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NC State Football

NC State vs. USF | Week 1 | Preview and How to Watch

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3 years ago

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NC State Wolfpack vs. University of South Florida Bulls
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: A LOUD Carter-Finley
TV: ACCN
Line: NCSU -19

 

WE’VE MADE IT PEOPLE!!! IT’S GAMEDAY IN RALEIGH!!!

After nearly 650 days without a packed Carter-Finley, Wolfpack football returns with an opportunity to run with the true dark horse label for the 2021 football season. After going 8-4 last season, State enters a Thursday night season opener against a beatable USF Bulls team.

 

USF Preview

Last time we did a preview of a USF team (Women’s Bball) we got into some…let’s say…debates on social with folks down in Tampa. They weren’t happy that we were throwing shade on their squad…and here we are again.

The 2020 season couldn’t have gone much worse for the Bulls. Their lone win, in 9 games, was in the season opener against The Citadel. Then, well, it just was a long, painful grind.

Like any new season, things can change. Plenty of transfers have come in to right the ship, and offensively, they do have talent. Their O-Line, RBs and WRs all have plenty of snaps to compete. Their QB? Cade Fortin, who State fans will know from his time at UNC. We’d like to say that season was too long ago to matter, but Carolina finished 2-9 and Fedora canned…so it totally matters.

Where State can really take advantage is against USF’s defense. Last year, the Bulls managed 7…SEVEN…total sacks on the season. To put that into perspective, State’s Daniel Joseph had 6.5 by himself. For Leary to come back, settle in and make his reads in week one, will be HUGE for confidence and season-long momentum.

 

Keys to Winning for the Wolfpack

  • We just mentioned this, but State has to take advantage of every opportunity this USF  defense gives them. Furthermore, they NEED to protect the ball. Turnovers were absolute killers last year for the Wolfpack. They get a chance to start a season against a poor defense, who’s solid transfers have yet to see game action in their new scheme. Keep passes short and clean, get into a nice pace and allow yourself to find that perfect run/pass balance.
  • Secondary can have themselves a night. Fortin is decent, but he’s going to give you a couple lame ducks that need to be intercepted. The ability for Joseph and company to get into the backfield, will only help State’s cause.
  • Can State improve their run defense? What USF’s backfield lacks in size, they make up in speed. Joiner and Battie can absolutely fly. State needs to control the edge and make them push inside. The STELLAR State linebacker core has to do their thing in the cleanup department.

Prediction

On paper, this is all State. If this was week five and we saw the same type of USF play as last year, this would be a cake walk. The -19 spread is scary, but if State finds their groove early, this could be a fun one.

Set the tone offensively, show continued improvement on defense, let’s get this 2021 campaign started.

State – 37
USF -17

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Papajohn
Papajohn
2 years ago

Great first game!!

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NC State Football

Does the Addition of the UVA Series Equal the Elimination of NC State’s Series with App St.?

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1 day ago

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May 17, 2024

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Earlier this week it was announced that NC State and Virginia would play one another in a home-and-home series, with the Wolfpack hosting in 2025, and the Cavaliers hosting in 2026.

Prior to the announcement, NC State already had their non-conference slate booked for both of those seasons.

As a result of the addition of the Virginia series, a previously scheduled non-conference game from each season would need to be dropped. While it hasn’t been officially announced by the school, Joe Giglio and David Glenn seem to think that the series with Appalachian State is going to be dropped.

It would make the most sense, considering the Mountaineers were the only opponent the Wolfpack was scheduled to play in both 2025 and 2026. It would also make sense, considering the fact that ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips isn’t a fan of ACC teams playing Group of 5 schools on the road.

I will tell you this much. The Mountaineer faithful certainly believe NC State is dropping the series with App State, and it just takes a little scrolling on X (formerly Twitter) to get a read on their feelings on the situation.

This situation brings to mind the bill that has been proposed in the North Carolina House of Representatives that would force NC State and UNC to play App St., ECU and UNC Charlotte in Football, Men’s Basketball and Women’s Basketball.

If the addition of UVA means the elimination of App St. on NC State’s schedule, what are your thoughts? Share in the comments.

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NC State Football

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

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2 days ago

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May 16, 2024

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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)

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NC State Football

NC State vs. Tennessee Kickoff Time & TV Network Revealed

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3 days ago

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May 15, 2024

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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.

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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.

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NC State Football

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

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3 days ago

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May 15, 2024

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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.

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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.

It would be my assumption that one of the previously scheduled non-conference games for each season will not take place now.

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