Wake Forest 27 - NC State 23 Grrrrr + A Broken Windshield

Absolutely no excuse for losing to Wake Forest. Telecast nationally on ESPN's Thursday Night Football for everyone to see. Grrrrrrrrrrr. I have nothing else to say about that game.

Last night sucked for more than just a lost football game.

When we got to the stadium - this SUV was parked in my reserved parking spot. First time I've ever had to have someone towed from my parking spot.

When we got back to the parking lot after the game - some asshat had smashed in my windshield!

Campus Police and Wake County Sheriffs responded and took down the information. Of course, it's unlikely the cowardly piece of $#!T who did this will be tracked down. Law enforcement has more serious matters to attend to.

It could simply be a totally amazing coincidence that someone randomly picked my vehicle to vandalize out of all the cars in the parking lot. It may have absolutely nothing to do with the vehicle that was towed from my spot.

BTW - here's another photo of the car that was towed -

OK Karma - ball's in your court.

WTF?!?

Facebook (and others) track your browsing habits, purchasing habits and so on. And they tailor ads according to what you do.

So, just now, on Facebook - this showed up.

The table attachment for the Ozark canopy - yep, makes sense. I have one of those canopies for tailgating - the table attachment is a good idea.

But WTF is up with the other thing?

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Who stole our team and replaced them with these guys?

New coach; start of a complete program rebuild; wait a couple years and we could see results; picked to finish 14 (at best) out of 16 in the ACC; definitely a losing record this year (both ACC and overall); maybe, maybe win 3 or 4 ACC games. Maybe.

Here we are - with 2 ACC games to go -

20 - 9 overall; 10 - 6 ACC

ACC standings are Virginia (#1 in the country); Dook (#5), UNCheats (#9) and tied for 4th - NC State and Clemson (#18).

We've beat UNCheats, Dook, Clemson and have lost to UNCheats, Clemson and UVA. We've also beat Arizona when they were ranked #2 (currently #19).

I was kind of hoping we'd be good enough to go to the NIT - maybe get to see a couple more home games. Turns out, we're better than that.

Looks like we're going to the Big Dance instead.

2 regular season games to go - then the ACC Tournament - then seeding for the NCAA Tournament.

A lot can happen in the next couple of weeks.

This is my favorite time of year.

Dennis Smith Jr

Crooked Sports Agent Andy Miller, ASM Sports: "Hey Dennis, since you stiffed us and signed with another agent, we want you to repay that $75,000 loan we gave you back in High School."

Dennis Smith Jr.: "What loan?"

LOL


NCAA: "Hey NC State, since DSJr took money from Crooked Sports Agent Andy Miller in High School, you have to forfeit your 2016 - 2017 basketball season. (15 - 17 overall; 4 - 14 ACC)"

NC State Fans: "OK!"

ROFL


For the record - Here's NC State's letter to Andy Miller, ASM Sports back in 2012 telling him to [bleep] off and stay the Hell away from NC State and any of our coaches, staff, athletes or recruits.

NC State 95 @ #10 UNC 91 OT

Pretty

Power went out last night at 6. Came back on this morning right after 10:40.

Closed up all the bedroom doors, stayed in the living room and kept a fire going all night.

With a couple of blankets, sleeping on the couch was cozy.

WRAL says Moncure officially got 9-inches; Pittsboro 11-inches.

I measured in three places: 8 - 1/4+ inches.

Snow Day

Snow Day

Bird Feeders are Full

Big "Yule" Log in the Fireplace

I brought my work laptop and files home in anticipation of the weather. Getting some work done by the fire and looking out the window at the birds and the snow.

Not a bad way to spend a winter's day.

It's a Festivus Miracle

Dook

It's been a long time since I've written a blog entry.

Football

We won our bowl game easily. 9 - 4. A really good season. And only a couple of plays away from an 11 - 2 seasons.

We graduate just about our whole Defensive line (Bradley Chubb will be in the top 5 NFL draft and many think he'll be the No. 1 Pick!). But - we have a bunch of juniors who will step right up and we'll have another senior heavy line next year.

Our Offensive line will be caught up to our Defensive Line. We will have almost all seniors - and it's expected our OL will be even better than our DL.

It's a process. Coach DD has his program in place. About 20 recruits each year. Redshirt the Freshmen. Everybody gets playing at least some playing time as Red Shirt Freshman. Players develop right along and are top notch starters as Seniors with the occasional Junior.

Basketball

We play Dook tonight.

I'll be at every game - cheering on our team.

It's very possible we won't win a single ACC game. Probably will win a couple.

It's a process.

K2 will get us there. He's the solid coach we want and need - much like DD. The process will work - it'll take about 3 years in basketball to see the results.

I don't usually post about loses unless something special happens.

Like, maybe Grayson Allen will get an "accidental" elbow to his nose tonight. That would be well worth a Technical Foul.

