Connect with us

NC State Football

Despite Losing to Clemson, NC State Can Make History if they Refocus

Published

on

NC State suffered a brutal loss this past Saturday to Clemson 41-7, and it left a bitter taste in the mouth of Wolfpack fans.

It’s Tuesday now. Hock that loogie, and spit it out. There is a lot of football left to play in 2018, and a lot of history to be made.

NC State still has the chance to finish with the most wins in a single season in school history. Philip Rivers led the Wolfpack to an 11-win season back in 2002, setting a new school record for wins in a single season (previous record was 9). While ESPN’s FPI projections gives NC State a 49% chance to beat Syracuse on the road this weekend, the S&P gives a 53% chance of a Wolfpack victory. In fact, even with the loss to Clemson, the S&P projections point toward NC State winning the rest of their regular season games, finishing with 11 wins (FPI projects a win in every game except Syracuse, which is practically a tossup.) If the Wolfpack is able to refocus and run the table, they will win the most regular season games in school history, and have the opportunity in a bowl game to win a 12th game, which would set a new record. For perspective, only 11 NC State teams have ever won 9 games (last year being one of them). Only one team has won more than 9, and that was the Rivers led team in 2002 that beat Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl to close things out. Only two coaches in school history have led their teams to back-to-back 9-win seasons: Dick Sheridan and Lou Holtz.

The Wolfpack has a chance to finish in the Top-25 for the second consecutive season. The Wolfpack spent 10 weeks in the Top-25 in 2017, and finished ranked 23rd in both the AP and the Coaches Poll. Currently, they are ranked 22nd in both polls, and have been in the Top-25 for the past 4 weeks. If NC State takes care of business, they will finish in the Top-25 for the 2nd consecutive season. The last time that happened was 1991-92…26 years ago!

If NC State can find a way to go 5-0 the rest of the way in conference play, they will finish with 7 ACC wins, which would be the most in school history. Only six Wolfpack teams have won 6 ACC games, with last years team being one of them.

This past weekend was disappointing. NC State fans desperately want to get over the hump, and surpass Clemson, because they are the juggernaut between them and an ACC Championship, which the Wolfpack hasn’t won since 1979. Even if NC State would have beaten the Tigers on Saturday, they wouldn’t have been the better team. Dabo Swinney has built a program…a dynasty down in Tiger Town, and he has done that through consistency. Clemson finishes every year in the Top-25, and every year they reel in a Top-25 recruiting class.

Last year NC State finished in the Top-25 for the first time since 2010, and brought in a Top-25 recruiting class for the first time since 2008. One year is good…two years in a row is the beginning marks of consistency. The Wolfpack’s 2019 recruiting class currently ranks 20th according to Rivals. NC State hasn’t had back-to-back Top-25 recruiting classes…ever.

If NC State wants to get anywhere near Clemson’s level, they need to consistently finish in the Top-25, and consistently pull in Top-25 recruiting classes. There is a lot of work to be done in 2018, but the opportunity is on the table.

Matthew is Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He writes for all sports, with a focus on football and recruiting, and is in charge of business strategy. He is an NC State alum who majored in business. Matthew is also the lead pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

1 Comment
Subscribe
Notify of
1 Comment
newest
oldest most Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
ppack3
ppack3
5 years ago

Thank you, Matthew! This needed to be said, in a big way!

It is a lofty goal to win out this year, but that IS the goal. And, it is not only possible, but probable, according to S&P. I’m not counting on it, but I am excited about our chances.

Your points about where our program is at, compared to Clemson AND compared to Wolfpack history are incredibly on point. Kudos, sir.

NC State Football

Former NC State Running Back Jordan Houston Signs with Marshall

Published

on

Former NC State Running Back Jordan Houston has officially transferred to Marshall for his final year of eligibility. NC State played Marshall this past season, but Houston didn’t play against the Thundering Herd, because he had already opted to redshirt the remainder of the season.

After playing in three games this past season, Houston opted to redshirt the remainder of the season (despite the fact that he was the starter at the time), giving him the ability to transfer with one year of eligibility remaining.

Houston played in 51 games for NC State over 5 years on the field, rushing for 1,392 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and 6 touchdowns. He also caught 60 passes for 398 yards and 1 touchdown.

Houston was a 3-Star prospect in NC State’s 2019 recruiting class out of Flint High School in Oakton, Virginia.

Continue Reading

NC State Football

Philip Rivers will Finally be Enshrined in the NC State Hall of Fame in April

Published

on

Wolfpack legend Philip Rivers will finally be inducted into the NC State Hall of Fame on April 20th!

Rivers was elected into the Hall of Fame back in 2013 (2nd year of the NC State Hall of Fame), but he has deferred his enshrinement over the years due to time constraints.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tuffy Talk Podcast (@tuffytalknow)

Rivers pretty much owns every NC State record for Quarterbacks, and still has the most Career Passing Yards and Passes Completed in ACC history, and he ranks 3rd in Touchdown Passes. Rivers was the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2000, and the ACC Player of the Year in 2003.

You can buy your tickets here.

Continue Reading

NC State Football

DJ Burns Had a Word for Wolfpack Fans After Winning the ACC Championship

Published

on

When NC State’s DJ Burns was giving his acceptance speech after receiving the 2024 ACC Tournament MVP Award, Burns had the following quote to say when asked what he wanted to say to the fans.

“I’m going to keep it real simple. Thank you to the ones who’ve been consistent throughout the ride, and welcome back everybody else.”

Burns’ words struck a chord.

Throughout much of this season, it was embarrassing to see all the empty seats in PNC Arena.

As the Wolfpack lost 7 of their final 9 regular season games, it was clear that this team wasn’t just losing games, but they were also losing much of the fanbase.

It’s clear from Burns’ words that the empty seats were noticed, and so were the words of fans online.

NC State finished the regular season 10th, and much of the fanbase was frustrated, and rightfully so.

But, frustrated doesn’t have to mean giving up.

‘Never giving up’ is kind of supposed to be NC State’s thing.

The words of Jimmy V reverberate throughout the history of NC State basketball.

This team didn’t always put W’s in the Win column this season, and it wasn’t always an easy watch, but never for a moment were these players not playing as hard as they could for their school, one another, and their coach.

They never gave up.

Fans have a right to be frustrated, but you can still show up for a team, even when they struggle, because that’s what loyal fans do. When players wear a jersey with NC State across the chest, and they don’t give up, their fans shouldn’t either.

NC State fans aren’t known to be fair weather fans. Let’s not get in the business of leading our players to think we are.

But, like Burns said, whether you’ve been along for the ride all season or not, it’s time to hop on.

 

 

Continue Reading

NC State Football

WATCH: PackInsider’s 2023 Sean Brown Highlight Reel

Published

on

This past season was a breakout season for Junior Safety, now turned Linebacker, Sean Brown.

This past season, Brown started in 11 of the 13 games that he played in, and ranked 3rd on the team in tackles (66) and pass breakups (5). He also had 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble. Brown’s PFF Grade of 63.7 ranked 13th on the team. His Tackling Grade of 86.6 ranked 2nd on the team behind Payton Wilson.

As you will notice in our Highlight Reel ABOVE, Brown lived in the box, and is a very ferocious tackler. He will fit right in at Linebacker next year for the Wolfpack.

Continue Reading