

What This Means: The Wolfpack and the Devils will meet with a lot on the line. Both are fighting for position in their respective divisions and both are attempting to gain momentum for their programs as a whole. N.C. State should win this game if their offense can stay balanced and their defense improves. The Wolfpack have a great opportunity to earn their first ACC win of the season, but it won’t come easy. Duke is always looking to improve their program and they no longer play scared or hesitant. It should be a great atmosphere as Wolfpack Nation welcomes N.C. State back home in week six. These two in-state rivals will make it an intriguing afternoon for fans of the ACC and college football.

Pack Embarrassed at Home October 10, 2009 Fans who attended the game today are stunned. Duke went on the road to a hostile environment and absolutely dominated a rival team. The 49-28 score is ugly and that’s just what the game was. There was no defense at all, with the only glimmer of “D” being displayed by the boys in blue. The Blue Devils entered Carter-Finley Stadium confident, searching for their first ACC road win in nearly six years. They left with a .500 record and all of the life that was sucked out of the previously rocking home of the Wolfpack.

Thaddeus Lewis ripped apart the suspect Wolfpack secondary, throwing for over 450 yards and 5 touchdowns. Both of those stats are career highs for the senior who has spent most of his career putting up big numbers in wasted efforts. Lewis went 40 of 50 seemingly playing catch with any receiver of his choosing. Meanwhile, the potent Wolfpack offense was sitting on the bench,

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waiting for the defense to make a stop. The Wolfpack’s inability to slow down the Devils was a significant factor in the outcome of the game. The Wolfpack offense had the ball for a paltry 19 and a half minutes, compared to Duke’s 40. With Russell Wilson sitting and waiting, Thaddeus Lewis was able to give Duke enough cushion to sustain any possibility of a comeback.

I overheard the Wolfpack Sports Network discussing how the deciding factor in the game was the Wolfpack’s inability to get anything going on offense. With all due respect to the WSN and all that they do, I strongly disagree. Yes, our offense only accounted for 21 points (one touchdown was on a kickoff return), but it’s hard to get a lot going when you only have the ball for 19 minutes. The defense could not get off the field as Duke was 13 of 19 on third downs and the secondary was eaten alive all game. I understand that Thaddeus Lewis is a talented player and I am taking nothing away from his performance tonight, but over 450 passing yards is inexcusable! 80% of Lewis’ passes were complete meaning there were far too many lapses on defense to win a football game.

There were also lapses in the kicking game, in which two Duke punts hit State players and were recovered by the Devils. Both led to touchdowns, with one being recovered in the endzone and they proved to be very significant in the final outcome of the game. Those are two more possessions lost by the offense and more time for the defense to be on the field. Also, if you take away those two scores N.C. State has a chance to tie the game and still be in it late in the fourth quarter.

The one silver lining in the game was the lack of penalties by the Wolfpack. For two straight weeks penalties have irritated not only the fan-base, but the coaching staff as well. Tonight, N.C. State did not commit a penalty. That one silver lining does not overshadow the clouds that hung over the Wolfpack sideline though. There are a lot of problems that need to be fixed and the Wolfpack coaching staff does not have a lot of time to fix them. N.C. State travels to Boston College next week in a key Atlantic Division match-up. The Wolfpack will try to avoid an 0-3 hole in conference play as they look to stay in the race in the division. The Pack will need to regroup and put this bad loss behind them. There is still a long way to go in this confusing ACC season.

A Plea to Wolfpack Nation February 5, 2010 300 passing yards to duke last yr 240 to wake worst pass d in league didn’t get anybody freshman playing now…duh

N.C. State @ Boston College: Preview October 16, 2009 After two consecutive conference losses, the Wolfpack will look to get back on track as they travel up north. Standing in the way of their first ACC victory in ‘09 are the 4-2 Boston College Eagles. BC is coming off a humbling loss to Virginia Tech, which left the defending Atlantic Division champions at 2-2 in conference play. Before their 48-14 thumping, Boston College

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had won two straight against divisional opponents in what has been a confusing race in the ACC. Both teams are looking to get back in the win column, setting the stage for a significant match-up at Alumni Stadium.

Shootout in Chestnut Hill?

Saturday’s game has the potential to be a barn-burner. Both teams are averaging over 300 yards of total offense and except for a few instances, scoring points haven’t been a problem.

Not to mention the fact that both teams have had their defensive struggles this season. N.C. State’s secondary has been virtually absent the last two games, giving up over 800 passing yards combined. BC’s defense, on the other hand, just gave up 48 points to a Virginia Tech offense that has been suspect at times this year. The winner of this game might turn out to be the team with the most improved defense.

Keys to the Game: N.C. State 1. Pass Defense: This will turn out to be the key for the rest of the year for the Pack. The secondary needs to improve drastically to turn this season around. Giving up over 300 yards every game is just not acceptable. Head Coach Tom O’ Brien says the right players are in the game, but they need to make the plays.

2. 3rd Down Conversions: This key applies to the offense and the defense. Last week against Duke, the N.C. State offense was 4-10 on third downs. That number has got to get better to keep more drives alive. On the other side of the ball, Duke was 13-19, meaning the Pack “D” must clamp down when it counts.

3. QB Pressure: Even after State’s week five loss to Wake Forest, the Wolfpack came away with some encouraging statistics defensively. One of those key stats was the 6 sacks the defense came away with on Wake QB Riley Skinner. The veteran quarterback was harassed all game long and that same pressure will need to be displayed against Boston College. The Eagle’s have several options they can use at signal-caller, but all of them are inexperienced. That could come into play when facing a difficult Wolfpack pass rush.

Keys to the Game: Boston College 1. Offensive Balance: Last week, the Eagles were only able to muster 45 yards rushing. The running game had been their bread and butter this season, with inexperience at the QB position.

BC was playing from behind all game last Saturday, but regardless of the score this week, the Eagles must find some balance on offense. The “O-line” will play a big role in accomplishing that goal.

2. The Turnover Battle: The Eagles committed three turnovers last week on their way to a thumping from Virginia Tech. Though the turnovers weren’t the only thing that went wrong, they certainly didn’t help. If the Eagles want to protect their home turf in a big conference game, they’ll need to win the turnover battle and keep their mistakes to a minimum.

3. Who’s Playin’ QB?: Whoever it is will have to have a good game against a hungry Wolfpack defense. David Shinskie had been the Eagles’ starter until a rough game last week lead to a benching. Freshman Mike Marscovetra took over for Shinskie and put up good numbers while leading Boston College on their only two touchdown drives of the game. It doesn’t matter who is behind center for the Eagles, just as long as they produce.

What This Means: The Wolfpack and Eagles should provide a great game for ACC fans as we try to sort through the

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jumbled standings in both divisions. It should be an exciting game to watch and one that has a big impact on the rest of the conference. Check back tomorrow for updates up until kickoff.

Picks of the Litter: Week 7 October 17, 2009 Let me first start off by apologizing. I have yet to post my results from the last two weeks of college football action. This is mostly due to the fact that I did so well on my picks from weeks five and six that I tried to forget them entirely. Rest assured though, today I will post the results.

Who knows? Maybe they weren’t bad enough to take me completely out of my challenge with Heather Dinich. Though only nine conference teams are playing this week, there are a lot of very exciting games on tap. With top 25 action and mid-season rivalries, week seven looks promising for college football.

Wake Forest @ Clemson: The Atlantic Division has a lot on the line today with five out of the six teams in action. Clemson needs this game to get back to .500 in conference play, but Wake has been playing well of late. I give the Tigers the edge with home-field advantage and an extra week to prepare. It also doesn’t hurt to have C.J. Spiller.

Clemson: 30

Wake Forest: 24

N.C. State @ Boston College: Both teams are coming off difficult losses and are looking to right any wrongs from last week. Win-less in the ACC, the Wolfpack need this win to stay in the divisional race. The Eagles have an edge with their offensive line, but as far as offensive weapons go, the Wolfpack have that covered. The key will be which defense plays the best. I have a feeling the Wolfpack defense is tired of being laughed at.

NCSU: 28

BC: 21

Virginia @ Maryland: These teams are two of the most confusing in the league. Both have underachieved at times this year with instances of possible growth. Maryland should win this game, as long as they hold on to the football. If they start turning it over, the advantage could shift to the Cavaliers on the road.

Maryland: 24

Virginia: 17

#4 Virginia Tech @ #19 Georgia Tech: This is a huge game not only in the ACC but on the national level as well. Virginia Tech still has dreams of a national title and Georgia Tech would like nothing more than to crush those in Atlanta tonight. The Jackets are also thinking about a Coastal division title that depends on this game against the Hokies. The Jackets are fine offensively, but it’s the defense that I’m worried about. The Hokies are the more complete team and should win this tough road game.

Virginia Tech: 31

Georgia Tech: 27

#9 Miami @ Central Florida: Though this seems like another pushover non-conference game, the Hurricanes need to be wary. UCF is a capable team who would love to cease the opportunity to win at home against a top 10 team. As long as Miami doesn’t get complacent, they should be fine. The offense should be able to score, but the defense must respond with a good effort as well.

Miami: 28

UCF: 17

Dog of the Week

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#11 Iowa @ Wisconsin: I know. I picked the Hawkeyes to lose last week and they didn’t follow through. I’m just still not sold on Iowa quite yet. Wisconsin is a good team that plays well at home. If the Badger “D” can shut down the Hawkeye offense, I think Wisconsin has a good chance of pulling the upset. That is, as long as they don’t turn the ball over.

Wisconsin: 27

Iowa: 24

I’m not going to say anything about how I feel about my picks this week. I felt good about them last week and as you’ll see later today, I didn’t do so hot. Here’s hoping they improve. At least we’ve got some great college football action to watch. Go Pack!

Pack Trounced, Again October 22, 2009 Apologies for the timing of this post, but the realization of a 3-4 start may finally be setting in. In what has become the norm of late for the Wolfpack, another team put up big offensive numbers in route to a victory over the boys from Raleigh. This time, the team was Boston College. Not known for their offensive prowess, the Eagles put on a clinic against the Wolfpack last Saturday as they proved that for now, there is not much the Wolfpack defense can stop. Led

by Montel Harris’ career highs of 264 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns, the Eagles coasted to a 52-20 victory over N.C. State. Much of Harris’ yardage came from the “Wildcat” formation, where Harris takes a direct snap and takes off wherever the offensive line presents a hole.

The O-line gave Harris a lot of options Saturday seemingly moving the Wolfpack defense at will. This not only helped the offense as a whole, but an inexperienced quarterback in 25 year old Dave Shinskie. Shinskie, who joined the Eagles this season after trying his hand at minor league baseball, has been inconsistent at times this year, showing his understandable rust from switching careers. The freshman didn’t have to do much Saturday though as the running game paved the way for a big offensive output for the Eagles.

Going into the game, many thought the Pack’s defense would be a bit more prepared after their last two games. In the two weeks prior, State had given up big yards in a loss to Wake Forest and even more yards in a drubbing at home from Duke. Fearing an 0-3 start in the conference, most thought the Pack would be more competitive against the beatable Eagles. Most were wrong. The Eagles took a 24-13 halftime lead and never looked back, scoring 21 decisive points in the third quarter. Nothing about this game was good for N.C. State, with the Pack losing the turnover battle and going a pathetic 4-16 on third down conversions. The 394 total yards by State are very misleading as seen by the mere 20 points scored.

What stings almost as much as the loss of the game is the loss of key players. It was announced a few days after the game that freshman cornerback Rashard Smith would miss the remainder of the season due to a knee injury suffered against the Eagles. Smith had returned to the starting lineup after nursing an ankle injury suffered earlier in the year. The loss of Smith adds to the concern about an already depleted secondary. Along with Smith, it was announced that redshirt sophomore defensive end Jeff Rieskamp would also miss the remainder of the season.

Rieskamp had not played this season due to a sports hernia, but played an important role as a reserve in 2008.

Though N.C. State is in the midst of an off week, it seems a game is still being played; the blame game. Fans are beginning to point fingers in every direction from the players, to the coaching staff, even as high up as the athletic director. The truth is that the blame is not solely on one

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particular person. The blame should be evenly dispersed. It is the coaches’ responsibility to put the right players out there and in the right positions to make a play. It is the responsibility of the players to make the play once they are out there. This week will be a reflective week for the team and Wolfpack Nation. The team needs to figure out what direction they want to go in and how they are going to get there. Wolfpack fans need to figure out whose side they’re on.

Are you going to point fingers and give up on the season, or keep the faith and not lose heart?

Building a winning program takes time and patience and that’s what this team needs right now. I choose to stand by my team. What about you?

Pick of the Litter: Week 8 October 22, 2009 Have no fear ACC fans. The long awaited results of my previous picks will be up shortly. It turns out, the longer you wait to give your results, the more data you have to compile. Tonight’s ACC game has a lot on the line for both teams involved as North Carolina hosts their first Thursday night game in school history. The atmosphere is sure to be electric with Florida State coming to town, regardless of their record.

Florida State @ UNC: Both teams come into this game seeking their first ACC win. UNC’s offense has been suspect this year and the Seminoles have been arguably the most difficult team in the conference to figure out. Though the Tar Heels are at home, their inability on the offensive side of the ball could be their demise tonight. I give the edge to the Seminoles with a better offense and a defense with something to prove.

FSU: 27

UNC: 17

Old Picks of the Litter Results: Week 5 October 24, 2009 I know, I know. It’s been awhile. I promised my results a long time ago and every week procrastination got the better of me. To recap what you might have forgotten; after week four I had correctly picked 26 of 39 ACC games for a total of 66 %. Meanwhile, ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich went 28 of 39 for just under 72%. Each week’s picks will be posted with the total and percentage for Heather and me. Without any further adieu, my results from week five.

Week 5 Clemson @ Maryland

Prediction: Clemson - 34 Maryland - 17 Reality: Maryland - 24 Clemson - 21 Maryland shocked me and a lot of the conference by playing good defense throughout most of the game to keep the Tigers at bay. #6 Virginia Tech @ Duke

Prediction: VT - 31 Duke - 14 Reality: VT - 34 Duke - 26 The Devils hung with the Hokies, proving that they may have some postseason hopes just yet.

Virginia @ North Carolina

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Prediction: UNC - 28 UVA - 17 Reality: UVA - 16 UNC - 3 Even though I loved that it happened, it didn’t help my picks much. The Cavs came to play and the Heels’ offense took a day off.