It might be a long time till I post again.

Eight months till football.

Today is a Wonderful Day

SC State player Ty Solomon today (Sunday) with the EMTs who got his heart started after yesterday's cardiac arrest at the game with NC State.

"I am very thankful to have had this group of guys in my life. I’m feeling blessed these guys literally saved my life using CPR such a blessing and perfect timing thank you guys again."

Life

It was during a stoppage of play and both teams were huddled at their benches when the SC State kid just collapsed.

You knew immediately it was bad because in an instant there was frantic activity. And moments later the PA announced that any Doctors in attendance were needed at the SC State bench. At the same time the serious medical equipment was wheeled onto the court in a rush.

It's a very emotional and helpless feeling when you can't do anything and just have to sit helplessly and watch while they try to resuscitate a young man - kid, really.

CPR and AED's save lives.

After he was revived and taken to Rex Hospital, both teams went to their locker rooms to wait.

Obviously the game was going to be ended.

But, SC State wanted to wait and see how their player was doing. The entire arena essentially sat quietly and waited - and when it was learned the player was responding well - SC State wanted to continue the game.

Strong work by Wake County EMS! - Thanks folks. Awesome response, knowledge, training and professionalism that brought this kid back.

Grateful - but overall, I'll be fine with never seeing anything like this again.

NC State 103 - SC State 71

Bo Rein and the Navigators*

Exchanging Pre-Game Pleasantries

Wolfpack Nation is happy with 8 - 4 and quietly disgruntled we're not 10 - 2.

Folks, that is a great place to be.

It's been decades.

The last time NC State was in this position was the Bo Rein years. It was clear Bo was building a program and headed upward. The possibility of joining the big time programs was there.

Bo Rein had the advantage of inheriting a solid team from Lou Holtz. Dave Doeren had to start from scratch.

I hope it turns out this is the beginning of a 'program'. I hope it does NOT turn out with Doeren leaving for a bigger job and flying around in private airplanes.

(Amato felt more like a 'flash in the pan'. Plus - he recruited like Florida State. The guys he went after weren't exactly model citizens.  UNC went through the same thing with Bitch Davis.)

The game itself was nothing to write home about. State played a solid game and as usual, started slow - finished strong.

Carolina has an injury list that's almost two pages long. That's longer than a UNC term paper.

Give Carolina a lot of credit for making a game out of it. They had nothing to lose and played as hard as they could.

And there was a lot of UNC frustration that showed up. I don't know what was shown on TV - there were, by my count, 4 pretty good scuffles.

What you didn't get to see were the 'festivities' during warm ups - 40 minutes before the game. Some stuff started - and no one but the few assistant coaches and trainers on the field to try and keep things from getting out of hand. They had their hands full. LOL

Watching that was - Hmmm, this game could be interesting.

Football is a lot more fun when you've got a good team to cheer for.

*Bo Rein and the Navigators - local (crappy) Raleigh band from the early '80s.

Clemsoning

I don't need to recap yesterday's loss to Wake Forest.

This article covers everything that happened accurately and completely - Morning After Recap.

7 and 4 (probably 8 - 4 after next Saturday) is a record anyone would have taken back in August. As it is, We lost 2 games - where we won every statistic, by a LOT, but still lost the game. We truly lost to Wake Forest and South Carolina - they did not beat us. We should be 9 - 2 right now.

And we played Clemson evenly. You could say we lost that game as well. Missed field goals and overthrown wide open receivers - not to mention the most lopsided officiating I've seen in years. We had opportunities to win but didn't get the job done.

This is what Clemson used to be known for. Every year they'd lose a game there was no way they should have lost. Clemsoning.

I guess that's part of trying to build a program. It happened to Clemson and even Alabama before they got so good this sort of thing just didn't happen any more. It takes an over abundance of talent, fundamental coaching and great play calling.

We're not there yet.

I've said before - In a weird way, we're in a great place.

It's good to be able to complain about not being undefeated; not going to the ACC Championship Game; or even better (New Year's Six or National Champion Playoffs).

For decades these sort of possibilities were a pipe dream. This really could be our breakthrough year. If we keep on recruiting, coaching and getting better each year, we'll look back as see this year as when it all started to happen.

But today - I'm still pissed off about losing to South Carolina and now Wake Forest.

Clemsoning.

Clemson 38 - State 31

It was quite the atmosphere - the entire game.

Coach Steve Logan analyzes the game perfectly. Can't embed the Logan Zone - here's the link -

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/ncsu/video/17093040/

WRAL Agrees

WRAL must have read my previous blog entry.

They agree with me in an article from today.

