NC State Football

4 Questions Heading into FSU

Published

7 years ago

September 23, 2017

Matthew Bradham

Here are four questions that we have with a little more than an hour to go before kick off.

1) Will NC State’s defense get to true freshman quarterback James Blackman?

After losing starting quarterback Deondre Francois, True freshman James Blackman will take his first collegiate snaps and make his first career start today. The Seminole offensive line gave up over 30 sacks last year, and the question is whether or not the NFL caliber Wolfpack defensive line will be able to put pressure on him or not?

2) Will NC State’s high-powered offense continue?

The Wolfpack offense has averaged right under 500 yards through the first three games. Last season the Wolfpack were able to accumulate 469 yards of total offense against them, averaging 4.0 yards per carry. FSU has a very talented defense again this year, and we will have to see if NC State matches up well with them again this year.

3) Can NC State stop Cam Akers?

Last season the Wolfpack held Florida State’s rushing attack to 2.6 yards per carry. Remember, that Dalvin Cook was the feature back last year, and is doing impressive things currently for the Minnesota Vikings. Cam Akers is a very talented true freshman running back, and you have to assume that Florida State will push the run game with a freshman quarterback behind center. With that being said, that would put two true freshman in at the same time. Will the Wolfpack defense to be able to stuff the run again, and take advantage of Florida State’s youth?

4) Will NC State win the turnover margin?

After losing a game against South Carolina in the season opener due to turnovers, the Wolfpack have a +5 in the turnover margin over the past two games. To beat a team like Florida State, there is no room for mistakes. Ryan Finley must keep his interception avoidance streak going, and his boys have to hold on to the football.

NC State Football

CBS Sports Ranks Dave Doeren as 1 of the Top-20 Coaches in College Football

Published

7 hours ago

May 16, 2024

Matthew Bradham

CBS Sports released their Top-25 Power 4 Coaches in College Football, and NC State’s Dave Doeren came in at #16. Heading into last season, he went into the season ranked #25.

16) Dave Doeren: The NC State coach finally gets some overdue credit. He’s always hovered around the bottom of our top 25 or just outside it, and now he finds himself firmly entrenched in it thanks to all the changes at the top. Coaches who take mid-tier programs and overachieve never get enough credit, in my estimation, and the consistency Doeren has established at NC State — where he spent most of his time in a division with Clemson and Florida State — is one of the most impressive things any coach in the country has done. I’m glad to see Doeren getting closer to the top 15. 2023 rank: 25 (+9) (CBS Sports)

Numerous CBS Sports’ analysts voted in the poll, and Tom Fornelli actually ranked Doeren #8.

ACC Coaches that made the Top-25

3. Dabo Swinney (Clemson)

8. Mike Norvell (FSU)

16. Dave Doeren (NC State)

19. Jeff Brohm (Louisville)

NC State Football

NC State vs. Tennessee Kickoff Time & TV Network Revealed

Published

1 day ago

May 15, 2024

Matthew Bradham

Kickoff time and TV Channel details have been revealed for NC State and Tennessee’s game in the Duke Mayo Classic in Week 2 of next season.

The game will be a primetime game on Saturday 7th, at 7:30pm on ABC.

This game has the makings to be a Top-25 matchup.

Here’s a look at some of the Way-Too-Early Preseason rankings for the Wolfpack and the Volunteers:

Action Network: NC State #24/Tennessee #17

ON3: NC State #22/Tennessee #15

247: NC State #21/Tennessee #11

ESPN: NC State #17/Tennessee #15

DraftKings released their way-too-early odds for the game, and Tennessee is currently a 5.5-point favorite.

Here’s the deal, as NC State fans, if we want to be a big time Football program, NC State fans need to gobble up tickets to this game. Let’s do our part and make sure that Bank of America Stadium is painted RED. Buy Tickets HERE.

NC State Football

NC State and UVA Agree to Home-and-Home Non-Conference Games

Published

2 days ago

May 15, 2024

Matthew Bradham

NC State announced this morning that the Wolfpack and UVA will play in a home-and-home non-conference series, with the game in 2025 being in Raleigh, and the game in 2026 being in Charlottesville.

To reiterate, despite the fact that both teams are in the ACC, these games are considered non-conference games, and won’t count toward conference records. This is similar to what UNC and Wake Forest did a few years back.

Here’s what’s interesting about the addition of these games in 2025 and 2026. Prior to the announcement, NC State already had 4 non-conference games scheduled for both years.