Florida State @ Boston College

Prediction: FSU - 27 BC - 17 Reality: BC - 28 FSU - 21 The Seminoles are just too difficult to figure out this year. Boston College took advantage of an FSU team out of sync.

N.C. State @ Wake Forest

Prediction: NCSU - 28 Wake - 21 Reality: Wake - 30 NCSU - 24 This began a downward spiral for the Wolfpack that hasn’t ended yet. Who knew I’d be missing a six point loss? #25 Georgia Tech @ Mississippi State

Prediction: GT - 31 MSU - 13 Reality: GT - 42 MSU - 31 The Jackets won this one, but their defense needs work. #8 Oklahoma @ #17 Miami

Prediction: Oklahoma - 38 Miami - 17 Reality: Miami - 21 Oklahoma - 20 I guess I underestimated “The U” a bit this year. Their defense was up to the challenge and so far this season, their team has been as well.

Dog of the Week

Prediction: Syracuse - 27 South Florida - 24 Reality: South Florida - 34 Syracuse - 20 Had Greg Paulus not been picked off five times, the Orange might have had a shot.

Results Week five was ugly as I compiled a 2-5 record in ACC games. I also lost yet another underdog game, bringing my total in that department to 1-4. My grand total for conference predictions comes to 28 of 46 (Ouch). My percentage of correct picks dropped to 61% compared to 67% by Heather Dinich. She won one more game than I did this week, which makes her total 31 of 46 games picked correctly. You know, only three games separate us which doesn’t make me feel as bad about my rough week. Though I’m worried now about the upcoming results from weeks six and seven. Oh well. Gotta face the music.

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Old Picks of the Litter Results: Week 6 October 24, 2009 Only being down by three games to Heather Dinich isn’t that bad. Though if my memory serves me, week six wasn’t anything spectacular as far as predictions go. Going into week six, I was 28 of 46 in conference games and Heather was 31 of 46. Let’s see how I fared.

Week 6 Boston College @ #5 Virginia Tech

Prediction: VT - 27 BC - 21 Reality: VT - 48 BC - 14 Wow. I didn’t know Tech had that kind of offense in them. This was a pretty fun game to watch; unless you’re an Eagles fan.

Georgia Southern @ North Carolina

Prediction: UNC - 31 GS - 6 Reality: UNC - 42 GS - 12 The Tar Heels used this game to work out some kinks in their offense. I’d say it worked.

Indiana @ Virginia

Prediction: UVA - 27 Indiana - 24 Reality: UVA - 47 Indiana - 7 The offensive explosion continued in the ACC as Virginia picked up a huge win over the Hoosiers.

Duke @ N.C. State

Prediction: NCSU - 31 Duke - 21 Reality: Duke - 49 NCSU - 28 You’ve gotta hand it to Thaddeus Lewis. The senior QB torched N.C. State and gave Duke enough momentum to possibly get to a bowl.

Maryland @ Wake Forest

Prediction: Wake - 28 Maryland - 17 Reality: Wake - 42 Maryland - 32 I guess week six was the week the defenses in the conference took off. Another high scoring affair with the Deacons holding on late.

Florida A&M @ #11 Miami

Prediction: Miami - 31 Florida A&M - 13 Reality: Miami - 48 Florida A&M - 16 The Hurricanes kept their remarkable season going with a convincing win at home. #22 Georgia Tech @ Florida State

Prediction: FSU - 34 GT - 24 Reality: GT - 49 FSU - 44 Seriously! Where is the defense? I guess I was a little bit too confident with FSU’s “D”. The

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Jackets and ‘Noles gave us a barn-burner.

Dog of the Week

Prediction: Michigan - 31 #12 Iowa - 27 Reality: #12 Iowa - 30 Michigan - 28 Iowa held on late in a great Big Ten match-up.

Results Week six was a better week for my predictions as I produced a 5-2 record in conference games.

I again lost an underdog pick, moving my record to 1-5 for upset picks. My record in ACC games improved to 33 of 53 though, giving me a percentage of 62 on the year. But Heather gained yet another game on me going 6-1 on the week. Her total for the year is now 37 of 53 for almost 70% picked correctly. She’s beginning to separate herself from me a bit. Let’s hope week seven doesn’t take me too far away from my competition.

Old Picks of the Litter Results: Week 7 October 24, 2009 These are the last of my “neglected” results as week eight is almost upon us. Technically, it has already begun with Florida State defeating North Carolina Thursday night. By the way, I picked the ‘Noles to win. I just thought I’d throw that out there. Before we can get into how great my one pick was, we have to finish compiling all of the old results. Week seven began with me trailing Heather Dinich by four games. Through 53 conference games I had successfully picked 62% (33 of 53), while Heather had predicted 70% correct (37 of 53). Needless to say, I can’t afford to lose too much ground.

Week 7 Wake Forest @ Clemson

Prediction: Clemson - 30 Wake - 24 Reality: Clemson - 38 Wake - 3 Ouch. Clemson jumped all over Wake and played well on both sides of the football.

N.C. State @ Boston College

Prediction: NCSU - 28 BC - 21 Reality: BC - 52 NCSU - 20 This game was just painful to watch. Boston College pushed State around all game and exposed even more holes in the Wolfpack defense.

Virginia @ Maryland

Prediction: Maryland - 24 Virginia - 17 Reality: Virginia - 20 Maryland - 9 I may need to rethink my opinion about the Cavaliers; though they were only playing Maryland. #4 Virginia Tech @ #19 Georgia Tech

Prediction: VT - 31 GT - 27 Reality: GT - 28 VT - 23

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I knew a “Tech” would win! I just thought that Virginia Tech was the more complete team. I guess that’s why they play the game. #9 Miami @ Central Florida

Prediction: Miami - 28 UCF - 17 Reality: Miami - 27 UCF - 7 Miami avoided being complacent and took care of business once again.

Dog of the Week

Prediction: Wisconsin - 27 #11 Iowa - 24 Reality: #11 Iowa - 20 Wisconsin - 10 Way to prove me wrong two weeks in a row Iowa! The defense played well and the offense did enough to win. Some are picking the Hawkeyes to go down in week 8 though. Will I? Results Out of five conference games, I finished the week 2-3. My competition finished yet another game ahead at 3-2. That brings my overall record to 35 of 58 for 60%. Heather’s total is now 40 of 58 for 69%. Week eight needs to be a big week for me. I can’t keep losing a game in the standings every week. I’m already off to a good start with the FSU game, especially since Heather picked UNC. I’ve got to make some good picks the rest of the way though. It’ll be an uphill climb, but I’m up to the challenge.

Picks of the Litter: Week 8 October 24, 2009 N.C. State has a bye week this week, which means I get to sit in my recliner and flip back and forth between games all day. The conference has a number of good games on tap, with a couple of interesting non-conference games as well. I’m off to a good start with my picks this week as Florida State helped my cause Thursday night by winning in Chapel Hill. I’ve still got a ways to go before I catch Heather Dinich though. After the game on Thursday night, which she lost, she is sitting at 40 of 59 for just under 68%. I am 36 of 59 for 61% predicted correctly. I’ve got more opportunities to gain ground in the standings, so I’d better make these picks count. #12 Georgia Tech @ Virginia: The Cavs are riding a lot of momentum due to their 2-0 start in the conference, but they face a tough test this week. Georgia Tech is coming off a huge win over Virginia Tech, so they have to be careful not to suffer a letdown on the road. Virginia will play well, but the Jackets have too much offense to not win this game. If Tech’s defense has trouble though, Virginia could pull the upset.

Georgia Tech: 27

Virginia: 21

Maryland @ Duke: This game is a tough one to predict. I could see Duke winning because of their momentum, but I could see Maryland winning because of their desperation. With those two factors being key, I give the edge to Duke who is playing at home and with a lot of confidence. An anxious Maryland squad could be prone to mental mistakes.

Duke: 35

Maryland: 24

Boston College @ Notre Dame: Though the Eagles are coming off a big win against N.C. State, the Fighting Irish need this one bad. The home crowd will be pumped and I have a feeling that

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points won’t be easy to find. I give Notre Dame the edge at home against an inconsistent BC team.

Notre Dame: 27

Boston College: 17

Clemson @ #10 Miami: I can’t wait to watch this game. Both teams have a lot on the line as the divisional races continue to heat up. Though for some reason I’m still not sold on the Hurricanes, I like them in this game. Clemson is good enough to win, but I feel like Miami’s defense will make key plays to quell the Tigers’ assault.

Miami: 31

Clemson: 20

Wake Forest @ Navy: Part of me wants to pick Wake Forest because of the “bounce back” ability of Jim Grobe. But Navy might have the upper hand Saturday. The homecoming crowd will be rowdy and the Midshipmen are riding a four game win streak. The field conditions could be pretty sloppy, but that favors a running game, which Navy has plenty of.

Navy: 24

Wake: 17

Dog of the Week Oklahoma @ #25 Kansas: I know this isn’t a huge upset pick, but in the standings it would classify as an upset. Oklahoma just saw their star quarterback go down for the second time this year and now they have to go on the road to face a Kansas team and their potent offense. The Sooners surprise the Jayhawks with great defense and a capable backup QB in Landry Jones.

Oklahoma: 28

Kansas: 24

It should be another great week of college football with top 25 action and intriguing conference match-ups all around. The ACC will have a lot going on tomorrow as teams continue to fight for position in the standings. Have fun watching ACC fans! I know I will.

Washington Sidelined October 26, 2009 Apparently a team can still lose during a bye week. It was announced today that freshman running back James Washington will miss the rest of 2009 with a knee injury. Tom O’ Brien said that the injury occurred Thursday during practice when Washington jumped for a ball. This freak incident adds to an injury list that seems to grow every week for the Pack. N.C. State’s injury report now looks like this: Out for the Season •

Mario Carter, TE - knee

•

Ryan Cheek, LB - hip

•

Denzelle Good, OL - shoulder

•

Nate Irving, LB - leg

•

Colby Jackson, FB - knee

•

Everett Proctor, QB - shoulder

•

Javon Walker, S - knee

•

Jeff Rieskamp, DE - hip

•

Rashard Smith, CB - knee

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•

James Washington, RB - knee

Picks of the Litter Results: Week 8 October 28, 2009 I was already off to a good start to the weekend with FSU beating Carolina, but that still left me four games behind Heather in our prediction challenge. After the FSU game, I was 36 of 59 while Heather was 40 of 59. I can’t gloat over one win, so let’s see how the rest of my week went.

Florida State @ North Carolina

Prediction: FSU - 27 Reality: FSU - 30

UNC - 17

UNC - 27

The Seminoles rallied from nearly 20 points down in the second half to win a big conference game on the road. Needless to say, the life was sucked right out of Kenan Stadium. How sad. #12 Georgia Tech @ Virginia

Prediction: GT - 27 Reality: GT - 34

UVA - 21

UVA - 9

The Ramblin’ Wreck picked up a nice road win placing them in the driver’s seat in the Coastal Division. Who needs a passing game?

Maryland @ Duke

Prediction: Duke - 35 Reality: Duke - 17

Maryland - 24

Maryland - 13

Thaddeus Lewis had another great game and the Devils defense held their own. It’s amazing what confidence can do for a team.

Boston College @ Notre Dame

Prediction: ND - 27 Reality: ND - 20

BC - 17

BC - 16

The Eagles couldn’t duplicate their offensive output from a week ago against N.C. State. The Fighting Irish rallied against BC snapping a six game losing streak to the Eagles.

Clemson @ #10 Miami

Prediction: Miami - 31

Clemson - 20

Reality: Clemson - 40

Miami - 37 OT

I knew this was going to be a great game, but I never expected this. After a scoreless first quarter, both teams traded jabs at each other until the team that had the ball last won it. The offenses on both sides were sharp, but the story of this game was Clemson’s C.J. Spiller. Spiller returned yet another kickoff for a touchdown in route to a 310 yard day for the do-it-all back. I had the opportunity to meet C.J. at the ACC Kickoff this summer and I have to say that his success is well deserved. It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. Let’s just hope he misses the bus to Raleigh!

Wake Forest @ Navy

Prediction: Navy - 24

Wake - 17

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Reality: Navy - 13

Wake - 10

The Midshipmen made people take a second look at the box score after their homecoming win over the Demon Deacons. On a day when it seemed Annapolis was in the middle of monsoon season Navy ran the ball 64 times without attempting a single pass. The Midshipmen racked up 338 yards on the ground and extended their win streak to five games. I guess even Navy’s football team is comfortable in the water.

Dog of the Week

Prediction: Oklahoma - 28 Reality: Oklahoma - 35

#25 Kansas - 24

#25 Kansas - 13

The Sooners rallied behind new starting QB Landry Jones and showed the Jayhawks that they are still a formidable foe. OU’s defense was the difference maker, picking off Kansas’ Todd Reesing three times.

Results It looks like week eight was a good one. In conference play, I went 5-1 with my only loss coming in the Clemson game. I’ll take that though, especially since Heather had a 3-3 record this week.

That brings my overall record to 40 of 64 predicted correctly for 62.5%. Heather’s record is now 43 of 64 for 67%. Though I can’t get too excited, I can celebrate a little bit because I’m back in the race. There’s still a long way to go and I’m right on Heather’s heels. By the way, I correctly picked my “Dog of the Week,” which brings my record for the year to 2-6 (Ouch). Thank goodness I didn’t challenge Heather to underdog picks!

Pick of the Litter: Week 9 October 29, 2009 Tonight, UNC will try once again to win on Thursday night. The only difference is they’ll play in Blacksburg instead of in the comfy confines of Kenan Stadium. This game is huge for both teams with Tech needing a win to stay in the hunt in the Coastal and Carolina needing a win for confidence. The Heels are trying to avoid going 0-4 in conference play, but it’ll be tough tonight. Their defense will keep them in it, but I’m not sure the offense has enough to pull this one out. If Virginia Tech’s Tyrod Taylor gets comfortable, the Hokies chances could skyrocket.

