NC State’s Defense Must Stop The Big Play

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.