Big plays have been the achilles heel for the NC State defense this season. It seems that the defense has played well, but have had too many lapses in focus that have allowed a team to score at the end of a half or the beginning of a game. Explosion plays (10+ yards rushing, 20+ yards passing) have a way of skewing the overall perception of a team or unfairly labeling a particular unit.
The Wolfpack defense have been pretty stingy when one looks at total team defense in respect to yards allowed. In four games the Pack have only allowed 823 yards, which averages out to 205.8 per game. NC State ranks 3rd in total defense in the FBS when it comes to yards allowed per game. The only two schools ahead of them are Boston College and Michigan.
Of the 823 yards allowed 490 yards (60%) have come on explosion plays, which has given the perception that the Pack are weak on defense, but the Pack rank 3rd in yards per game proves that they are formidable.
Make no mistake about it, the defensive stats have been padded by the scheduling of lesser opponents, but NC State has highly skilled players on the defensive unit that have played well for the majority of the season. The problem has been when they have lost focus or interest momentarily as they have faced a lesser opponent. This will change as the Wolfpack begin ACC play this weekend.
I am sure the players are tired of hearing about the weak non-conference schedule and that the defensive unit will come out with a chip on their shoulder this weekend against Louisville. NC State has a lot to prove this weekend as they look to win their first ACC game and push their win streak to 8 games. Saturday will answer a lot of questions for the Pack.
ON3’s Jesse Simonton ranked the Top-25 College Football Coaches heading into the 2024 season, and NC State’s Dave Doeren ranks 23rd.
Here’s what Simonton had to say about Doeren:
23. Dave Doeren, NC State
Doeren became the Wolfpack’s all-time winningest head coach last season, overcoming all manors of offensive ineptitude to win eight games for the fourth straight season. He still hasn’t busted through the glass ceiling and taken NC State to an ACC Championship, but the Wolfpack have legitimate conference title hopes in 2024 with the offseason work Doeren has done via the portal (quarterback Grayson McCall, tailbacks Jordan Waters and Hollywood Smothers and receivers Noah Rogers and Wesley Grimes).
In 11 seasons in Raleigh, Doeren’s program has been steadily consistent and has become a model for development (17 NFL Draft picks since 2018) and strength and conditioning. (ON3)
ACC Coaches in the Top-25
6. Dabo Swinney (Clemson)
7. Mike Norvell (FSU)
20. Jeff Brohm (Louisville)
23. Dave Doeren (NC State)
The 1st round of the 2024 NFL Draft will begin this evening at 8pm on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. NC State has had 19 players drafted in the 1st round.
NC State ranks 8th in ACC history in 1st Round Picks.
Three of the Wolfpack’s 1st Round Picks have come under Dave Doeren’s watch, which ranks 2nd all-time in school history. Chuck Amato had 5 players drafted in the 1st round, which is the most ever under a coach at NC State.
Chuck Amato – 5
Dave Doeren – 3
Mike O’Cain – 2
Dick Sheridan – 2
Bo Rein – 2
Earle Edwards – 2
While most projections don’t have Wolfpack Linebacker Payton Wilson going in the 1st round tonight, a few do. Wilson was invited to attend the NFL Draft, but he will be tuning in from his home in Hillsborough. We’ll have to tune in tonight to see if Wilson hears his name called on the 1st night of the 2024 NFL Draft.