Virginia Tech: 24 UNC: 17

N.C. State @ Florida State: Preview October 30, 2009 After three deflating losses in ACC play, N.C. State is back in action Saturday as they travel down I-95 to take on Florida State. The Seminoles are coming off a huge win in Chapel Hill last Thursday night, where they rallied late for their first ACC win. This week, the Pack will try to notch their first conference win of 2009 against a Seminole team that in some ways mirrors the Wolfpack. FSU has had issues on the defensive side of the ball, while their offense has been mostly consistent all year. The Seminoles are last in the conference in total defense, pass defense and rushing defense. N.C. State’s problems have been their pass defense, ranked 10th

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in the conference this year, though many questioned the run defense after week seven’s debacle in Chestnut Hill. Against Boston College, the Pack gave up almost 300 rushing yards in route to a 52-20 thumping by the Eagles. One defense will have to step up on Saturday or it’ll be a long day for the scoreboard operator.

History on the Wolfpack’s Side?

Florida State and N.C. State have met 29 times on the football field with the Seminoles winning 20 of those games. Since 1999 however, both teams have alternated two game winning streaks against each other. With the Pack winning in ‘05 and ‘06 and the Seminoles taking ‘07 and ‘08, could this be the Pack’s year?

“Oh GaNo” In last year’s battle in Raleigh, 14 points were scored by FSU’s veteran kicker Graham Gano.

Gano kicked two extra points along with four field goals ranging from 37 to 53 yards. With the final score 26-17, the Seminole kicker turned out to be the difference maker. Freshman Dustin Hopkins now handles the kicking duties for Florida State and his kicks could come up big against the Wolfpack. Hopkins is 10 of 15 on field goals this season and 19 of 23 on extra points. Though the freshman has a strong leg, he may be kicking with a lot more pressure if the game stays close.

Keys to the Game: N.C. State 1. 3rd Downs - During their current three game losing streak, N.C. State is converting 39% of their third down conversions. When you compare that to the 56% converted by their opponents during that stretch, you’ve got a recipe for disaster. When you’re offense can’t convert it not only keeps you from scoring, it keeps putting your defense on the field. When you’re defense can’t stop anybody because they’re tired or just not playing well, that keeps your offense off the field. N.C. State has to find a way to keep giving their offense opportunities and their defense rest. It’s a simple concept, but it’s easier said than done.

2. Right Last Year’s Wrongs - Though N.C. State was in the game until the very end last year, they didn’t do enough to win the football game. Florida State had the ball for 38 minutes compared to N.C. State’s 22. Not to mention the fact that the Pack went 1 for 9 on third downs while the ‘Noles went 10 of 17 (told ya key #1 was important). 2008 saw a turnover-free game with penalties being pretty equal on both sides. The Wolfpack need to play smart, disciplined football to win while being wary of errors made in ‘08.

3. DEFENSE….PERIOD!!!! - This will probably be a reoccurring theme the rest of the year. At some point the Wolfpack defense has got to step up. Many fans were placing the blame solely on the secondary after two aerial assaults by Wake Forest and Duke, but following week seven’s game at Boston College, the entire defense is under scrutiny. The Eagles racked up almost 300 yards rushing against the Pack, causing concern among the coaches and the fanbase. The front four for N.C. State need to do a better job creating havoc for the opposing quarterback. That will take some pressure off the secondary and lead to quick possessions for opposing offenses.

The linebackers need to do a better job communicating as they are the field generals of the defense. Whether it is a run or a pass, everyone needs to know their assignments. Finally, the secondary needs to simply step it up. They’ve been the punching bag of the ACC since last year and it is time they take whatever is left of their pride and prove that they can play division IA football. Cover your men and stay in your zones! That is my inspirational speech to the defense.

Keys to the Game: Florida State 1. Protect Their House - Believe it or not, Florida State’s home record this season is 1-3. That’s

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surprising when you think of the history behind Doak Campbell Stadium. Though it is still a hostile environment, the game this Saturday won’t be as raucous as a night game in Tallahassee.

The Pack and ‘Noles will face off at high noon, which could mean a slightly more “relaxed” crowd for Florida State. The Seminoles need to play well early to keep their home-field advantage and improve their record at home.

2. Get Ponder Comfortable - Without a doubt, the best thing about Florida State this year has been the play of junior quarterback Christian Ponder. Ponder has completed 70% of his passes this year while throwing for 12 touchdowns and only 1 interception. His consistent play has kept the Seminoles in every game this year and he’ll be needed if FSU is going to make a late run to the postseason. He’ll need to find holes in the Wolfpack secondary and exploit them for the home team to win.

3. Defensive Consistency - At times this year, the Seminole defense has shown signs of improvement. They are fast and talented, but have yet to play a complete game as one unit.

Though the future looks bright for FSU defensively, changes in the present need to be made to finish strong in 2009. Florida State’s defense will be challenged Saturday, but consistency is the key. If they stay disciplined and stay focused, a successful season can still be within reach.

What This Means Winning Saturday in Tallahassee will be a challenge for the Wolfpack. Their defense is struggling and confidence is hard to come by on both sides of the ball. Russell Wilson will need to play well, but he’ll need some help. That means the offensive line must open up holes for Jamelle Eugene, Toney Baker and the Wolfpack ground attack. N.C. State’s receivers will also share some responsibility because they’ll need to get open and make catches when opportunities present themselves. It will take a full team effort for a Wolfpack victory on Saturday, but I like our chances. I think the bye week gave the players and coaches some time to reflect and correct some glaring mistakes. Tom O’ Brien will have his team ready and a shootout will more than likely ensue. It should be a great game, as both teams need this one bad.

N.C. State: 35 Florida State: 31 History is on our side.

Graham, Michel Out For Saturday October 30, 2009 N.C. State got some unsettling news recently as it was announced that sophomore T.J. Graham and senior Ray Michel will miss the Florida State game with injuries. Graham injured his leg against Boston College and Michel injured his ankle. Without Graham, the Wolfpack will have to look elsewhere for punt and kick returners. Some possibilities for the Pack are Clem Johnson, Jamelle Eugene and Donald Bowens. All three have experience returning kicks and punts, but Graham’s athleticism will certainly be missed.

Possibly the bigger loss of the two is the loss of senior middle linebacker Ray Michel. Michel has led the team in tackles all year long and is a veteran leader on an inexperienced defense. The absence of Michel means that sophomore Dwayne Maddox will start in his place. Maddox joins Terrell Manning and Audie Cole to form a talented yet vulnerable linebacking corps. Manning has started since early October, taking the spot reserved for Nate Irving before his season-

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ending injury during the preseason. Maddox has played a reserve role for some of this season and had valuable playing time last year while Irving was injured.

These injuries don’t automatically doom the Pack, but it does make winning a lot more difficult.

The loss of Michel puts a lot of pressure on the linebackers as they must stay disciplined and focused against a very capable FSU offense. Graham’s loss hurts as well, but it simply opens the door for other return-men and receivers to take advantage of this opportunity. Look for redshirt sophomore receiver Jay Smith to get more playing time in offensive sets. Hopefully the Pack will be able to overcome these unfortunate injuries.

O’Brien Stands By Archer October 30, 2009 The N.C. State defense has been under a lot of scrutiny during their current three-game losing streak, prompting fans to pin the blame on defensive coordinator Mike Archer. Though it is easy to point at the coaching staff for the Wolfpack’s faults this year, at some point you have to look at the players. It could just be that Archer has the correct defensive schemes in place, but the players aren’t where they need to be come game time. That is a product of inexperience and as we all know, experience can’t be taught. As Wolfpack fans, we need to be patient. Tom O’Brien is the right man for the job and if he believes in his coaching staff so should we. The whole reason we are called the “Wolfpack Faithful,” is because in difficult times, we keep the faith.

I know this year hasn’t panned out like we had hoped, but maybe our expectations were a bit too high. Last year, we finished strong to earn a .500 record and bowl eligibility. We did that with the ACC’s worst pass defense and following a four-game losing streak where we lost three games by less than nine points. We fought back last year and we’ll do it again in 2009. We as Wolfpack fans must stay faithful and believe in our coaching staff and our players. If we do, then years from now when Tom O’Brien has N.C. State among the nation’s best, we can say we stood by our team when things weren’t so pretty. I’m not saying we’re going to win every game from here on out. I’m just saying that better days are ahead and we’ll get there together; as Wolfpack Nation!

Picks of the Litter: Week 9 October 31, 2009 Happy Halloween ACC fans! Week nine has already gotten off to a scary start with Carolina upsetting Virginia Tech in Blacksburg Thursday night. My record in my prediction challenge with Heather Dinich is 40 of 64 games picked correctly (disregarding the UNC game) for 62.5%.

Heather’s record is 43 of 64 for 67%, so I’ve still got some work to do to make up those three games.

N.C. State: 35 Florida State: 31 Clemson: 38 Coastal Carolina: 10 Boston College: 27 Central Michigan: 21 #19 Miami: 35 Wake Forest: 24 Duke: 27 Virginia: 17 #11 Georgia Tech: 31 Vanderbilt: 13

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Dog of the Week: #10 Oregon: 28

#5 USC: 27

I’ll explain these picks later. For some reason technology doesn’t like me today. Happy Halloween Everybody!

What Just Happened?

October 31, 2009 It’s halftime in Tallahassee and FSU and N.C. State are tied 21-21. That’s all well and good, but I’m concerned with what happened right before halftime. N.C. State intercepted Christian Ponder with about a minute left in the half and the Wolfpack had the ball in FSU territory with three timeouts left. I have absolutely no explanation for what happened next. N.C. State had the ball at the Seminole 38 yard line with 30 seconds left to play. The clock was moving but instead of calling one of their three timeouts, the Wolfpack decided to burn 20 seconds and earned an illegal shift penalty on their third down play. That left the pack with less than 10 seconds to move the ball which was now spotted at the FSU 43. Russell Wilson’s next pass was thrown in desperation and was picked off to end the half. The mind-boggling move by the NCSU coaching staff not to call timeout with 30 seconds left is one that I am still trying to wrap my head around. Instead of going into the half with the lead and momentum, N.C. State will have to settle for a tie game and questions of what could have been. Hopefully that questionable move won’t come back to bite them.

Quick Hits November 4, 2009 Hey guys and gals. Sorry for the brief delay in posts. I’ve got a barrage coming your way though so be ready! Here are a couple of “quick hits” for ya’ll to enjoy on your Humpday. Just a few more days until the Homecoming game for the Wolfpack!

• Gametime for the Homecoming game against Maryland is set for 1 p.m. ESPN360.com will be broadcasting the game, but as always, the Wolfpack Sports Network will cover the game live starting an hour prior to kickoff. For Triangle fans, tune into mix 101.5. For more stations covering the game throughout the area, click here.

• Redshirt freshman R.J. Mattes is out for the year after tearing is ACL in last week’s game at Florida State. Mattes is the 11th Wolfpack player to be lost for the season. Senior Andy Barbee will replace Mattes on the offensive line.

Pick of the Litter: Week 10 November 5, 2009 The ACC again takes center stage tonight as Virginia Tech travels to Greenville, NC to take on ECU. The Hokies will attempt to end a two-game drought tonight against the Pirates who are currently the leaders of Eastern Division of Conference USA. East Carolina upset the Hokies last year and will try to ride their home-field-advantage to gain another victory tonight. The Hokies, on the other hand need a win badly as their confidence has taken a hit of late. The Hokies lost to Georgia Tech in week 7 by five points, then lost to UNC last week at home by three. Virginia

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Tech and ECU each have 5-3 records and tonight’s match-up should be a highly competitive one.

Here’s how I see it. By the way, check back in later for my prediction results from last week. #23 Virginia Tech: 34 East Carolina: 20 The Pirates are good, but the Hokies are angry. Losing one game is bad enough for VT, but two in a row is a rarity. Tyrod Taylor will rally his offense and Patrick Pinkney’s inabilities will be exploited as the Hokies pick up a big road win.

Update November 6, 2009 Hey guys and gals. I just wanted to make sure you knew that I have not forgotten about you.

I’ve been a little “out of sorts” of late due to personal reasons, but I’ll be back on track by tonight. Speaking of this evening, be sure to check back in later for a preview of the Maryland game as well as post-game thoughts from last week’s shootout and more “Picks of the Litter.”

Thanks for your patience. It’s been one of those weeks. Thank goodness for college football!

Missed Opportunities Doom Pack November 7, 2009 A shootout is what people expected last Saturday in Tallahassee and a shootout is what they got. Florida State and N.C. State combined for over 1,000 yards of total offense and 87 total points in a game that defenses took off. The end result was a 45-42 victory by the Seminoles, boosting their confidence heading into week 10 and deflating any glimmer from the Pack. The game went back and forth with both teams sharing jabs at each other while praying that one defense would show up. Unfortunately for the Wolfpack, the Seminoles’ “D” did just enough to win last Saturday.

N.C. State’s offense was clicking on all cylinders, with Russell Wilson throwing for 349 yards and 5 touchdowns. Also rolling was the NCSU ground game as Toney Baker led the way with 112 hard-fought yards. The Wolfpack racked up 189 rushing yards in the game bringing their total yards to 538. The only dim spots were third-down conversions and clock management. N.C. State was 4-10 on third downs and while that statistic doesn’t seem all that bad, one or two more first downs and there could have been celebrating in Raleigh. The clock management issue came up just before halftime after N.C. State had intercepted Christian Ponder in FSU territory with about a minute left. I wrote a short blog about it shortly after it happened, but it still needs to be addressed. You can’t have the ball in your opponent’s territory with a minute to go before halftime and three timeouts and not produce any points! The coaching staff and players should’ve been more aware and not let thirty seconds tick off before a timeout is called.

That is a mistake that is bound to come back to haunt you. The time loss caused the offense to get flustered and Russell Wilson threw an interception to end the half. This miscue wasn’t the sole cause of our loss, but it sure didn’t help matters much.

The other missed opportunity last Saturday was the turnover by our defense that wasn’t. During the middle of the third quarter, the Pack and ‘Noles were tied at 28 after one of three Jarvis Williams’ touchdown receptions. Florida State had the ball at their own 30 yard line and on first down, Christian Ponder threw his second pick of the day. Ponder attempted to throw a screen

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pass, but Natanu Mageo intercepted it at the 25. Mageo held on to the ball and rumbled the other way with a Seminole close behind. That Seminole was Jarmon Fortson who, at the 18 yard line, stripped the ball out of Mageo’s hands and recovered it himself. In that brief amount of time, N.C. State went from on top of the world excited, to wondering what might have been.

The Seminoles turned that Wolfpack mistake into a field goal which in the end, would be the difference in the game.