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/-final-four-weekend-likely-to-decide-acc-division-champs/17074615/

https://bill-1956.blogspot.com/2017/10/this-weekend-will-determine-who-plays.html

This Weekend Will Determine Who Plays In The ACC Championship Game - Probably

Two games Saturday will determine who plays in the ACC Championship Game - Probably

#5 Clemson (5 - 1) at #19 NC State (4 - 0) 3:30 ABC

#13 Virginia Tech (3 - 1) at #6 Miami (5 - 0) 8:00 ABC

Atlantic Division

If State wins - undefeated in the Atlantic and everybody else has two losses. Barring catastrophe, State wins out and plays in the ACC Championship Game.

If Clemson wins - both Clemson and State have one Atlantic Division loss - Clemson has the tiebreaker over State. Both win out and Clemson plays in the ACC Championship Game.

Clemson favored by 7.

Coastal Division

If Miami wins - undefeated in the Coastal and everybody else has two losses. Miami wins out and plays in the ACC Championship Game.

If Virginia Tech wins - both Miami and VT have one Coastal Division loss - VT has the tiebreaker over Miami. Everybody else has two losses. VT wins out and plays in the ACC Championship Game.

VT favored by 2 points.


Of course, every team will still have conference games left to play. And the ACC is seriously wacky this year - so anything can happen.

But on paper - this weekend should decide the ACC Championship Game teams.

On paper.

Bottom Line - ACC National Championship Playoff spots and Orange Bowl spots are all on the line this weekend.

So, For what it's worth - You can take all this analysis and Five dollars and get yourself a Starbucks coffee.

We Could Really Screw Things Up +Addendum / Correction

Conventional wisdom has one of three ACC teams having a realistic opportunity to make the National Championship Playoffs - Clemson, Miami or Virginia Tech.

If Clemson wins out - including the ACC Championship game - they are pretty much a 1-loss shoo in.

Likewise, if VT wins out and the ACC Championship game - they are a 1-loss team in the National Championship Playoff.

If Miami beats VT and then wins the ACC Championship game - they are the undefeated shoo in.

All three would likely be the #4 seed playing Alabama.


NC State - if successful - can [bleep] it up for everybody.

Here's how -

We upset Clemson next Saturday (ABC 3:30 PM). We match up well with Clemson and it's very possible we could win. Odds are against it - but not overwhelming odds.

If that happens - and State wins out the regular season (not a given with Boston College and Wake Forest still to play) - NC State goes to the Orange Bowl. No matter what happens in the ACC Championship Game.

Clemson then has two losses - no invitation to the National Championship Playoffs.

Let's say we make it to the ACC Championship game. Winner automatically goes to the Orange Bowl - unless selected for the National Championship Playoff - in which case the runner up (loser) goes to the Orange Bowl.

If State wins the ACC Championship game - with 2 losses - would NOT be selected for the playoffs. We go to the Orange Bowl.

If State loses the ACC Championship - vs. VT or Miami - then VT / Miami goes to the National Championship playoffs as undefeated (Miami) or one loss (VT). State, again, goes to the Orange Bowl.

There is a possibility if State beats Miami in the ACC Championship game, Miami with only one loss might still get the #4 spot. But a loss that late in the season works against Miami with the Selection Committee.

On paper - Clemson should win out and play Miami / VT.

Of course, as a State fan - I want to win next weekend. I want to win the ACC Championship - but I'd be OK losing it - going to the Orange Bowl - and VT / Miami going to the National Championship.

We're not quite in the playoff league yet - as was shown in our loss to Notre Dame. But we're better than the ND score indicated. We're close - and hopefully - will keep getting better and closer each year.

NC State, Clemson, Virginia Tech and Miami all control their own destiny. Any loss and they can kiss the National Championship playoffs or Orange Bowl good bye.

Wow - it sure feels good to have State in that kind of situation. It's been a long, long time.

Correction

The first place ACC team goes to the Orange Bowl unless selected for the National Championship Playoffs. If selected then the next highest ranked team goes to the Orange Bowl. Not necessarily the ACC Championship Game loser.

I all likelihood - even if State wins out - Clemson, VT and Miami will still be ranked ahead of NC State.

So, if State goes to the ACC Championship game and wins - State goes to the Orange Bowl. And knocks all the other ACC teams out of the National Championship Playoffs. Except possibly Miami if only one loss (to State in the ACC Championship Game).

If State goes to the ACC Championship game and loses - the next highest ranked ACC team goes to the Orange Bowl. State goes to a lower bowl - probably the Sun Bowl. Yuck.

Again - each team - NC State, Clemson, Virginia Tech and Miami all control their own destiny. NC State can win it's way into the Orange. The rest can win their way to the National Championship Playoffs.

College football is way more fun than Pro football!

The Same, Only Better +HVAC Addendum

State and Notre Dame are amazingly alike.

Run first, pass second. Rely on defense. Smart quarterbacks. Essentially traditional style football teams.

