Favored + 2 Addendums

We are in T'OB's 6th year.

This was supposed to be 'the year'.

The year when we start the upward bend; the upward trend line; upward to  the top level of football in the ACC. Where, we may not be the best ACC team, but certainly on the way to be able to challenge FSU, VT and Miami (if they become resurgent) or Clemson (if they continue to improve).

In fact - Clemson is having the year we were supposed to have.

Over at UNCheats - where former head coach Butcher Davis all but destroyed any pretense of a football team with 'student-athletes' - BD was fired just before last season began - the interim head coach served only last year - they lost scholarships - many, many team members were dismissed (NCAA violations and academic cheating) - a new head coach hired - and this would be his first, rebuilding year.

And with all the above - UNCheats is a 7 point favorite going into this weekend's game.

A 7 freaking point favorite.

How in the Hell does our 6th year - we finally have talent and depth - team end up a 7 point underdog to a team that should be pretty much in shambles?

We will very likely end up 8 and 4 this year.

And even with, what should be a great record (for NC State) - I am ready for a change.

Addendum

My friend, CK points out by the time Larry Fedora will have been at UNCheats 6 years - they will be a Top 20 football team - for likely 3 years already. CK correctly believes that NC State is mired in mediocrity at 7 and 5 - but with the fan support and facilities - should be much better.

Let's assume for a moment that State loses to UNC and Clemson and finishes out the season at 8 and 4. Looking back - we really didn't win at Maryland. That Md kicker will make the 33 yard chip shot 9 times out 10 - heck - more like 19 times out of 20. So really - that game belonged to Maryland.

The FSU victory? Our guys played great. But, FSU was in control till a couple of seriously bone headed plays called by the FSU staff in the 4th quarter (a long pass instead of a short run on 3rd down and punting instead of going for a field goal). Add in a blocked punt (very unusual) and NC State pulls off the upset.

You take those 2 games - flip the outcome - and you've got a record that much more accurately measures what NC State football puts on the field this year - a 6 and 6 team.

8 and 4 means s*&t - We are mired in mediocrity.

I fervently hope that we win over at UNC. If we do, it'll be because of the players - not the coaching staff.

Sunday Addendum

The handicappers were right on - Lost by 8.

State had it won.

Bad play calling in the fourth quarter cost the game. Especially terrible play calling the last State possession. Tied - 1:30 and 3 time outs left. What do we do? We run to try and kill the clock to go into overtime. For what? To call the same crappy plays in overtime?

We should have tried to move it down field and kick the field goal for the win. Glennon was having a great passing day. But no - our coaches called plays . . . . . well, can't say not to lose, because we were tied. I don't know what in the hell they were thinking. We could have, and should have tried to put the winning field goal points on the scoreboard.

Our kids were willing and were the better team on the field.

Our coaches were idiots.

The Carolina coaches, on the other hand, called time outs. They wanted the ball back. They wanted the chance to win. And they did.

Here's a link to Wilmington NC Star-News sportswriter Bret Friedlander. He's an excellent columnist. His artcile about how State lost is dead on:

http://acc.blogs.starnewsonline.com/32801/wolfpacks-demise-began-long-before-decisive-punt-return/

Barn Burners

State didn't win - it was really Maryland that lost. A Maryland 33 yard chip shot clanks off the left goal post and State get's the win with 2 seconds left.



A W is a W. But the Wolfpack looked shakey again. Next week at UNCheats. Danny Sheridan odds at USA today comes out on Tuesdays. Even though Carolina lost to Dook - I wouldn't be surprised if UNC is at least a touchdown favorite.

DOOK!

It's fun to watch a football game where have an interest - but you don't really have a dog in the hunt. Of course, I was pulling for Dook over UNCheats. The fourth quarter was even more exciting than State's fourth quarter win over Florida State 2 weeks ago.



It's not often that the kids over in Durham get to storm the field. Which, I might add, they do so very politely. How 'bout that?



Go Dook!

One Point

Florida State lost the National Championship by one point last night.



NC State 17 – FSU 16.

It was a thrilling game with the winning score made by NC State with 16 seconds left. NC State’s final drive featured 3 fourth down – must make this or the game is over – plays.

Overall – FSU clearly has the talent, speed and size. But for some reason, they just didn’t have it working last night. NCSU’s defense somehow, improbably, kept making stops. Keeping FSU to one touchdown in the first half and then a shut out the second half.

Overall though – this game hurts both FSU and the ACC.

First – the ACC now does not have any chance of having a team in the National Championship game. FSU, ranked number 3, was that team. Maybe, there’s an outside, long odds, chance that this one loss by one point might allow FSU to rise in the BCS rankings to make it back. And – a lot of undefeated teams will have to lose as well. This scenario is too far fetched and won't happen..

Second – if FSU had gone undefeated and won the ACC Championship and then went to the National Championship game – then – the ACC Championship game runner up would have gone to the Orange Bowl. The ACC would have had 2 teams in BCS games. Clearly, that’s not going to happen either.

So – huge win for NC State. Huge loss for FSU and the ACC.

The crowd at Carter-Finley was awesome. That’s one of the loudest games I can recall.

Without the crowd (which forced possibly two FSU timeouts) pumping up the players – we would not have won that game.