The bottom line for the Wolfpack is that there is no more room for error. Starting in week 10 against Maryland, N.C. State must win the remainder of their games to gain bowl eligibility. That seems a big stretch for a team with as many issues as State. Though, it has been done before.

Just last year, the Wolfpack had to win its remaining four regular season games to get to six wins and earn a bowl birth. This year, the goal is seven and with four to go, it is certainly an uphill climb. N.C. State must take it one game at a time though and realize that mistakes must be corrected for overall improvement to show. Easier said than done.

Maryland @ N.C. State: Preview November 7, 2009 A week after N.C. State’s latest loss, the Wolfpack players and coaches aren’t the only ones looking for answers. I have spent the past week scratching my head over what the keys are to turning this season around. I’ve looked at stats on third-downs, time of possession and numerous other important figures of interest. Yet nothing has jumped out at me as the lone ingredient for Wolfpack success in this final, four-game stretch. So, for this week and possibly the next three, N.C. State’s keys will focus on one word; FUNDAMENTALS! That’s right. The most basic concept in all of sports. The idea that if you find a way to score more than your opponent, more than likely, you’ll win. The simplicity of a game where you run the ball, you throw the ball and you catch the ball. Maybe my keys that I’ve presented every week for the Pack have been too complex. Maybe my keys are correct, but the players aren’t responding to my approaches yet. Looks like I’ve got a lot more in common with Mike Archer than I thought.

Seriously though, these next four weeks will be about simplicity for the Wolfpack. Though there is still a great deal of pressure on them, with the right attitude and type of play, State can turn this thing around.

Keys to the Game: N.C. State 1. Create Turnovers - Maryland is a capable football team, but not when they turn the ball over. It seems the main thing standing in the way of the Terrapins being a good football team is themselves. They shoot themselves in the foot entirely too much and it has hurt them this year.

The Wolfpack forced a couple of turnovers last week against FSU, but they were unable to turn them into any points. N.C. State will need to win the turnover battle Saturday and put constant pressure on Maryland.

2. Continuity - Coach Tom O’Brien said that he would stick with the same secondary he had against Florida State when the Pack face the Terrapins. This is a change as he had been attempting to find all the right fits at those various positions. Injuries have depleted his options but in the end, continuity won out over more changes. The group will need to do a good job keeping Maryland’s receivers in check as Chris Turner and his receiving corps are hungry for a big game.

3. Baker-Ball - Toney Baker had an inspired rushing performance in last week’s loss to Florida

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State. The senior ran for 112 on 19 carries and seemed to carry a Seminole defender with him on every gain. The bruising back will need to have another productive day as his ability adds balance to an offense that has been very potent this season.

Keys to the Game: Maryland 1. Limited Mistakes - I’ve already explained briefly why mistakes are so bad for Maryland, but it needs to be restated. The Terrapins have potential, but they aren’t good enough to overcome self-inflicted wounds. Chris Turner will need to be the leader Maryland needs and prove his ability to his teammates and himself.

2. Exploit - By now everyone in the country knows how bad State’s defense is. Maryland will get their opportunities, but they need to take advantage of them. N.C. State is so inexperienced on defense due to injuries, so Maryland has got to have a good offensive day to stay with the Pack.

3. Balance - To win on Saturday, Maryland must play quite a game. They need to have everyone click on offense and the defense to take a stand. Most people forget but the Terrapins upset Clemson earlier in the year with this same concept. In that game, the Terps’ had just enough offense to finish off the Tigers while their defense held on for dear life. In their losses, one or the other wasn’t clicking on that day, either the offense or the “D.” Maryland still has some confidence, but how far will that confidence take them come Saturday?

What This Means This means that besides the six keys above, fundamentals will loom large on Saturday. Both teams need to simplify their processes and reorganize their priorities. Though their records aren’t great, it is still a big game for both sides. Both teams have a lot to play for as the season draws to a close.

Picking the Pack last week was a stretch, but it almost paid off. I feel a good deal more confident in my pick this week. N.C. State should win, though it could be another nail-biting classic in conference play. I guess there’s only one way to find out. Enjoy tomorrow’s games everyone.

Check in periodically for blogs during the game and afterward for my post-game thoughts. Who knows? I might even have some more pregame thoughts before 1:00 on Saturday.

N.C. State: 34 Maryland: 27

Picks of the Litter: Week 10 November 7, 2009 Man, I love college football. Even though State’s season hasn’t gone according to plan, college football is still great to watch. Here’s hoping my picks go as well as the State game should go today!

Virginia @ #17 Miami: The Hurricanes are coming off an amazing come-from-behind win at Wake last week, so I doubt they’ll be looking past Virginia. The Cavs will want to catch Miami napping, but after last week, the “U” will be ready. Miami’s offense is just too much for UVA in this one. Though Al Groh might have some last minute job-saving tactics left in his repertoire.

Miami: 31 UVA: 20 Maryland @ N.C. State: Maryland QB Chris Turner made a pretty ridiculous statement earlier

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this week. He said that though this season has been disappointing for the Terrapins, they still have a chance to win the Atlantic Division. Though that statement is mathematically true, Maryland (2-6; 1-3 ACC) will have to dramatically improve to reach that goal. Their one win in conference play is over front-runner Clemson, but a lot of things will still have to go their way for an ACC title-game birth to happen. Their dream should die today as the Wolfpack are looking to turn their season around.

N.C. State -34 Maryland - 27 Wake Forest @ #10 Georgia Tech: Wake got good news this week when it was reported that QB Riley Skinner was cleared to play against the Jackets. It might help their chances a little, but Tech looks like a focused football team as they roll toward a probable ACC title-game birth. The Jackets’ defense is vulnerable, but Tech should be too much today.

Georgia Tech - 31 Wake Forest - 21 Duke @ UNC: This game is a tough one to pick. Part of me wants to pick Duke because of the enjoyment I get from watching Carolina suffer, but I’m still not so sure. UNC is coming off a huge win against Virginia Tech, but rivalry games are hard to predict. I really want to pick Duke, but with Carolina’s defense and how difficult it is to fathom Duke winning four straight conference games, I’m going with the Heels. Though I’ll sacrifice a correct prediction for a Carolina loss.

UNC -27 Duke - 24 Florida State @ Clemson: This is another one of those games that is pretty difficult to predict.

FSU is back on track with two straight wins, but Clemson controls its own destiny. If the Tigers win out, they’ll represent the Atlantic Division in the ACC title game. The Seminole offense is good, but Clemson’s defense could be up to the challenge. The Tiger “D” could be the difference as both offenses can score at will. A little advice for Florida State; don’t kick to C.J. Spiller!

Clemson -34 Florida State - 28 Dog of the Week Navy @ #22 Notre Dame: This rivalry is always a fun one to watch. Navy loves to run the ball and everyone knows it. But it seems like no one can stop their rushing attack, even though they see it coming. The Fighting Irish are vying for a BCS bowl birth, but I don’t think they’re worthy of it. They’ll have a tough game today and I think the ball could bounce Navy’s way with a lot of pressure on the Irish.

Navy - 30 Notre Dame - 27 Well ACC fans, it should be yet another great week of college football. We’ve got great weather here in Raleigh and a lot of great games on tap all over the country. Let’s see if we can string some wins together. Enjoy your day and GO PACK!

Pack Up 24-21 at the Half

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November 7, 2009 N.C. State is up 24-21 at halftime against Maryland. The Wolfpack hold the advantage in total yards with 292 to Maryland’s 179. Russell Wilson has thrown for 237 yards with 3 touchdowns and 2 picks. Maryland’s Chris Turner was knocked out of the game in the second quarter due to an apparent knee injury. It is unclear whether or not he will come back in this game, but he has thrown for 135 yards so far with 1 interception. N.C. State is playing very well so far except for the three turnovers on offense. The defense has actually played well so far, only giving up 14 points (one of Wilson’s interceptions was returned for a touchdown). It should be an exciting second half. Check back in after the third quarter for another update.

Smith’s Return Makes it 31-28 Pack November 7, 2009 Maryland’s Torrey Smith just returned a kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown. That quickly answered a nice drive by the Pack that resulted in a Russell Wilson touchdown run. I don’t want to have to outscore everyone, but….

Pack Clinging to Lead November 7, 2009 N.C. State is holding on to a 31-28 lead against Maryland as the fourth quarter gets ready to begin. If you look at the box score it might confuse you. State has over 400 total yards while Maryland has still yet to crack 200. The reason the Terrapins are still in this game is an 80 yard kickoff return by Torrey Smith and a 70 yard interception return by Alex Wujciak. So basically, the defense has done a pretty good job today, only giving up 14 points in three quarters. State now has the ball at Maryland’s goal line after a big pass to Owen Spencer. Let’s see if they can punch it in.

Pack Hangs On November 9, 2009 Well it’s about time. After a month-long losing streak that saw the Wolfpack give up 176 points in just four games, N.C. State finally found themselves on the right end of a barn-burner. In front of a homecoming crowd, N.C. State held off a persistent Maryland team 38-31. The story was about the same for the Wolfpack, with maybe a tweak here or there. In the midst of their fourgame losing streak all of the focus had been on the defense. The extra attention was warranted given how vulnerable the Pack’s defense had been of late. At this point in the season not many had predicted the Pack to be under .500 with lopsided losses to Duke and Boston College, respectively. Be that as it may, after a relieving win over the Terrapins on Saturday, the defense received some much needed positive attention.

Though the final score was 38-31 in favor of the Wolfpack, the 31 points scored by the visitors is misleading. The Wolfpack defense actually only allowed 17 total points, with the other two touchdowns coming from a kickoff return and an interception return. The stats back up the defense’s improved performance as well as Maryland could only muster 270 yards of total offense. Now I know 270 yards isn’t a defensive performance for the ages, but the way State’s

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defense had been playing, it is a step in the right direction.

N.C. State was also up to the challenge in crucial situations, as the Terrapins were 6-14 on third downs. That stat led to the decrease in time of possession as Maryland only had the ball for 25 minutes of the game. It’s a simple concept, but when you don’t have the ball, it’s harder to score (unless of course you’re Alex Wujciak). Though the defense was put in tough situations by the offense, such as the interception return by Wujciak, the often scrutinized unit held strong. They made plays when they needed to and they got the Wolfpack offense back on the field quickly.

They even did this while adjusting to a new quarterback, as the Terrapins lost their veteran Chris Turner early in the ball game. Turner injured his leg while being pressured by the Pack in the second quarter.

Except for a few turnovers, N.C. State’s offense picked up where it left off last Saturday in Tallahassee. Russell Wilson threw for over 300 yards and accounted for 4 total touchdowns while leading State’s balanced attack to a near 500 yard day. Toney Baker and Jamelle Eugene combined for over 100 yards on the ground as the offensive line did their part to open up holes and protect the QB. The offense will have to continue their recent success as they face a tough foe next week in Clemson. The Tigers control their own destiny in the Atlantic and looked poised and focused going into their final three-game stretch.

Though it wasn’t always pretty, the Wolfpack found a way to win. It couldn’t have come at a better time either as the Pack cannot afford any more losses if they want to go “Bowling.”

Getting the feel of a win should be a confidence builder for this team. They must build on their momentum quickly though as the Tigers will come ready to play next week. Improvement is still needed, especially with N.C. State’s upcoming three-game stretch, but this win could be just the spark the Wolfpack needed. Is another amazing finish to the season in the books? Only time will tell. For now, State still has a chance.

Baker Vying for One More Year November 11, 2009 N.C. State’s Toney Baker is crossing his fingers not only for a Wolfpack turnaround this season, but for one more year of eligibility. The senior running back missed almost two entire seasons after injuring his knee in 2007. N.C. State has sent a petition to the NCAA, hoping that Baker will be granted a sixth year. His presence in ‘10 would certainly help the Pack as he leads the team in rushing this season with 588 yards and 6 touchdowns. The Jamestown native is closing in on 2,000 rushing yards for his career and has raised his level of play as of late. He has run for almost 200 yards in the past two games, bursting through holes and carrying tacklers with him.

Head Coach Tom O’Brien is confident Baker’s petition will yield positive results. That’s good news for the Pack!

Picks of the Litter Results: Week 9 November 12, 2009 My, where has the time gone. It seems like just yesterday I was tailgating hours before the South Carolina game to open the season. Back then, Wolfpack fans and I had such high expectations for 2009 and the possibilities this new year could bring. Ten weeks and five tough losses later, reality stings. I have not given up on this season though, as most fans haven’t either. N.C. State

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still has a lot to play for as the season draws to a close and so do I. My prediction challenge with ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich is coming down to the wire and every pick counts. I’ve neglected to produce the results from the past two weeks, but no longer. After week eight, I had correctly predicted 40 of 64 conference games for 62.5%. Heather held a slight lead on me with 43 of 64 picked correctly for 67%. I’ve got some time to make up those three games, but I’ve got to do it quickly. In an unrelated but equally important matter, I was 2-6 in my underdog picks after week eight, so that needs some work as well. Let’s see how I fared.

Week 9 UNC @ #13 Virginia Tech

Prediction: VT - 24 Reality: UNC - 20

UNC - 17 VT - 17

UNC’s defense stepped up and Tech’s home-field advantage disappeared.

N.C. State @ Florida State

Prediction: NCSU - 35 Reality: FSU - 45

FSU - 31

NCSU - 42

Both defenses took the day off and the last team to score won.

Coastal Carolina @ Clemson

Prediction: Clemson - 38 Reality: Clemson - 49

Coastal - 10

Coastal - 3

Clemson is good. Coastal Carolina found that out the hard way.

Central Michigan @ Boston College

Prediction: Boston College - 27 Reality: Boston College - 31

Central Michigan - 21

Central Michigan - 10

The Eagles played well on both sides of the ball to earn this important non-conference win. #19 Miami @ Wake Forest

Prediction: Miami - 35 Reality: Miami - 28

Wake - 24

Wake - 27

What a way to lose. The Deacons looked like they had an upset in the bag, but the Hurricanes came roaring back.

Duke @ Virginia

Prediction: Duke - 27 Reality: Duke - 28

Virginia - 17

Virginia - 17

Forget about the game. I was only a point off! Not bad. #11 Georgia Tech @ Vanderbilt

Prediction: Georgia Tech - 31 Reality: Georgia Tech - 56

Vandy - 13

Vandy - 31

Offensive explosion! The Jackets just have too many weapons.

