2008 North Carolina State College Football Predictions
2008 North Carolina State College Football Predictions Courtesy of Alex Smart, An Expert College Football Handicapper featured on Touthouse.com. If you are betting college football games this season, Buy Alex’s College Football Picks.
North Carolina State (5-7, 3-5 in 2007, 6th place in ACC Atlantic)
After watching Boston College jump as high as #2 in the polls last season, North Carolina State HC Tom O’Brien had to be scratching his head trying to figure out why he ever left Chestnut Hill. His Wolfpack were one of the worst teams in the ACC in 2007, and could be headed in that direction again in ’08.
2007 Highlight: In a season without much to write home about, the best game the Wolfpack played in ’07 came when the #15 Virginia Cavaliers paid a visit to Raleigh. QB Daniel Evans hooked up with Donald Bowens for the game-winning touchdown with 7:37 remaining to earn NC State the 29-24 upset victory. Bowens recorded 11 catches for 202 yards and two scores, while Evans had the best game of his career throwing for 347 yards and three touchdowns.
2007 Lowlight: After opening 1-5, the Wolfpack went on a four-game winning streak that had everyone in Raleigh hoping for a bowl game. The next two weeks were a major disappointment, with equally depressing losses to Wake Forest and Maryland. They were beaten in those two weeks by a combined score of 75-18, and only managed 67 rushing yards combined. Instead of going bowling, NCSU was left home to lick its wounds after a bitter end to the season.
Offensive Outlook: For a unit that was statistically the worst in the ACC, perhaps it’s a good thing that only six of the 11 starters return. Unfortunately, the only notable receiver returning from ’07 is Bowens. Evans must improve on his 18/24 career TD/INT ratio in his senior season, or Harrison Beck could take over. Watch for redshirt frosh Russel Williams to also see some time under center in 2008.
Defensive Outlook: Things don’t look much better on the defensive side of the ball either. Four starters return from 2007. DE Willie Young is likely an All-ACC candidate, but the rest of the front seven is highly inexperienced and will probably struggle mightily this year. The secondary does feature two returning corners, but both starting safeties will be brand new.
2008 Preview: Aside from a cupcake game against William & Mary, are there any games on this schedule that are certain victories? The good news is that they only leave the Carolinas once all season (at Maryland), but with non-conference games against South Carolina, East Carolina, and South Florida looming, wins could be few and far between. Even a win against Duke isn’t a sure-fire win anymore with David Cutcliffe at the reigns for the Blue Devils.
2008 will be a success if… the fans in Raleigh have a reason to attend home games. This could be the worst version of the NC State Wolfpack in many years, and O’Brien is going to have a lot of explaining to do if the season ends up being as bad as we think it will be.
Inevitably, NC State will win a couple games on the season… but we do mean “a couple.”
Prediction: 2-10, 6th place in ACC Atlantic
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