NC State Football Preview - SCACCHoops.com

NC State Football Preview

by UMwolfpack87

Posted: 8/14/2013 11:13:38 AM


With a new coach in place and some excitement being generated, many Wolfpack fans are not sure what to expect in 2013.  When Dave Doeren was hired as the new coach at NC State, most Pack fans only knew that he wanted to bring an up-tempo pace to the offense.  Between this promise and a solid start on the recruiting trail, things could be headed in the right direction for a program that’s been average to above-average in the ACC in recent years.  With some returning talent and a favorable schedule, year one of the Doeren era should get off to a decent start.

Offense

As always, the offense will go as its quarterback allows.  For the Pack, this is perhaps the biggest question mark on offense.  One of the two transfers, Brandon Mitchell or Pete Thomas, will surely be the starter.  It appears that Mitchell will win the job, whether it is to start the season or a few games in, due to his fit for the offense.  Mitchell is the more mobile of the two, having played wide receiver at Arkansas last season (finishing with 17 receptions for 272 yards).  Thomas has a strong arm like Mitchell, but might not fit the no huddle attack that offensive coordinator Matt Canada plans to employ.  The key for whoever wins the starting job will be to manage the game, they do not have to necessarily be Russell Wilson. 

Running back is perhaps the strongest offensive unit, but depth could be a concern.  Last season‘s leading returning rushers, sophomore Shadrach Thornton and junior Tony Creecy, return.  Thornton is suspended for at least the season opener, so Creecy and freshman Matt Dayes will need to carry the load.  Thornton showed a lot of promise as a freshman while rushing for 694 yards in 10 games.  This was a pleasant surprise for someone who had planned to redshirt as late as three games into the season.  Creecy ran for 476 yards, but averaged only 3.7 yards per carry last season.  He has admitted that he was never fully healthy last season, so perhaps that average could go up.  The wildcard is the freshman Dayes.  He will certainly play this season, and could even fight for a starting spot based on comments coming out of fall camp. 

Matt Canada plans on using 7-8 receivers in his offense going forward.  Seniors Quintin Payton and Rashard Smith, along with junior Bryan Underwood, are the known commodities in the receiving corps.  Payton had a bit of a breakout season in 2012, with 51 catches for 798 yards.  However, it remains to be seen if he is a fit for the new speed-oriented offense.  Underwood had 10 touchdowns in his first eight games last season, but struggled a bit in his last five.  He and Smith appear to be major parts of the offense in 2013.  Travares Copeland, a transfer from West Virginia, may be the breakout star of the group based on his speed and agility.  Charlie Hegedus and several freshmen will likely see extended playing time at wideout as well.  Senior Asa Watson has the ability to be a dangerous weapon at the tight end spot, as his skill set appears to fit this offense perfectly. 

The offensive line is a question mark, but there is some returning experience.  Former five star Rob Crisp is now a senior, and provides some stability at left tackle.  Junior tackle Tyson Chandler and senior guard Duran Christophe have both started multiple games in past seasons while filling in due to injuries.  Chandler has had his struggles in the past, while Christophe has been rather steady.  Sophomores Joe Thuney and Alex Barr look to be the starters at center and guard, respectively, but there is still competition for those spots.  The development of the offensive line, along with quarterback play, will be the key to this season. 

Defense

Many experts will tell you that the success of the defense depends on the play of the defensive line.  Thankfully for NC State, that is a relative strength heading into 2013.  Junior tackles T.Y. McGill and Thomas Teal are seen as future pros by many.  They were a major reason why the Pack ranked near the top of the nation in sacks for the second year in a row.  The defensive end position will likely be handled by a committee of seniors Darryl Cato-Bishop and Forrest West, junior Art Norman, and sophomore Mike Rose.  Norman and Cato-Bishop are expected to see the most time of the four. 

The linebacking corps has some athleticism, but is mostly unproven at this point.  Senior D.J. Green was suspended for the entire season for a failed drug test due to an illegal nutritional supplement.  He showed promise after starting as a sophomore.  M.J. Salahuddin will likely start at either middle linebacker or on the weak side after playing special teams as a true freshman.  Brandon Pittman, Rodman Noel, and Zach Gentry look to be the frontrunners for the other starting spot. 

Senior Dontae Johnson and junior Juston Burris had solid seasons at cornerback in 2012 and will undoubtedly be the leaders of the secondary this season.  Burris had three interceptions last season, the most of any returning player.  Senior Jarvis Byrd made the switch from corner to free safety after having two ACL tears since arriving in Raleigh.  The coaches have mentioned his leadership and look for him to have a big year.  Hakim Jones looks to take over the other safety spot as a sophomore. 

Special Teams

Juniors Niklas Sade and Wil Baumann will look to improve on last season’s efforts.  Both struggled with consistency last season, with Sade finishing 10 of 16 on field goals.  There are plenty of options in the return game for 2013.  Rashard Smith returned punts last season and looks to be one of the frontrunners for that position along with helping on kickoffs.  Travares Copeland and freshmen Bra’Lon Cherry and Sean Paul may get some time on special teams as well. 

Schedule

The schedule is one of the biggest reasons for optimism for the Wolfpack in 2013.  With eight home games and only two games outside of the state of North Carolina, there is no reason that Dave Doeren’s first team does not make a bowl game.  Louisiana Tech, Richmond, Central Michigan, and East Carolina are all home, non-conference games.  In conference play, the Pack gets Clemson on a Thursday night, Syracuse, North Carolina, and Maryland.  On the road, NC State visits Wake Forest, Florida State, Duke, and Boston College.    

Prediction

With satisfactory play from either Mitchell or Thomas, there is no reason that NC State will not be playing in a bowl game this season.  There is enough talent at the skill positions on both sides of the ball to win at least six games against this schedule.  Coach Doeren will have the advantage of being somewhat unknown to the coaches in the ACC and should see some success.  All in all, I see a seven win regular season and mid-range bowl game in the Wolfpack’s immediate future. 

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