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Dog of the Week

Prediction: #10 Oregon - 28 Reality: #10 Oregon - 47

#5 USC - 27

#5 USC - 20

I like being right, but this is ridiculous. Oregon dismantled USC. Wow. Results My record for week nine was 5-2 with a win in my underdog game. That brought my overall record to 45 of 71 for 63%. I am also now 3-6 in my underdog picks. I’m getting there! Heather went 6-1 in week nine bringing her overall record to 49 of 71 for 69%. Picking the Wolfpack cost me a game. Time is running out.

Picks of the Litter Results: Week 10 November 12, 2009 After week nine, I had correctly picked 45 of 71 conference games for 63%. My competition, ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich was 49 of 71 though for 69%. I’ve got to raise my game to climb back into this. Let’s see if week ten helped at all.

Week 10 #Virginia Tech @ East Carolina

Prediction: VT - 34 Reality: VT - 16

ECU - 20

ECU - 3

This game was not fun to watch as both teams struggled to get anything going. The good teams are the ones that can win ugly though.

Virginia @ #17 Miami

Prediction: Miami - 31 Reality: Miami - 52

Virginia - 20

Virginia - 17

Miami took it too the Cavaliers after halftime. This one got ugly in a hurry.

Maryland @ N.C. State

Prediction: NCSU - 34 Reality: NCSU - 38

Maryland - 27

Maryland - 31

N.C. State played a good all around game to earn their first conference win of the year.

Improvement is certainly needed, but a win is a win.

Wake Forest @ #10 Georgia Tech

Prediction: GT - 31 Reality: GT - 30

WF - 21

WF - 27 (OT)

A gutsy call to go for it on fourth-down in OT made Paul Johnson look like a genius. That’s because it worked and the Jackets won.

Duke @ UNC

Prediction: UNC - 27 Reality: UNC - 19

Duke - 24

Duke - 6

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The game was as awkward as the score was. Neither team played great, but Carolina made more plays than the Devils.

Florida State @ Clemson

Prediction: Clemson - 34 Reality: Clemson - 40

Florida State - 28

Florida State - 24

Newsflash: Clemson is really good. They’ve come a long way this year and pounding FSU was just another step in the right direction for the Tigers.

Dog of the Week

Prediction: Navy - 30 Reality: Navy - 23

#22 Notre Dame - 27

#22 Notre Dame - 21

This was a pretty lucky pick, but I guess you’d rather be lucky than good. Navy played a solid game and they put a lot of pressure on this Notre Dame team for the rest of the year.

Results An undefeated week! I went 6-0 in conference play for week 10 and also bumped my “Dog of the Week” record to 4-6. The 6 correct ACC picks brought my overall record to 51 of 77 correctly predicted for 66%! Heather recorded a 5-1 mark for the week bringing her total to 54 of 77 for 70%. I’m three games back with a few weeks left! There’s still work to be done.

Clemson @ N.C. State: Preview November 13, 2009 Though the Wolfpack have to win out to go bowling in December, a bowl game awaits them Saturday afternoon. The annual “Textile Bowl” between Clemson and N.C. State will take place at noon tomorrow as these two rivals meet for the 78th time on the gridiron. Both universities pride themselves on their textile schools, which is how the name of the rivalry originated. A lot more will be on the line tomorrow though as both teams are playing for their postseason futures.

With a win, the Tigers inch closer to an Atlantic Division crown and a spot in the ACC title game.

A win for N.C. State keeps their bowl hopes in tact and leaves them two games away from postseason eligibility.

“Spiller Night” So what if I stole this from Clemson’s homecoming festivities? It’s still a nice play on words.

C.J. Spiller has been “Mr. Do-It-All” for the Tigers this year. In the last two conference games, the senior running back has amassed over 600 total yards while only slowing down for a sip of Gatorade. He isn’t the only weapon on the Tiger team, but he is the most dangerous. The more he touches the ball, the more opportunities Clemson has to score. Tiger fans feel very confident in their Heisman Trophy candidate and with good reason. Spiller’s quick strike ability has every opposing coach scratching his head as to how to defend him. The Pack must always be aware of where #28 is on the field. Otherwise, the only things breaking in Raleigh besides records will be the hearts of Wolfpack Nation.

“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” I just figured I’d keep going with the Michael Jackson theme. It does relate though, I promise.

The month of November has been a safe haven for the Wolfpack under Tom O’Brien’s watch.

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State is 7-2 in November and 5-0 since last season. The Wolfpack will need another strong finish this year as they’ll need to win their remaining three games to play again in December. It is a tough stretch, with games against Clemson, Virginia Tech and North Carolina remaining, but stranger things have happened. Remember, last season the Wolfpack successfully won-out to earn bowl eligibility. Why not this year?

Keys to the Game: N.C. State • Make Tigers One Dimensional: The Tigers’ offense is balanced and capable of putting up big numbers. The Wolfpack’s defense is vulnerable and has had problems stopping teams in the not so distant past. In order for State to have a chance Saturday, they must make Clemson’s offense one dimensional. Clemson’s offense is very balanced, so if State is able to cut off one particular source, opportunities could present themselves. My preference could be to cut off the running game and make Kyle Parker beat you, but I think he is capable of doing that. Especially against the Wolfpack secondary. Basically, the more ways you shut Clemson’s offense down the better.

• Red Zone Defense: Clemson’s weakness on offense is their red zone scoring. Currently, the Tigers are last in the league in that category; scoring 77% of the time they’re inside the 20. If State’s defense can keep the Tigers from getting too many points inside the red zone, it would certainly improve their chances of winning. A field goal can be seen as a moral victory for the Wolfpack defense. They have to play smart, aggressive football and take advantage of an area where Clemson has struggled.

• Offensive Aid: It is pretty much a guarantee that the Wolfpack offense will have to score a lot tomorrow to keep State in the game. They’ll need to take their opportunities when they come and take care of the football. Russell Wilson and company will be facing one of the better defenses in the conference and they’ll have to step up their play accordingly. Not only that, but sustained drives would go a long way as well. If State’s offense is able to stay on the field for awhile as they drive down to score, it will give the defense time to catch their breath and be rejuvenated on their next series. A lot will be placed on the shoulders of the offense tomorrow.

Hopefully they’ll be up to the task.

Keys to the Game: Clemson • C.J. SPILLER: The senior Heisman candidate has done just about everything for the Tigers this season as he hopes to lead them to their first birth in the ACC title game. C.J. has speed, power and vision that is practically unrivaled by any other back in the country. Head Coach Dabo Swinney will do just about anything to get the playmaker the ball. The more kicks he returns and the more touches he has the better for the Tigers.

• Defensive Determination: Clemson has been in this position before. The Tigers are two conference wins away from being crowned Atlantic Division champions and earning a spot in the ACC Championship Game. Clemson teams of the recent past have faltered when success has come their way, but this team looks different. Their defense has been the difference this season as they have made plays when it has mattered the most. They will need to come up big again Saturday as they face a potent Wolfpack offense. If the Tiger’s defense can create turnovers and force the Wolfpack into tough offensive situations, the division title could inch its way closer.

• Limit Mistakes: The one thing that could really get in the way of a Clemson victory tomorrow is the Tigers themselves. Clemson cannot afford to shoot themselves in the foot on the road in conference play. Turnovers and penalties can be costly and can slow down the momentum of a team and lead to a loss. Kyle Parker must protect the football and the Tigers have to play

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disciplined all game long. If they get too cocky and think they have the division wrapped up, an upset could be waiting for them.

What This Means On paper, the Tigers are the better football team. They have a high-powered offense with a defense that is fully capable of shutting teams down. Clemson looks like a poised team ready to take the next step under Dabo Swinney. That’s not to say that the Wolfpack are automatically going to lose tomorrow. It just means that the Pack will have to do a lot of things right to send the Tigers home with a loss. N.C. State must continue to play well offensively, limiting turnovers and sustaining drives. The offensive line has to make room for Toney Baker and Jamelle Eugene to churn up some yards on the ground, while giving Russell Wilson enough time to throw. The defense will have a lot of pressure on them as they must find a way to rattle Kyle Parker and keep the Tiger wide-outs in check. It’ll be a tough task, but stranger things have happened. My realistic opinion says the Pack will lose, so that’s what I’m going with in my prediction. However, my faithfulness to the team says Tom O’Brien can rally the troops and somehow the Pack will come out on top. Either way, Go Pack!

Hopeful Prediction: N.C. State - 35

Clemson - 31

Actual (Realistic) Prediction: Clemson - 42

N.C. State - 31

Picks of the Litter: Week 11 November 14, 2009 Today is a huge day for college football in the ACC. Some teams will try to earn a spot in the conference title game while others just try to keep their postseason hopes alive. Entering this week, I have correctly picked 51 of 77 ACC games for 66%. Heather Dinich has successfully predicted 54 of 77 for 70%. Those three games will be hard to come by, but I have faith. As a side note, I am 4-6 in my “Dog of the Week” picks.

Clemson @ N.C. State: The Wolfpack can win today, but it is going to be tough. The Tigers are just too fast and too talented for a State team with a lot to work on. If Clemson stays out of its own way, they should come out of Raleigh with a win.

Clemson - 42 N.C. State - 31 #7 Georgia Tech @ Duke: The Coastal Division is on the line and Duke finds itself in the hunt.

It is a weird concept, but Duke’s program is headed in the right direction. A powerful Georgia Tech team is the only thing that stands in their way. Uh oh. The Jackets are focused and will run the ball up and down the field with the Devils trying to catch their breath.

Georgia Tech - 38 Duke - 27 Florida State @ Wake Forest: E.J. Manuel will make his debut for the Seminoles as Christian Ponder has been banged up of late. Manuel can’t put all of the pressure on himself. He must simply manage the game and put the Seminoles in a position to win the game. The real key will be the defense. If FSU’s defense can hold Wake Forest and keep their offense in check, it could be a happy trip back to Tallahassee.

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Florida State - 27 Wake Forest - 24 #21 Virginia Tech @ Maryland: The Hokies travel to College Park trying not to fall flat on the road. Maryland is coming off a tough road loss to N.C. State and needs some wins late in the season for motivation for next year. The Hokies should be ready and take advantage of a Maryland team that lacks confidence.

Virginia Tech - 27 Maryland - 17 #14 Miami @ UNC: Carolina will try to protect their turf against a ‘Canes team hungry for more wins. Both teams are battling it out in the Coastal, so it should be a good game to watch.

Carolina’s defense is good, but its their offense I’m worried about. I don’t think they can keep up with Miami’s potent attack.

Miami -31 UNC - 21 Boston College @ Virginia: Boston College still has a lot to play for while UVA could be playing for Al Groh’s job. The Eagles need some help to get into the ACC title game, but they have to take care of business themselves. If they start worrying about other teams, they’ll forget about the one they’re playing.

Boston College - 28 Virginia - 24 Dog of the Week Texas Tech @ #19 Oklahoma State: Both teams will put up big numbers in this game, but something tells me the Red Raiders will come out on top. If you like scoring, watch this game!

Texas Tech - 42 Oklahoma State - 38 Happy watching ACC fans and Go Pack!

Clemson Dominating at Half November 14, 2009 The Tigers are showing why they’re the best team in the Atlantic and the Wolfpack are showing why they’ve still got a long way to go. Clemson has surged to a 24-7 lead at the half here in Raleigh and the Wolfpack look inferior on all fronts. The defense looked as if it would play well today as it started off holding the Tigers to just a field goal in their first two possessions. Then Clemson decided to wake up and State’s weaknesses were exploited. Jacoby Ford took a reverse in for a 17 yard score and after Jeff Ruiz shanked a punt out of bounds deep in Wolfpack territory, the Tigers struck again. This time it was C.J. Spiller’s arm that hurt the Pack as the senior back took a pitch and faked a run to the right side. As the Pack bit on the fake, Spiller tossed the ball to the right corner of the endzone where Xavier Dye was waiting for the 17 yard touchdown.

N.C. State was able to score on a nice drive by the offense, but Clemson’s offense is just too powerful right now. Not to mention how lost the Wolfpack’s secondary looks. State does get the ball after halftime, so a touchdown is desperately needed to keep the Wolfpack in the game.

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After that, the defense needs to continue to blitz Kyle Parker and play disciplined football in the secondary. I know all of that is easier said than done, but it must be done for any hope of a Wolfpack comeback.

Bowl Hopes Evaporate as Tigers Roll On November 14, 2009 The day began with such promise. Clemson got the ball first and six plays later were forced to punt. Wolfpack fans should have paused that moment in time to soak in what would virtually be the only stop in the game. 43 points and some 450 yards later, State fans are singing the same sad song. Poor defense and a lackluster performance from the offense left the Wolfpack in no position to compete with the division’s best. Clemson was and is too fast, too talented and too deep to be slowed down by a Wolfpack team with a lot of issues and enough injured players to create an entirely new team.

The Wolfpack coaching staff had said prior to the game that they would try to blitz more to make Kyle Parker uncomfortable in the pocket. The only problem with that strategy was that an already vulnerable secondary would have to play extremely disciplined football to keep the wide-outs of Clemson in check. The coaches realized this, but their strategy still wasn’t enough to even slow the Tigers down. Kyle Parker was efficient in the passing game, C.J. Spiller chewed up total yards like Chiclets and the Clemson offense continued its impressive stretch. The Tigers have scored 40 or more points in their last four games, including today. Their offense is on a roll and that is bad news for future Tiger opponents.

The Wolfpack offense displayed flickers of hope, but it was’t enough to keep the home team in the game. Clemson’s defense was one of the best State has seen this year, with hard-hitting safeties and quick defensive linemen. I’ll give the Pack credit for trying to keep the offense balanced; State had 39 pass attempts next to 41 rushes. The problem was that though the offense may have been balanced, there wasn’t enough firepower to stay with the Tigers. Russell Wilson had a forgettable day passing as the redshirt sophomore was 12-32 for 183 yards. His receivers dropped way too many balls for the Pack to find any rhythm offensively. It was baffling to see receivers continually getting hit between the numbers with the football, only to see it fall to the ground for an incompletion. As frustrating as it was for us fans, Wilson had to have been ten times more irritated.

Toney Baker had another respectable day on the ground though, rushing for 76 yards on 19 carries. The senior back, who is trying to get one more year of eligibility after two years of injury issues, has been very consistent of late. He is picking his way through holes and taking what the defense gives him. Again though, individual performances weren’t enough to even sniff a win today.

