Recently a guest columnist at The Technician (NC State’s Student Paper) called for Coach Dave Doeren to be fired.  At first this may seem a little hasty given that this is only his third season and the Wolfpack improved dramatically from year 1 to year 2 under Doeren.  Last season State won 8 games (including a bowl game) and finished with the 33rd rated recruting class according to ESPN.  It appeared that the rebuilding process was beginning to turn the corner…all signs pointed up.

The 2015 season started as predicted.  State won the first four games of the season with little trouble given the much scrutinized non-conference schedule.  Then the real season started and NC State now finds itself 0-2 in the ACC, an all too familiar theme with Doeren.  In his three seasons at the helm, the Wolfpack is a horrendous 3-15 record against ACC teams.

In the first two ACC games the Wolfpack looked overmatched, especially this past Friday at VT.  The players seemed disinterested and unprepared.  This is a direct reflection on the coaching staff.  The team stats are just as putrid.  In the two ACC games NC State is averaging 13 points per game and just 249 yards.  Let’s not overlook the fact that they have only managed 3 touchdowns as well.  It doesn’t get any better on the defensive side as the Pack is ranked in the bottom tier of total defense as they are allowing 332 yards per game, and 24 points per contest.  Especially troubling are the big plays State seemingly surrenders every game, in particular on the ground.  State ranks 12th (in the ACC) as they have allowed on average 201 yards gained on the ground in the ACC.

Are these reasons for Dave Doeren to be fired right now?  Absolutely not.  Do NC State fans have justified reason to be frustrated?  Yes.

We are only at the halfway point of the season.  Things can change in an instant, especially given the fact that State has Clemson and Florida State upcoming.  If State can win one of these games, then all of this talk is for naught.  A completely different team will have to show up in order for the Pack to have any chance of beating either team.  Did NC State miss their chance to do something special in the ACC this season? Probably so.  But Doeren still has 6 ACC games in front of him, which is plenty of time to change the current mood.

The bye week could not have come at a better time for State and Doeren.  Come October 24th a lot of answers will be revealed as to what we can expect for the rest of the season when NC State travels to Wake Forest.