2009 Previews: N.C. State

We go to N.C. State for Preview No. 10. Previews of all 65 BCS conference schools, plus Notre Dame and state schools, in no particular order, will run daily through Aug. 22.

I’m gonna give you just a little insight into how I do these things.

I take what I already know, add a (big) dash of info from Phil Steele and Athlon, maybe peruse a few internet sites and then I’m ready to go. These things can take me as few as 10 minutes and as many as 45, generally.

Well, I did all those things with the Wolfpack, read through everything more than once and I still don’t feel like I know anything about them.

Therein lies the beauty of the ACC, where virtually anyone is capable of 12-0 or 0-12.

One thing the Wolfpack do have is quarterback Russell Wilson, who was the first-team All-ACC quarterback, and let me tell you, when a guy who led the 88th ranked offense in the country (even if he was hurt quite a bit) is your first-team quarterback, that tells you just about everything you need to know about that conference’s abilities under center.

But anyway, Wilson and N.C. State might actually be pretty explosive on offense. For one thing, they don’t turn it over (Wilson has gone 249 attempts without a pick). For another, they’re experienced virtually everywhere, both due to starters returning (7) and the fact that the entire team was injured in some way last year and virtually everyone got to play big minutes.

Defensively, the Wolfpack was not very good last year, ranking 83rd in total defense. But injuries contributed to that, and with a front seven returning virtually intact, N.C. State should be pretty solid on that end of the field. And it’s not like it’s hard to shut down ACC opponents.

Athlon is very high on NCSU. Phil Steele is a bit more bearish. As usual, I’m siding with Phil.

Here’s the schedule:

Sept. 3: South Carolina
They’ve opened the season on Thursday night twice in the last decade, and both games have been avert your eyes awful. This one will probably be pretty similar.

Sept. 12: Murray State
Blah

Sept. 19: Gardner-Webb
Playing two FCS schools is just so pitiful, and that goes for everyone. Even one is bad.

Sept. 26: Pittsburgh
Measuring stick game. The Wolfpack have a good shot at getting the win in a game that’s bound to wind up on TV somewhere.

Oct. 3: at Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons seem to be crashing back to reality. But I’ll believe it when I see it.

Oct. 10: Duke
The Fightin’ Cutcliffes probably can’t get this one on the road.

Oct. 17: at Boston College
Tom O’Brien gets to go home to his imploding former employer.

Oct. 31: at Florida State
Big-time interesting game. NCSU is nowhere near as talented as the Seminoles, but they are better coached.

Nov. 7: Maryland
The Terps just can’t seem to climb out of mediocrity since Ralph Friedgen’s big first three years in College Park.

Nov. 14: Clemson
Clemson could either win the division or be really awful. This game will probably give you a good idea of which.

Nov. 21: at Virginia Tech
Only team in the ACC that is demonstrably good.

Nov. 28: North Carolina
In-state battle for bowl position.

Like you’ll see me say with most ACC teams, there is just really no telling how good or bad this team might be. That conference is just so weird. I’m gonna say 7-5 or 8-4, though.