On a side note, two unsettling calls were made today that I feel inclined to rant about. The first came after State had scored a touchdown in the third quarter to cut the Tiger’s lead to 24-14.

Clemson running back C.J. Spiller ran around the left side, close to the 20 of N.C. State and was met by Clem Johnson and a few other Wolfpack defenders. After Spiller was hit and he began to fall, a State player ripped the ball out of the Heisman candidate’s hands. State fell on the ball, but a referee ruled Spiller was down. The play was reviewed and though it was crystal clear that Spiller was not down when the ball came out, Clemson was rewarded the football. The Tigers would later score and seize the momentum right back from State.

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The next instance of a questionable call was a long touchdown run by Clemson’s Jamie Harper.

Harper scurried 69 yards for a touchdown on the opening play of a Tiger drive in the fourth quarter. At that point, the Tigers were already up 36-17, so things looked pretty gloomy for the Pack. Harper found a hole on the left side of the line and thanks to poor discipline by the Wolfpack and an unintentional screen by a referee, ran up the left sideline for the score. The issue arose when he crossed the goal line. As Harper crossed the goal line, he dropped the ball.

The sophomore running back thought he had let go of the ball after he had crossed into the endzone, but officials weren’t sure. The original call was a touchdown, so indisputable evidence had to be seen to overturn the call on the field. The replay was not concrete, but from most angles, it looked like Harper let go of the ball just before he crossed the goal line. Officials reviewed it and ruled it a touchdown, most likely due to the fact that there wasn’t “indisputable” evidence against it. First of all, Harper is lucky. It is a foolish move not to hang onto the ball long enough to ensure you’re in the endzone. Second of all, it looked like the sophomore had dropped it prior to pay-dirt. Regardless, those are two calls that were questionable at best.

Maybe Harper did barely hang onto the ball long enough, but Spiller certainly lost the ball prior to going down in his instance. Don’t get me wrong, I back the officials more times than not.

They have a difficult job and I know a lot is riding on what they see. I appreciate the service they give to us sports fans in attempting to let the players decide games. But, if we have replay we should use it to get calls right. I understand some calls are too difficult to put a finger on, but others are clear as day. Replay is there for a reason.

Long story longer, Clemson is simply better than N.C. State. The Wolfpack have a ways to go to get where they want to be as a program and where fans think they should be now. Tom O’Brien has some work to do, but I have faith that sooner or later, the Wolfpack will rise to the top. Our bowl hopes may be dashed, but we can still play “spoiler.” And we’ve still got November 28th to look forward to!

Baker Granted One More Year November 20, 2009 N.C. State senior running back Toney Baker has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. Baker, who spent almost two full seasons recovering from a nagging knee injury, is the Wolfpack’s leading rusher this year with 664 yards and 6 touchdowns. He has also contributed in the receiving department, catching 24 passes for 306 yards and another 3 touchdowns. His return in 2010 is great news for the Wolfpack as his veteran leadership and experience will come in handy next year. The coaching staff is excited about the decision, but notes that this season is not over yet. After the Wolfpack’s last two games, Baker will sit down with his coaches and figure out his next move. It is unlikely that he will decide to jump to the NFL, as this is his first full season back since 2006, but anything is possible. Let’s hope he makes the right choice and returns to lead State’s rushing attack for one more year.

Today is a busy day in the blogging world ACC fans, so buckle up. I’ll have a preview of the Wolfpack’s visit to Blacksburg up later today along with results from last week’s “Picks of the Litter.” The season is winding down, but the blogging rolls on!

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Picks of the Litter Results: Week 11 November 20, 2009 Entering last week’s contests, I was three games behind ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich in our ACC prediction challenge. I needed a good showing in week 11 to stay in the hunt and hopefully make up some ground. Heather came away with a 4-2 record last week, incorrectly picking the Demon Deacons to win on Saturday as well as the Hurricanes. That gave me a little room to inch closer in our competition. Let’s see how I did… #24 Clemson @ N.C. State

Prediction: Clemson - 42 Reality: Clemson - 43

NCSU - 31

NCSU - 23

The Tiger’s defense came to play and the Wolfpack’s offense just couldn’t keep up. The Pack will be staying home this postseason while the Tigers could have earned a trip to Tampa. #7 Georgia Tech @ Duke

Prediction: GT - 38 Reality: GT - 49

Duke - 27

Duke - 10

The Yellow Jackets clinched a spot in the ACC title game with a convincing win over the Blue Devils. Duke was in it early, but Tech proved why they’re the best team in the conference.

Florida State @ Wake Forest

Prediction: FSU - 27 Reality: FSU - 41

Wake - 24

Wake - 28

E.J. Manuel led a potent Seminole offense and Wake’s defense just couldn’t get it done. The Seminoles just might reach a bowl yet. #21 Virginia Tech @ Maryland

Prediction: VT - 27 Reality: VT - 36

Maryland - 17

Maryland - 9

The Hokies came out focused and ready to go while Maryland had a tough time getting anything going. The Terrapins are struggling and the Hokies seem to have their act together. #14 Miami @ UNC

Prediction: Miami - 31 Reality: UNC - 33

UNC - 21

Miami - 24

Note to Miami: “Turnovers are bad. Avoid them at all costs.” Miami learned that lesson the hard way as the Heels took advantage of four Hurricane turnovers to pull the upset. Now let’s all jump on the Carolina bandwagon!

Boston College @ Virginia

Prediction: Boston College - 28 Reality: Boston College - 14

Virginia - 24

Virginia - 10

Well, this was a fun game to watch. The Eagles and Cavs struggled to get anything going offensively and BC barely hung on for the win. The Eagles also kept their Atlantic Division title

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hopes alive; at least for one more week.

Dog of the Week

Prediction: Texas Tech - 42

#19 Oklahoma State - 38

Reality: #19 Oklahoma State - 24

Texas Tech - 17

I thought this game would have a little bit more offense. Apparently both defenses decided it was a good week to show up.

Results I gained a game on Heather after posting a 5-1 mark in week 11! That brings my total record to 56 of 83 games picked correctly for 67.4% (I’m including the decimals now because we’re getting down to the wire). With her 4-2 mark on the week, Heather improved her total to 58 of 83 games correctly predicted for 69.8%. Two games down! I wonder if Heather’s getting nervous. I doubt it. In any case, I’m proud of my resurgence. Here’s hoping I can keep it up. On a more somber note, I lost another underdog pick, bringing my overall record in that department to 4-7. You can’t win ‘em all.

N.C. State @ Virginia Tech: Preview November 21, 2009 A week after having their slim bowl hopes dashed at the hands of the Clemson Tigers, the wounded Wolfpack travel to Blacksburg, Virginia to take on the Hokies of Virginia Tech. The Wolfpack entered last week’s game needing to win out to become bowl eligible, but a 4323 loss to the division-leading Tigers left the boys from Raleigh questioning what might have been. This season began with such promise for N.C. State. Some in the media had picked them to contend for the Atlantic Division crown, let alone go to a bowl game. Regardless of opportunities lost, the Wolfpack still has games to play. The last two games are difficult, but important nonetheless. It all starts with a trip up North to visit Frank Beamer and his motivated Virginia Tech team. The Hokies are coming off a 36-9 thumping of Maryland and they’ve got their eyes set on a successful end to the year.

Pressure Off Pack?

With the bowl picture out of view for this season, the Wolfpack will have the intriguing task of playing their final two games of the year without any hope of postseason play. This can hurt State, because if the Wolfpack begin to mope about the season that could’ve been, 2009 could end on a really sour note. If seniors get down and show a lack of motivation, it could transfer to the entire team and the last two weeks of the season will not only be an embarrassment, but a waste. On the other hand, the Wolfpack could play better football now that the pressure to get to the postseason is off. Every play still matters, but instead of playing for a bowl, State will be playing for pride. That relaxed attitude could help the Wolfpack play better and earn at least a split in the final two regular season games.

Keys to the Game: N.C. State • Rushing “D” - This is not to say that the passing defense won’t have to play well against the Hokies, but Tech’s running game is strong. Freshman tailback Ryan Williams has rushed for over 1,200 yards this year and has more games left to pad his stats. Williams has been blessed with a talented offensive line, but his vision and athleticism make him quite a weapon. If State can’t

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slow the run down, it’ll be a long day for the boys in red and white.

• Mistake-Free Football - N.C. State has been plagued with turnover trouble this year and that’s bad news on the eve of a conference road game. Virginia Tech’s home-field advantage is one of the toughest to overcome in the ACC and the Wolfpack will have to deal with it all day long. Turnovers and penalties are no good anywhere, but especially on the road. If State turns the ball over and racks up the penalties in Blacksburg, Tyrod Taylor may only have to play a half. The Wolfpack have to limit their penalties and play smart football on offense. Turnovers + Penalties = Loss • Balanced Attack - This key depends on how long State stays in the game. If the Hokies strike early and never let up, the offense could be restricted to mostly passing plays, keeping Toney Baker and Jamelle Eugene off the field. State’s running game has been pretty consistent of late and a good rushing attack does wonders for a team. It chews up yards on the ground and time on the clock, giving your defense time to rest as well. If the Wolfpack keeps things balanced offensively, they have a better shot at winning.

Keys to the Game: Virginia Tech • Keep It Low - The score that is. Virginia Tech takes a lot of pride in the Hokie defense and with good reason. Opponents don’t get many opportunities to score on Tech and if they do have opportunities the Hokies can usually handle it. N.C. State is solid offensively this season so if Tech can keep the score low, fans in Blacksburg should be happy. Tech’s offense has had a good stretch recently, unlike State’s defense, which means something’s gotta give on Saturday.

• Tyrod Taylor - The dual-threat QB has had moments of greatness this year, leading VT to win after win in 2009. Taylor must continue his recent success if the Hokies want to send home a very upset pack of wolves on Saturday. Taylor has been consistent this year, managing the game well while only throwing three interceptions. The junior has also rushed for almost 300 yards and 4 touchdowns. If he has another good game and can keep the offense balanced, Tech’s offense should be hard to stop.

• Defensive Secondary - Virginia Tech’s secondary will certainly get tested tomorrow. Russell Wilson has thrown for over 2,500 yards this year while accounting for 30 total touchdowns for the Wolfpack. The Hokie’s secondary could see a lot of deep balls, so the corner backs and safeties have to be ready. They’ve never seen Russell Wilson play live before and that usually doesn’t bode well for opponents of the Pack. Virginia Tech will need all of their defenders alert and disciplined tomorrow as State’s offense is always capable of putting up big numbers.

What This Means Due to my bias toward N.C. State, I have not yet come to a prediction. Part of me (probably the sane part) feels like Virginia Tech is the superior team and it will show Saturday when Taylor throws for over 300 yards and the Hokies win by 17. Though, the other part of me (the part that I like the best) says that State has a chance. N.C. State’s offense gives them the opportunity to be in any game and if the defense can find a way to stop someone, things could be looking up for the Wolfpack. Don’t worry though; I’ll have this prediction in my “Picks of the Litter” early Saturday.

Picks of the Litter: Week 12 November 21, 2009 Two games down with a few weeks to go! Heather Dinich currently holds a two game lead over

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me in our prediction challenge, but I’m closing fast. Entering week 12, Heather has successfully picked 58 of 83 conference games for a total of 69.8%. I am not far behind with 56 of 83 games picked correctly for 67.4%. Let’s see if I can continue my surge and catch Heather!

Maryland @ Florida State: This game carries a lot of weight, even though both teams have had their struggles this year. Maryland is playing for pride and some believe for their coach’s job.

At 2-8 on the year, the Terrapins need something good to happen for motivation for 2010. The Seminoles, on the other hand, are playing for bowl eligibility and need this win as they will face #1 Florida next week. It should be a pretty interesting game to watch, but Florida State should have no problem taking out the Terps.

Florida State - 38 Maryland - 24 North Carolina @ Boston College: This is one of those games that could go either way. I could give the edge to the Eagles, who are undefeated at home this year, but it’s not like they have played stellar teams in Chesnut Hill. UNC has experience picking up road wins in conference this season and today could display their knack once again. As tough as it is for me to do this, I’m picking Carolina. Let me make this clear though; if the Eagles win, I’d be fine with that too.

I’d rather Carolina lose than me gain a game. I guess it’s a win-win situation.

UNC - 27 BC - 21 Duke @ #20 Miami: The Devils must win out to gain bowl eligibility, but their last two ACC games will make that difficult. Miami needs a good showing after losing to Carolina last week.

The Hurricanes should win this one, as long as they don’t turn the ball over. If they shoot themselves in the foot, the Devils could have a chance.

Miami - 34 Duke - 21 Virginia @ #23 Clemson: This is a huge game for Clemson and Tiger fans alike. With a win over the Cavaliers, Clemson will clinch their first Atlantic Division title and earn a trip to Tampa for the ACC Championship Game. Clemson is a different team this year as Dabo Swinney has his Tigers focused and hungry for a championship. The Cavs will likely fire Al Groh at the end of the year, so the long-time Virginia coach could have a few more tricks up his sleeve. The Tigers are too powerful and too talented to lose at home to a subpar Virginia team.

Clemson - 35 Virginia - 17 N.C. State @ #15 Virginia Tech: Well, here it is. I’m been racking my brain about this one for awhile and I think I’ve finally figured it out. I was struggling with this one because I thought that N.C. State and Virginia Tech match up pretty well. N.C. State’s offense is good, but their weakness is on the defensive side of the ball. The Hokies strength is their defense, but their offense has come around this season as well. Their running game is their forte and they should stick with that today and use the passing game when necessary. State should keep this one close, but Tech could be too much for the Pack.

(Hopeful Prediction) N.C. State - 34

Virginia Tech - 31

(Realistic/Actual Prediction) Virginia Tech - 38

N.C. State - 27

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Dog of the Week #8 LSU @ Ole Miss: This is just a shot in the dark, but Ole Miss could pull this one out today.

They’re at home and have an offense capable of scoring with anybody. If their defense can hold up, an upset could be in the making.

Ole Miss - 28 LSU - 24 We’ve got another great week of college football in store. Here’s hoping the action is exciting and the competition is great! Enjoy, ACC fans and Go Pack!

