Skinny - Last season was a tale of two seasons for the Wolfpack. The offense was miserable in the first couple games before they finally started to get it together. When their offense had okay numbers, the defense could keep the other team's number low enough for the win. Finally starting in the Duke game everything turned around and NC State won four straight and became a respectable team before losing to Rutgers and a rejuvenated Mike Teel in the bowl game. Russell Wilson is going to be a special one at quarterback, he already is good coming into his sophomore season and he's trying to reach "great" status. The defense also started giving up less points towards the end of the season last year. The ACC has no clear cut dominant team, so NC State has the chance to take it to the next level and reach the ACC Title game this season and possibly a BCS game if everything works out. The issue could become the schedule though. Playing at Florida State and at Virginia Tech may not be desirable, but they do miss Georgia Tech.
Strength - Russell Wilson
Wilson is easily the best and most important asset to this team. Russell Wilson got injured quickly against South Carolina and it was obvious how much it hurt them immediately. NC State had no offense until he returned to action and when he did he went on to a ridiculous 17-1 TD-INT ratio. Wilson will probably be a unanimous first teamer on the All-ACC squad pending injuries and contend for All-American honors although he will probably fail despite his play due his conference, his team, and his lack of hype opposed to the Big Three (Tebow, McCoy, and Bradford). His receiving corps returns pretty much intact and Wilson shouldn't have any problems with chemistry. Overcoming a weak offensive line will be his only issue.
Weakness - Offensive Line
The line returns the tackles and the center, but the line won't be an asset. None of the returning starters are anything special with Larsen probably being the best at center. The guard spots will either go to a pair of seniors, a pair of redshirt freshman, or a combination of the two. Either way the guard position isn't too scary of a though for opponents. The running back position is unsettled after losing starter Andre Brown to graduation, but luckily for the line Wilson has the ability to create for himself and take off if he has to. Wilson isn't going to be a Juice Williams, but opponents have to respect the run and he'll gain a few hundred yards on the ground this year. I expect him to be groomed as more as a Troy Smith type product with his rushing yards to decline each year as he becomes more pro-style and his passing game continues to get better.
Key Game - 10/31/09 @Florida State
The schedule is pretty weak up to this point and NC State should be making headlines as a top 15, if not as an over-rated top 10 team at this point. NC State can prove the critics wrong and build on the early season or they can fade off. Florida State will be their first test of the tougher portion of their schedule. This game could also ultimately decide the champion of the Atlantic division of the ACC. NC State will play consecutive games at Florida State, against Maryland and Clemson, at Virginia Tech, and finish against an improved North Carolina team. NC State could finish the year a middle of the pack 7-5 or a stellar 12-1. They're definitely a team to watch in the early season.
Key Player - Brandon Barnes
He won't be the early season starter, as that is the job of proven back up Jamelle Eugene, but he will have carries to prove himself and possibly ultimately take over the starting position. Barnes is the highest ranked of the NC State's stable of backs by a long shot and easily has the most potential. He's only a redshirt freshman, so fans can't expect the world out of him, but a 800 yard season is not out of the realm of possibilty and couple that with the yards Eugene and Wilson will contribute, NC State could be solid on the ground for this year and he could be a force in the future.
Impact Freshman - Jarvis Byrd
Predicted ACC finish - 1st (Atlantic)
Top 5 Players
1. QB Russell Wilson
2. CB DeAndre Morgan
3. LB Nate Irving
4. WR Owen Spencer
5. TE George Bryan
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