2010 projected record: 6-6 (overall), 3-5 (ACC)
Why we know we're right: The Wolfpack are going to be hard-pressed to improve on a defense that last year tied Maryland for last in the league for scoring defense. The return of linebacker Nate Irving (car accident, missed all of 2009) helps, and he'll move from the outside to middle linebacker and lead the unit. But N.C. State has no experience on the defensive line and little help in back seven, although C.J. Wilson emerged last fall as a potential shutdown cornerback. So many issues on defense puts a lot of pressure on the offense to not only score points, but limit turnovers and eliminate short fields for the defense to defend. N.C. State ranked 77th in the nation in turnovers lost last year.
Number 54: NC State. "Why we know we're right" is followed by "why we might be wrong," which I guess means 6-6 is set in stone.