Pack Down 24-10 at Half November 21, 2009 Things aren’t going so well for the Wolfpack in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech took advantage of two early fumbles by the Pack and some questionable officiating as well to take a 24-10 lead at halftime. As I am typing this, the Hokies have just scored to make it 31-10 thanks to some powerful running by Ryan Williams and some tough no-calls by the officials. Williams has been running well all game long, but he was helped on his most recent touchdown run by some holds on the offensive line. I’ll back referees more than most fans, but when you can see a player’s jersey being stretched and pulled, it usually means a hold. State hasn’t helped itself by playing poor defense and loosing the ball left and right, but the officials still have to call it both ways.

That also goes for short touchdown runs. If a player’s knee is down before the ball crosses the goal line, it is not a touchdown. This is just me venting, but I want a fair game to be called just like any other college football fan. Let’s hope the Pack can come back and keep this game interesting. Well, Jarvis Williams just fumbled. That will help…

SERIOUSLY!?!?

November 21, 2009 I know, I know. Part of this is just venting on my part because we’re getting pummeled on national television, but the other part is confused as to why we can’t get a call our way today.

The no-calls by the refs have not cost us the game, but they sure haven’t helped. Tyrod Taylor just threw a touchdown pass to make the score 38-10 Hokies and once again flags stayed in the pockets of the referees. On multiple occasions today, Wolfpack defenders have attempted to chase down Taylor, only to have their jerseys practically pulled off by Hokie offensive linemen.

I realize that Virginia Tech has one of the better offensive lines in the country, but come on!

When a player is getting pulled back to prevent further movement, it is typically referred to as a “hold.” Players like Willie Young have repeatedly attempted to chase down Taylor and running back Ryan Williams, but Hokie linemen have held on tight to keep their quarterback and running backs from harm. Once again, I support referees more than most people, but a hold is a hold.

Call it both ways! Russell Wilson just threw an interception as the fourth quarter has just begun.

It looks like the Pack will head back to Raleigh with another loss.

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Pack Flattened on the Road November 23, 2009 The trip to Blacksburg was an ugly one for the Wolfpack as Virginia Tech drubbed the visitors 38-10 on Saturday. The game was, in some ways a mirror image of this season for N.C. State, whose high hopes were quickly dashed with the sting of reality. The sixteenth-ranked Hokies showed why they are consistently at the top of the ACC, as they played disciplined, aggressive football for 60 minutes. If the first play of the game was any indication of how the day would go, fans such as me should have gotten comfortable. On the Wolfpack’s first play from scrimmage, Russell Wilson dropped back to pass and was immediately hit by Tech’s Cody Grimm. The linebacker hit Wilson from behind, knocked the ball loose and the Hokies instantly recovered.

N.C. State’s defense would hold the Hokies to a field goal, but they would not be so fortunate a few minutes later. On the second play of the Wolfpack’s next possesion, Wilson hit Darrell Davis for a short gain, but as Davis was battling for more yards, he lost the ball as well. Grimm hit Davis, stripped the ball and the Hokies recovered again. This time, Virginia Tech would not settle for three points. The Hokies drove the short 25 yards and punched it in for a 10-0 lead.

That opening stretch would set the tone for the rest of the game as the Wolfpack only got as close as 17-10.

The problem Saturday was a mixture of things. State’s defense just wasn’t up to the challenge, giving up big plays on crucial downs. State’s offense also couldn’t muster a thing and looked like it abandoned the running game all together. Though Virginia Tech’s defensive front is very good, a balanced attack is still necessary to compete. Toney Baker ended the day with 10 carries for 47 yards, running well as he has for the past three games. The senior, who was just granted a sixth year of eligibility, seems to be the smartest of the Pack’s backs. Baker consistently runs “north-south” instead of “east-west,” picking up yards when he can and carrying tacklers with him. His counterpart, Jamelle Eugene tends to stretch runs out and not take what the defense gives him. Eugene is a talented back, but it is difficult to outrun defenders from Virginia Tech as well as other conference foes. Baker has been the more consistent option at running back and I feel like if we would have utilized him more, it would have benefited our offense.

Our offensive struggles could have something to do with the absence of offensive coordinator Dana Bible. Bible did not make the trip with the team due to health concerns, so Assistant Coach Jason Swepson called the plays Saturday. Bible’s absence could have disrupted the flow of N.C. State’s offense, though that wasn’t their only problem. Four turnovers never help your cause, especially playing a team like Virginia Tech. The bottom-line is, the Hokies are just plain better than the Wolfpack. Their quarterback played better, their offensive line held up and their defensive unit played aggressive football all game long. This wasn’t a game many expected the Wolfpack to win, but some thought it would be a little bit closer than the 28 point spread on Saturday. I was one of those optimistic few.

The loss drops the Wolfpack to 4-7 overall and 1-6 in the conference. Only two of those four wins came against FCS (Division IA) opponents. This season has certainly been one to forget, but all hope is still not lost. The season has now come down to one game; this coming Saturday against North Carolina. The Tar Heels are riding a four-game winning streak and have entered the top 25 after their most recent victory in Chestnut Hill. Carolina beat Boston College 31-13 after forcing six Eagle turnovers to earn their eighth win of the season. State defeated their rival last year 41-10, but this year’s game figures to be a lot closer. The Tar Heels are polar opposites

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of the Wolfpack, as their strength is their defense and their weakness is on offense. The Wolfpack are capable, but will need to take care of the football and play well in all aspects of the game to earn a W next weekend. This week will be fun as we prepare for the huge rivalry that is State vs. Carolina. Keep checking in as the blogs will really be rolling this week as UNC Blogger Chad Floyd and I will be preparing for the game of the year. As always, Go Pack!

Favorite Carolina Joke November 23, 2009 Let the taunting begin! It’s the week of the Carolina game and we need to get the chatter up on the message boards. I want bantering back and forth all week so I’ll get us started. Comment on this post with your favorite joke against UNC. Feel free to post more than once as I’ll probably have some more to add to the list as the week goes on. Plus, you can never have too many Carolina jokes. (Caution: This is a public message board so do your best to keep them as clean as possible) What is the difference between a UNC fan and a three-week-old puppy?

Eventually the puppy will stop whining.

Bible Has Cancer November 24, 2009 By now, most of you have heard about N.C. State’s offensive coordinator Dana Bible’s situation.

Bible has been diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia. He missed the trip to Virginia Tech this past weekend by doctor’s recommendation and the announcement of his diagnoses was made Monday. Bible will remain in the hospital for 30 days as he undergoes treatment. Head Coach Tom O’Brien has temporarily hired graduate assistant Jay Civetti to help the offense prepare this week. Certainly all of our thoughts and prayers go out to Coach Bible and his family. There are some things in life that are more important than football and times like these remind us of that.

Happy Thanksgiving November 26, 2009 Good morning ACC fans. It’s Thanksgiving today and this is just one of a few posts that will be coming your way. I thought I’d take this opportunity to wish everyone out there a Happy Thanksgiving. I’ll be eating dinner (actually lunch, but I’m from the South) with my family in a little bit and taking in all of the other Thanksgiving Day festivities. After the meal and a long rest courtesy of tryptophan, I’ll be playing some football, watching some football and reminiscing with the family. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year. It’s a time to relax, reflect and just be thankful for all that we have. It’s a time to be with family and take a break from the “hustle and bustle” of everyday life. I encourage all of you to really look over your life and think of things you have to be thankful for. It can be simple things like shoes on your feet, a roof over your head, or food on the table. My Granddaddy used to always say, ‘You don’t have to look far to find someone worse off than you.’ As blunt as that is, he had a point. Regardless of our situations, we can always take a positive approach and be thankful. It might not seem like it at the time, but there are probably people who would kill to be in your shoes. To have

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opportunities that you might have, or to have the resources that are at your disposal. It is easy to overlook the simple things, but that’s why I love Thanksgiving. It forces you to stop and look at your life and what you have to be thankful for. All sport affiliations aside, we all have a lot to be thankful for. We live in a free world where virtually anything is possible. We have numerous opportunities to be what we want to be. We now have access to resources that our ancestors only dreamt about. I know this sounds like a sermon, but really I’m just counting my blessings. I am thankful that I’ve had this opportunity to write about N.C. State football and the rest of the ACC this season. I’m thankful for the opportunities I have had and the ones yet to come. I am thankful for my readers, my family and the beautiful life I have been given. Truly, you shouldn’t have to look long to find blessings in your life. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Picks of the Litter Results: Week 12 November 27, 2009 Sorry for the late post guys and gals. Thanksgiving preparation and demolition got the best of me. We’ve got one week left in the regular season and coming into last week I was two games behind ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich. Heather had correctly picked 58 of 83 games for 69.8% while I had recorded a mark of 67.4%, picking 56 of 83 games right. We’re down to the wire in our prediction challenge, so let’s see the results.

Maryland @ Florida State

Prediction: FSU - 38 Reality: FSU - 29

Maryland - 24

Maryland - 26

The Seminoles had to grind out a win against the ACC’s worst team. Oh well. At least they got the win.

North Carolina @ Boston College

Prediction: UNC - 27 Reality: UNC - 31

BC - 21

BC - 13

Note to future Tar Heel opponents: Don’t turn the ball over. Carolina has been on a roll of late thanks to a defense eager to cause turnovers.

Duke @ #20 Miami

Prediction: Miami - 34 Reality: Miami - 34

Duke - 21

Duke - 16

Duke made it a game until the fourth quarter. That’s when Miami woke up.

Virginia @ #23 Clemson

Prediction: Clemson - 35 Reality: Clemson - 34

UVA - 17

UVA - 21

The Tigers kept their momentum going and won the Atlantic Division Crown. Could this be Al Groh’s last few games? Most likely…

N.C. State @ #15 Virginia Tech

Prediction: VT - 38 Reality: VT - 38

NCSU - 27

NCSU - 10

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Not much to say about this one. I thought the Wolfpack’s defense might play better. Then again; I thought the offense would play better too. Four turnovers is hard to overcome.

Dog of the Week

Prediction: Ole Miss - 28 Reality: Ole Miss - 25

#8 LSU - 24

#8 LSU - 23

Wow. I’m getting pretty good at this. Ole Miss was tabbed by many to be a “darkhorse” in the SEC. This is why.

Results I went 5-0 in week 12, bringing my total to 61 of 88 for 69.3% picked correctly. Heather went 4-1 with her one loss coming in the Carolina game. Her record is now 62 of 88 for 70.4%! I am now within one game! There’s one more week left in the regular season and that makes my last picks crucial to the prediction challenge. I also got another underdog pick right, bringing my record in that department to 5-7! Maybe for week 13 I’ll have two underdog picks to hopefully even my record. Check back soon for my week 13 picks and a preview of State’s game against Carolina.

North Carolina @ N.C. State: Preview November 28, 2009 Week 13 brings us N.C. State’s most anticipated matchup of the season for many reasons. For some people, the end of Saturday’s game against UNC will be the end of a long, difficult season full of disappointment and letdowns. For others (depending on the outcome), it could mean one more year of gloating despite an underachieving season. Regardless, I know I am absolutely stoked for the regular season finale. It’s a rivalry game at high noon on a perfect, fall day. You can throw all records and stats out the window, because when State and Carolina get together, anything is possible.

How I Really Feel I thought I’d take this moment to relay how I really feel about Carolina fans. It seems appropriate because this is the last game of the year and it presents a good opportunity for me to rant. I genuinely don’t like Carolina. I don’t like the school, I don’t like the fans and I don’t like their sports teams. I feel like Carolina fans have a false sense of entitlement and when something doesn’t go their way, they whine (see puppy joke from earlier post). Carolina fans are also bad joke tellers. When they feel like they’ve got a funny joke about your school, like always telling State fans to ‘ride home on their tractors,’ they run it into the ground. There is simply no originality. It is depressing and downright annoying. State fans, on the other hand are loyal.

Sure, there are some fans that leave the stadium or coliseum early, but every school has fans who do that. Where else can you find a fanbase thats expectations are through the roof for every sports team every year? Some may call that blind ambition, but I’d rather have that ambition than lower my expectations. I like expecting the very best year in and year out. Some may say that’s not being realistic, but I say that’s just being hopeful. It is that hope and anticipation that gives me so much pride in being a State fan. Where else can you find a fanbase that ‘never gives up,’ even when others throw in the towel? There is no other university like N.C. State University. There is no other fanbase like Wolfpack Nation. Wolfpack fans display loyalty, ambition and passion like no other school. It is that drive and positive attitude that will keep me a State fan long after my time on Earth is done.

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Keys to the Game: N.C. State • NO MISTAKES!!!! - I don’t think I can emphasize this enough. If State’s offense turns the ball over, State will lose. If penalties begin to mount and halt the Wolfpack’s momentum, State will lose. The Wolfpack will need to play smart, disciplined football on Saturday and stay out of its own way to have a chance at victory. Carolina’s defense has been collecting turnovers like coins in a Mario game, so the Pack will have to be careful with the football.

• Defense - This is a very broad key, but an important one nonetheless. Carolina’s offense has been inept at times, but so has State’s defense. If the Wolfpack can get stops, more opportunities could arise for the Pack to pull the upset. The secondary will need to play well and the front seven will have to put pressure on T.J. Yates.

• Offensive Communication - Former Graduate Assistant Jay Civetti was brought in to help the Wolfpack due to Offensive Coordinator Dana Bible’s recent cancer diagnoses. Civetti has helped the Pack all this week in preparing for the Heels’ tough defense. Russell Wilson will need to lead the Pack’s “O” without Bible at the helm. It will take some work, but it can and must be done for State to come out on top.

Keys to the Game: UNC • Defense - In case you haven’t noticed, Carolina’s defense is very good at causing turnovers.

The Heels are in the top 10 nationally with 28 turnovers forced this year. If the defense can continue that trend, the Wolfpack will be in for a long day.

• T.J. Yates - Ok, I’ll say it; T.J. Yates is not a good quarterback. I’ve watched him play the past few years and honestly I’m not impressed. He doesn’t throw the football down the field very much and this year he has three more interceptions than touchdowns. He’ll have an opportunity to prove me wrong on Saturday, playing against a struggling defense, but one game still wouldn’t change my mind. Yates will have to play well against the Wolfpack and give his team a chance to win. That means no turnovers and a lot of completed passes.

