Per Rivals.com, State could be one of the more underrated teams in the country:
I'd rather see State continue to float beneath the radar for a while longer, see what the prognosis is for Nate Irving, see how the team looks in fall practice and then start talking about reasonable expectations for the coming season.
But stuff like this -- positive press nationally -- is ultimately a good thing from an exposure standpoint, so we'll take it.
• N.C. State: Few – if any – would give North Carolina State a chance in the ACC's Atlantic Division race, but counting out the Wolfpack would be a mistake. Sophomore Russell Wilson is the conference's premier quarterback, and NC State can't be overlooked as long as he's healthy. He threw 17 touchdown passes and only one interception last season, and he rallied the Wolfpack to a four-game winning streak to close the regular season. That included wins over Wake Forest, North Carolina and Miami. The defense has to improve, but seven starters return, including end Willie Young. NCSU has made steady progress in two seasons under coach Tom O'Brien, and a significant leap could come in his third year. The Wolfpack probably won't show up on any preseason top-25 lists, but if Wilson stays healthy and the defense makes progress, they have a chance to break into the rankings.If you're like me, you witnessed the injury bug bite the Pack last season and saw the luck State's overall athletics program had had this summer, so you're probably a bit wary at this point of too many more writers hopping on the "underrated" bandwagon.
I'd rather see State continue to float beneath the radar for a while longer, see what the prognosis is for Nate Irving, see how the team looks in fall practice and then start talking about reasonable expectations for the coming season.
But stuff like this -- positive press nationally -- is ultimately a good thing from an exposure standpoint, so we'll take it.
If State can get the first one they'll have a great chance at 4-0. That will be great momentum going to Wake.I know nothing about Pitt but looking at the rest of the schedule State will have an excellent opportunity to be on that radar. On the other hand ACC games are like flipping a coin but I like State this year.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Big J...if they can get a big win against South Carolina at home, that could start a great run to begin the year.
ReplyDeleteAs always, how well State avoids injuries will likely dictate just how far they can go. They've struggled with that the last two years...I'm hoping that part of the equation is behind us, but Nate's car accident looms as a bad omen.
Thanks for stopping by...don't be a stranger.
We (ECU) fans are no strangers to the term "underrated" or "underdog" to boot. I like it. Puts a chip on your shoulder and gives the players on the field that extra effort they need to pull out some W's. We (ECU) fans were soaking up the positive press last year right up until you guys (NCSU) ruined our perfect start to the season. Hell of game by the way, hell of a game. That killed our momentum and we too were bit by the injury bug. Had a few more bumps in the road but like you guys we finished nicely.
ReplyDeleteECU beating some marque opponents and getting in the top 25 last year was key to the positive press. And having the last name Holtz leading the way with pops on ESPN didn't hurt either. Lets hope for more of the same this year for both teams.