ACC Blogger Football Preview Countdown – Atlantic #5: NC State
Posted by Brandon Rink on July 13, 2010 under ACC Football | 
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Is now the time for NC State to step up in the Atlantic?
Not sure if you have heard of this Wilson guy, but I hear he's a big deal.
Projected Record: 6-6 (2-6 ACC)
Returning Starters: 13 (7 on offense and 5 on defense; 1 on special teams)
Schedule Difficulty in ACC: Ninth.
Offense Rides On… A running game that takes the pressure off from Wilson (and/or Glennon). The unquestioned strength of NC State will be the passing game, but they won’t go far if it is all on Wilson’s arm.
Defensive Deficiency: Secondary. They were lit up all last season, and if teams can pass at will once again, the ‘Pack are facing another season without a bowl.
Keyword: Defense – playing it. In 2009, they were 11th in points allowed per game in the ACC (31.2); 96th in pass defense, 83rd in total defense, and 72nd in sacks overall.
Position by Position Grades
QB: B+
MVP: Russell Wilson
Gotta Step-Up: Russell Wilson
RB: C+
MVP: Curtis Underwood
Gotta Step-Up: James Washington
WR/TE: B+
MVP: TE George Bryan
Gotta Step-Up: WR Owen Spencer
OL: C
MVP: LT Jake Vermiglio
Gotta Step-Up: RT R.J. Mattes
DL: C-
MVP: DE Michael Lemon
Gotta Step-Up: DT Markus Kuhn
LB: B
MVP: Audie Cole
Gotta Step-Up: Nate Irving
Sec: C
MVP: CB C.J. Wilson
Gotta Step-Up: FS Brandan Bishop
K/P: B-
MVP: K Josh Czajkowski
Gotta Step-Up: P Jeff Ruiz
Schedule Analysis + W/Ls
| DATE | OPPONENT | W/L |
| 9/04 | Western Carolina | W 42-13 |
| 9/11 | @ UCF | W 27-17 |
| 9/16 | Cincinnati | W 24-20 |
| 9/25 | @ Georgia Tech | L 31-20 |
| 10/02 | Virginia Tech | L 34-24 |
| 10/09 | Boston College | L 24-17 |
| 10/16 | @ East Carolina | W 28-24 |
| 10/28 | Florida State | L 35-27 |
| 11/06 | @ Clemson | L 21-13 |
| 11/13 | Wake Forest | W 42-17 |
| 11/20 | @ North Carolina | L 31-24 |
| 11/27 | @ Maryland | W 20-17 |
Bye Week: Before Florida State, October 28.
Toughest Game: at Georgia Tech, September 25.
Key Conference Game: Boston College, October 9.
Season Hinges on… at North Carolina, November 20..
The Why…
Why Fifth?: The in-conference schedule is about as tough as it gets for an NC State team that has so many holes to fill and positions to improve at. I want to be sold on NC State becoming a scoring machine in big games under Wilson’s leadership, but I’m just not seeing it. The defense is the main issue though as after playing Gardner Webb last season – the Pack did not give up under 27 points in their final 9 games. They brought in Tenuta so they will improve, but Rome wasn’t built in a day – and neither are defenses turned around that quick.
Could be higher if… NC State can keep opponents in the low 20s for points. NC State will score (how much depending on the development of a running game), but having a defense that can make the big stop will be the difference between another middling season and conference contention.
Could be lower if… 2009 happens all over again with a dreadful D and everything being on the offense.
Loading ...Is NC State a dark horse in the Atlantic? Will O’Brien be on the hot seat with another mediocre season? Share your thoughts in the comments…
Previews So far…
Coastal #2: Georgia Tech
Atlantic #2: Boston College
Coastal #5: Duke
Atlantic #4: Maryland
Coastal #3: Miami
Atlantic #3: Clemson
Coastal #4: UNC
Intro to the Countdown