• Control the Revenge Factor - Last year, State thumped Carolina 41-10 in a game that State fans haven’t let Tar Heel fans forget since. The Heels remember that game all too well, so emotions will be running even higher than normal. Carolina must find a way to channel that energy and use it in a positive way. If you get too over-excited, it could lead to some poor play.

What This Means Tomorrow should be an exciting, yet interesting game between two long-time rivals. Carolina has the edge defensively while State has the superior offense. I’ve heard a lot of people say this season that if you put State’s offense with Carolina’s defense, you’d probably have an ACC champion. Since that’s not possible, both teams will have to duke it out for one more year of supremacy. (Sorry about the “D” word in the last sentence. It just kind of happened). The atmosphere will be great tomorrow, along with the weather. I’ll be screaming my head off as usual, so hopefully I’ll see you there. Look for me; I’ll be the one in red!

Picks of the Litter: Week 13 November 28, 2009 Entering week 13, I have successfully picked 61 of 88 ACC games for 69.3%. ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich has a one game lead on me with 62 of 88 picked correctly for 70.4%. There is one more week left in our prediction challenge so this week’s games are critical. I haven’t decided if the ACC

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Championship Game will count in our picks, but I’ll make that decision after this weekend.

Wake Forest @ Duke: Duke’s progress this year has been astounding, but something tells me Wake could get the W today. It should be a great game to watch as Riley Skinner and Thaddeus Lewis will conclude their terrific careers and play one more game. Something tells me Wake’s defense will be the story though, as they’ll play just well enough for the win.

Wake - 31 Duke - 24 #24 UNC @ N.C. State: I can’t wait for this one to start. It could go either way, but something tells me State will be up to the challenge. Russell Wilson will be very careful with the football and State’s defense will play just well enough to win.

NCSU - 34 UNC - 31 #18 Clemson @ South Carolina: This rivalry game always carries a lot of weight. Clemson has clinched a spot in the ACC title game, but doesn’t want to lose any momentum the week before.

Both teams have capable defenses, but Clemson’s offense is a step above South Carolina’s.

Clemson - 27 South Carolina - 17 Florida State @ #1 Florida: No upset special here. The Seminoles will just try to keep it close in “The Swamp.” The Gators are looking for another National Championship and a mediocre FSU team won’t stand much of a chance.

Florida - 34 FSU - 21 #17 Miami @ South Florida: These two south Florida teams have a lot to play for besides bragging rights. Both have opportunities to move up in the standings and rankings and ride the momentum into a bowl game. Miami has been inconsistent of late, but they should have their act together against the Bulls. If not, heads will be scratching in Coral Gables.

Miami - 27 USF - 20 Boston College @ Maryland: I’m not too excited about this one, except for the fact that it could be the last game for the “Fridge” at Maryland. The Terps would love to go out winners, but BC has a lot to play for too. The Eagles are making their case for a good bowl selection and another win would help their cause.

BC - 31 Maryland - 27 #14 Virginia Tech @ Virginia: This will more than likely be Al Groh’s final game at Virginia, so many are looking for some magic to happen one last time. I’m not of them. Virginia has potential, but Virginia Tech is just too good right now. Their offense is clicking and their defense is staying consistent. Good luck Cavs.

VT - 28 UVA - 17

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Georgia @ #7 Georgia Tech: The Jackets have had a story-book season in ‘09 and a win against their arch rival would cap their year to remember. With a win, Tech would finish 11-1 with the ACC Championship Game in Tampa left before the bowling season. Georgia has had a rough year, but would like nothing more than to deflate the Jackets and steal some momentum along the way. Don’t think it’s gonna’ happen though.

GT - 35 UGA - 27 Dogs of the Week Kansas - 38

Missouri - 34

Notre Dame - 30

Stanford - 27

Why? Why not?

Happy Watching ACC Fans and GO PACK!!!!

State Sends Seniors Out With a Bang December 3, 2009 Closing out a difficult season filled with injuries and disappointment can be arduous. The task is made easier though with a win over your arch rival. There I stood, singing along to the alma-mater and staring up at the 28-27 scoreboard wrapping my head around what I had just seen. I had just witnessed a 4-7 State team, with little confidence and little more to play for than pride, take down an 8-3 Carolina team brimming with confidence after four straight wins. I saw a defense that had given up 30 points or more points in eight straight games, hold an offense to just 27 after 24 first half points. I saw jubilation on the faces of the victors as if they were playing for a national championship. I saw fans young and old come together one last time despite the struggles of the past. Most importantly, I saw hope. I witnessed a gritty win by the Wolfpack, when not many believed a victory was possible. After being down 24-14 at the half, State hung in and chipped away at the Tar Heel lead. Making the most out of their opportunities, the Wolfpack surged back in the game and held on late to preserve the shining moment of the season.

I know this post is very late, but between the aftermath of the excitement, other sporting events and the last week of classes, well you get the idea. Though it is five days after the Pack’s 2827 victory over the Tar Heels, the memory is still fresh in our minds as Wolfpack fans and will remain there for at least another year. Between Russell Wilson’s amazing day and Alan MichaelCash’s block of the go-ahead field goal, it is hard to pick a favorite moment. State forced two turnovers in crucial situations and played disciplined football with only five penalties on the day.

The crowd was into it, the players were into it (even those who weren’t playing) and somehow the stars aligned to seal a win for the Pack. I guess my favorite moment would have to be the realization of defeat felt by the Carolina fans. As State was draining time off the clock after Michael-Cash’s huge block, UNC fans began to realize the inevitable. They were about to have their ninth win of the season stripped away from them by the hands of their hated enemy. As the Tar Heel fans left in confusion and disappointment, I couldn’t help but get a feeling of utter satisfaction. For one more year, State is better than Carolina!

I’ll have more on the impact of this game and my picks of the litter results later. Thanks for your patience ACC fans and Go Pack!!!!

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Final Picks of the Litter Results December 12, 2009 I know it’s late, but better late than never I guess. To recap, going into the final week of the regular season ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich had correctly predicted 62 0f 88 conference games for 70.4%.

I was one game behind with 61 of 88 successfully picked for 69.3%. I’ll get right to it and tell you I had a pretty good week to close out the season. Heather and I differed on quite a few games which made the final week of the regular season a decisive one in our prediction challenge.

Wake Forest @ Duke

Prediction: Wake - 31 Reality: Wake - 45

Duke - 24

Duke - 34

Riley Skinner and Thaddeus Lewis closed out their college careers with a bang. Both QBs had an incredible four years. #24 UNC @ N.C. State

Prediction: NCSU - 34 Reality: NCSU - 28

UNC - 31

UNC - 27

What else can I say? I called it. Thank the Lord we Wolfpack fans get one more year to gloat.

Carolina can have fun in Charlotte, playing in the “We lost to State Bowl!” #18 Clemson @ South Carolina

Prediction: Clemson - 27 Reality: USC - 34

USC - 17

Clemson - 17

Ouch. I guess the Tigers were thinking ahead to their upcoming trip to Tampa. That didn’t go too well either though.

Florida State @ #1 Florida

Prediction: Florida - 34 Reality: Florida - 37

FSU - 21

FSU - 10

I don’t even think this game could have saved Bobby Bowden’s job for one more year. It’s a pity.

He deserved better. One of the greatest college coaches ever! #17 Miami @ South Florida

Prediction: Miami - 27 Reality: Miami - 31

South Florida - 20

South Florida - 10

The “U” capped off a fine season with a win against an inter-state rival. Randy Shannon did a nice job this year with the Hurricanes.

Boston College @ Maryland

Prediction: BC - 31 Reality: BC - 19

Maryland - 27

Maryland - 17

Coach Spaz and the Eagles just held off the Terrapins in a tough, sometimes ugly game.

Maryland ended the year with only two wins, but AD Debbie Yow made the right choice in keeping Ralph Friedgen.

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#14 Virginia Tech @ Virginia

Prediction: VT - 28 Reality: VT - 42

UVA - 17

UVA - 13

After a sluggish start, the Hokies stepped on the gas and put the nail in Al Groh’s coffin.

Georgia @ #7 Georgia Tech

Prediction: GT - 35 Reality: UGA - 30

UGA - 27 GT - 24

Though Tech has had a memorable season, this loss stings. A one-loss year is a lot more impressive than a two-loss year; especially when one of those losses came at the hands of an arch rival.

Dogs of the Week Kansas - 38

Missouri - 34

Notre Dame - 30

Stanford - 27

Results: Missouri - 41

Kansas - 39

Stanford - 45

ND - 38

Oops. Those last minute underdog picks didn’t pan out. Oh well. My record for underdog picks on the year was 5-9. I guess I’d better not go to Vegas anytime soon.

Final Results I went 6-2 in week 13, bringing my final tally to 67 of 96 ACC games picked correctly. 69.7% for the year is not bad at all, if I do say so myself. Heather, on the other hand was 2-6 on the final weekend, making her total 64 of 96 for 66.6%. Wow. Somehow the stars aligned and I came out on top in our prediction challenge for the year. I would take this opportunity to revel in a proud moment, but honestly this was just plain fun. It was difficult to pick every game every week but let me be the first to tell you, luck has a lot to do with it. Heather picks just fell through on the last week of the season and mine were fortunate enough to hold together. I want to take this opportunity to thank Heather for accepting my challenge. It was a lot of fun and well worth the countless hours of research and channel-flipping.

2010: An Optimistic View December 13, 2009 Though Coach O’Brien called 2009 “the hardest year he’s been through in coaching,” the Wolfpack ended the season on a high note. The 28-27 victory over North Carolina added a little sweetness to a season that was otherwise bitter. Another year of a ridiculous number of injuries drove Wolfpack Nation crazy as again we were left to think of what might have been. What if Nate Irving didn’t crash his car this summer, effectively ending his season and opening a huge hole in the Wolfpack defense? What if State was able to get into the endzone against South Carolina to open the season? Surely a 4-0 start would have changed the rest of 2009. What if State’s defense could have gelled more and won a close contest in Winston-Salem? Would that have changed the outcome a week later against Duke? Or was the morale too damaged to repair, causing the Pack’s four-game losing streak mid-way through the season?

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We could go on and on with “What if” questions, scratching our heads and living in a dream world of endless possibilities. Or we could choose to focus on the positives. Yes, Nate Irving crashed his car this summer, ending his season and weakening a Pack defense in need of leaders. But Irving is still alive. Coach O’Brien is always the first to point out that seeing the wreckage of that night makes one wonder how Irving wasn’t lost on that tragic night in June.

And who knows if scoring a touchdown and beating the Gamecocks to open the season would have made 2009 any different. Maybe State would have gotten too cocky and lost three weeks later to Pittsburgh. And no, the defense wasn’t anywhere close to “up to par” this season, but who said they were going to be? Maybe we as fans had too high of expectations for a defense that was last in many statistical categories at the end of 2008. My point is that there are always two sides to the “What if” game. And if you keep your head in the clouds too long thinking of what might have been, you’ll miss what’s happening right now.

What is happening now is a transformation. Tom O’Brien and the rest of his coaching staff are creating a program. They’re building winners in the classroom, the community and on the football field. If you’re concerned that O’Brien is spending too much time worrying about things other than football, look at his track record. Look at what he created at Boston College.

He built a program that shows consistency year in and year out and one that can stand on its own two feet years after his departure. I for one am thoroughly excited for the coming years of Wolfpack football! Our program will be fine. Once the injuries settle down and O’Brien continues recruiting players of his liking, Wolfpack football will be relevant on the national stage and will stay relevant for a long time.

2010 looks to be another intriguing year for N.C. State on the gridiron. Our offense will still likely be our strong suit, especially if Russell Wilson and Toney Baker return. Wilson is mulling over his possible baseball career, while Baker has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. He isn’t projected to go high by NFL analysts, and his help at running back is greatly needed for next season. Tight End George Bryan will be back for his junior season after an AllACC sophomore season this year. He will have the benefit of playing with a talented group of wide-outs as the Pack will have a lot of options in the passing game. Returning for the Wolfpack will be the likes of Owen Spencer, Donald Bowens, Jarvis Williams and Darrell Davis, to name a few. Those experienced and talented receivers should make State’s offense one of the best in the conference once again.

Though the defense took a lot of the blame for State’s disappointing season in 2009, one can look at next year optimistically. The main problem with our defense this year was the youth of players at key positions. Though the players are talented, experience can’t be taught. State is very young in the secondary and at linebacker, but the talent is definitely there. With more experience, this unit could be the Pack’s strength in the years to come.

The last area I’ll cover before hitting State’s biggest obstacle of 2010 is the special teams. The Wolfpack should be in good shape with kicker Josh Czajkowski returning and T.J. Graham back to return kicks. Punter Jeff Ruiz had a tough year, but with more experience he should improve a lot over the off-season.

Now we’ll get to State’s main problem for next year; the lines. The offensive and defensive lines for N.C. State were both senior-heavy in 2009. Alan Michael-Cash, Leroy Burgess, Willie Young and Shea McKeen were a force on the “D-Line” and were the bright spot on the N.C. State defense. On the other side of the ball, Jeraill McCuller, Julian Williams, Andy Barbee and Ted Larsen anchored an offensive line that helped balance out the Wolfpack offense. Though others

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were implemented during the season as reserves, all of these players are seniors and will leave a big void in depth at both line positions. Coach O’Brien knows that he will need to heavily recruit linemen to make sure depth is not an issue for the Wolfpack in the future.

All in all, 2010 is looking up. Not because of any one player or any one position, but because of our belief in our team. That’s why I’m proud to be a State fan; because we stand by our team and by our program. We know that though times are tough, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, “and it’s not a train coming” (to use a Jimmy V quote). We believe in our coach and stay faithful to the history and the tradition of Wolfpack athletics. 2010 could be a great year, but let’s not forget all the memories of 2009. The great win against Pittsburgh, the homecoming defeat of Maryland. And last but certainly not least, the deflating looks on Tar Heel fans’ faces as they left Carter-Finley Stadium. They knew they were going bowling, but they still haven’t figured out how to beat Tom O’Brien! In a way, 28-27 is almost sweeter than 41-10. I think the sweetest though, is 3-0; Tom O’Brien’s record, while at State, against Butch Davis and the Tar Heels. Have a Merry Christmas ACC fans and enjoy the bowl season. Maybe sooner or later we’ll get a playoff implemented and increase the level of excitement in December! See you in 2010 and as always, GO PACK!!!

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