North Carolina State football is back and looking to build on a return to form in 2014. That form included winning four of their final five games, reaching (and winning) a bowl game against a nine-win UCF team. State also ended a twelve-game ACC losing streak.
By going 3-5 in conference last year, the Wolfpack got coach Dave Doeren his first ACC win, and got themselves on the right track to making even more noise this year.
2015 brings six home and six away games for NC State. Seven of their twelve opponents went bowling last season, while an eighth (Old Dominion) was eligible at 6-6.
Seven starters return on offense, and eight on defense. The offensive side gets its top three rushers from a year ago back: running backs Shadrach Thornton (once back from suspension), Matt Dayes, and quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
Brissett was a welcome source of consistency in the Pack offense last season, throwing for over 2,600 yards, and adding 763 on the ground.
The redshirt senior gets three of his four leading receivers back in Bra’Lon Cherry, tight end David Grinnage and the above-mentioned Dayes.
The run game looks to be the focal point, given Brissett’s ground ability, and the two backs returning. The early non-conference games will give us a taste of just how balanced this team can, and will be.
The Pack defense gave itself more opportunities to win last season than in its bend and break foray in 2013. With another year of up-tempo, pass-happy offenses on the slate, the defense will once again need to keep their offense within striking distance, while avoiding things getting out of hand.
Despite getting over the hump, and on the board in conference play, they still couldn’t crack into the top tier of the division. Getting to 4-0 looks like a good possibility given the non-conference schedule. Once the ACC kicks in, they’re going to have to find a way to not just prey on weaker opponents. This first half of the schedule won’t provide any breathing room once Louisville and Virginia Tech come knocking.
Game 1: vs. Troy Trojans, September 5, 6 PM ET, ESPN3
Line: NC State -26 O/U 58 (Vegas Insider)
The Trojans make their first trip to Raleigh to begin once again the Pack’s recent trend of FCS and Sun Belt teams early on. State did the same thing last year with Georgia Southern coming in, but I don’t expect this one to repeat that nail-biter, nor do I see Troy winning nine games, as did that GS Eagles team. In the long run, better competition will serve the Wolfpack more, but the two games out of the gate will be about getting their footing, and establishing the run game (minus starter Shadrach Thornton), which should propel them to a blowout win.
NC State 1-0
Game 2: vs. Eastern Kentucky Colonels, September 12, 6 PM ET, ESPN3
The Pack’s lone FCS opponents this season are the Colonels from Eastern Kentucky out of the Ohio Valley Conference. EKU has been fed to an ACC or SEC school in the past few years, and this shouldn’t be any different. This should serve as a game to work out any kinks in the system Coach Doeren sees in the first game. NC State will need to step up their game in prep for their first road trip. I don’t see the starters getting much action in the second half, so they had better rest up for the trip to Norfolk the following week.
NC State 2-0
Game 3: at Old Dominion Monarchs, September 19, 7 PM ET
ODU could be one of the most dangerous teams in the C-USA. The top tier of that conference can score with anyone, and not taking ODU seriously could spell disaster. The Monarchs will have added incentive given they went 6-6 last season in their first year of bowl eligibility, but were left out. In their third season in FBS, they will be out to prove they belong. Fortunately for the Wolfpack, ODU will not sneak up on them anytime soon, as last year in Raleigh, State found itself in a shootout and got out with a 46-34 win. I think NC State can afford to give up 34 again, but they would love to avoid it. The Monarchs were 16th in passing yards last year, but 115th in overall points against.
NC State 3-0
Game 4: at South Alabama Jaguars, September 26
The Jaguars get the return game in Mobile after back-to-back games in Raleigh in 2011 and ’12. State won those 35-13 and 31-7. This one shouldn’t go much different, but I don’t see USA lying down as they’ve got another bowl berth in mind this year. Hosting an ACC school in football maniacal Alabama will put more butts in seats than their opener vs. Gardner Webb. The Wolfpack should finish the non-conference slate at 4-0 before the ACC comes calling with Louisville next.
NC State 4-0
Game 5: vs. Louisville Cardinals, October 3
State’s respite from road games is a nasty home tilt with Louisville. Either the Pack will wilt under actual pressure from a conference foe, or Louisville’s schedule will catch up to them. The Cardinals will be tested for sure, while if State is tested thus far, it won’t be the start to the season most Pack fans anticipated. In what could be the battle for third in the division, getting the Cards at home is a big advantage. NC State will look to exploit a defense that returns only four and let the points pile up in the second half last season. State will also need to get the ground game going just as Nick Chubb did in his Belk Bowl performance last December (269 yards) vs. the Cardinals defense. Brissett, Thornton, and Dayes should all feature prominently in a rush attack that should be enough to wear down a Louisville team that will have licked its early season wounds vs. Samford. Regardless, Auburn, Houston, and Clemson might have the Cards hovering at or below .500 when they visit Raleigh. This will be a hungry Louisville team no matter what, and I expect a close, hard fought Wolfpack win.
NC State 5-0 (1-0 ACC)
Game 6: at Virginia Tech, Friday October 9, 8 PM ET, ESPN
Make or break in Virginia, especially if the Pack loses any of their first five games. Dropping a non-conference game would be disastrous in its own right, but 4-1 is salvageable. That makes this one big, big time. Digging a hole for themselves has become a nasty habit for the Wolfpack, and dropping to 0-2 in ACC play would be a deja vu moment no one wants. Trouble in paradise could come just before mid-season. Before they hit the film and meeting rooms on a bye week, Friday night in Blacksburg looms large on the schedule. Yes, Beamer Ball was down last year at 6-6, but the Hokies still ranked 14th in points against last year. If either team gets to the 20s on the scoreboard, they might have enough to win. VA Tech has their sights set on getting back to the ACC Championship Game, so there’s motives galore in this game. If the Hokies somehow pulls a stunner vs. Ohio State in their opener, they could be 5-0 when State comes in. Even 4-1 is a fine place to be, and the Hokie faithful feed off their team no matter what the record. But if they are off to a hot start, and they smell blood in the water on a Friday night, State could see whatever momentum they’ve built in the first half come to screeching halt. The Wolfpack winning streak ends at eight games.
NC State 5-1 (1-1 ACC)
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