Notre Dame is the better version.

Hines getting injured and out of the game was, as they say, a game changer. With that one key player missing, went from a run team to a passing team. Also, we lost two guys in the defensive line rotation - which was a big factor in Notre Dame being able to run so well as the game went on.

With all of that - we just couldn't get going in the second half.

I don't like excuses - but the ref's gave the interception and touchdown to ND. Everybody in the stadium and watching on TV saw the offsides, it wasn't even close. State had a free play and just tossed the ball out there to see if we could get some big yards - didn't expect the interception to matter since the play was coming back. And no flag.

Also, the fourth down try at the end zone was the correct call. Under the circumstances - I'd call that every time. We just didn't score. But, even if those two plays turned out the opposite - ND would still have won by a touchdown. Which is about what would should be expected.

Disappointing loss - but not a disappointing season. The program is progressing very nicely.

We'll be a solid underdog next week against Clemson. I hope we put up a better fight.

We'll see.

HVAC Addendum

Got home Friday and the Heat Pump was running - but no air blowing.

Hmmm - maybe a fan motor or switch?

Turns out - neither.

The contactor (on / off switch) on the heat pump fused shut (on). Very unusual. The compressor would run and run and run until the heat safety switch engaged (at around 300+ degrees) and would shut the compressor off. But - when it cooled enough - the contactor was fused 'on' and the compressor would turn on again. All day. When the repair guys took all the access panels off - you could see the heat waves radiating off the compressor.

I'm surprised it didn't fail. But - with a new contactor, cooled off compressor - it started running fine ($196).

I did get some good advice from the service guy.

My system is 18 years old - so I asked him his opinion about what to replace it with - assuming it would need replacement soon. Conventional wisdom is these things last 15 years typically - 20 tops.

First, he said my particular heat pump was one of the better models when it was installed. Very heavy duty.

Also - the SEER rating, which was at the very best available then - is only improved by new ones with DC pumps and DC motors. He said the actual compressor unit in my system was one of the better designs and as efficient as new ones.

Also - the controllers are all electro-mechanical. Which means they are heavy duty an easily replaced (like the contactor) vs. control 'boards'.

His recommendation - don't get a new system - just keep repairing this one.

He said the worst thing that will happen is the compressor will fail - a replacement will cost me about $1,500 to $2,000. Way less than a whole new HVAC 'system' at Ten grand or way more (depending on what all would be replaced).

He said all the components in my system were top quality when installed and could even possibly outlast me. LOL

Bottom line - just replace parts as they wear out.

I guess that will work for both the Heat Pump and me.

:-)

Hard To Believe +Addendum

I can't believe what I'm going to say. In fact - it's probably better to say I can't believe NC State Football is in a position for me to say what I'm going to say.

We're overrated.

We're number 14 in the AP Poll that just came out.

I don't think we're the 14th best team in the country.

We're composed of 1, 2, 3 and a couple 4 star recruits.

We have one of the best (very possibly the best) coaching staffs in the country able to take these level recruits and develope them into a top competitive football team. We have about 5 or 6, possibly more, guys who will end up in the NFL. Those are the numbers you see from top echelon football schools. Normally, State would have 1 or maybe 2.

Why over-ranked?

Because those very same top echelon schools get the 3, 4 and 5 star recruits. If you're Ohio State, Alabama, Penn State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Michigan, Florida State, Southern Cal, Texas and so on - recruits come to you. At schools like NC State - we have to go after the recruits.

So - these teams start with a natural advantage. Their kids are a step quicker, bigger, talented and just better to start with.

These are the teams that populate the top 15 spots year after year.

Sometimes these teams drop down a bit (Clemson, FSU, Nebraska). And schools playing at the top of their ability, like NC State, occupy some of those top 15 positions.

But - let's be real.

We play at Notre Dame next Saturday. Notre Dame is ranked right about where they should be - number 9. Yes - Notre Dame is a top 10 team.

We could win close, lose close or lose BIG. What won't happen is NC State winning in a blowout over Notre Dame.

As long as we play well - which we will - I don't care. I'm beyond happy with this team win or lose.

And looking down the road - next comes Clemson. And afterwards we have to play one of the best teams no one is talking about - Wake Forest. And Boston College is getting much better and could give us trouble.

A top 10 or 15 school would not be overly concerned with that schedule. Yes - a top 10 or 15 school had better not have a let down playing them - but winning should be pretty much a given.

Not with NC State. We can't let our guard down or overlook anybody left on the schedule. Including UNCheats. We have to bring our A game every Saturday.

And that - is why I believe we're now officially overrated.

I think we're legitimately one of the best 20 to 25 schools. Which, hopefully, we can build on - land more and more 3, 4 and 5 star recruits - and someday be a top 10 or 15 school.

We'll see what happens.

#14 NC State @ #9 Notre Dame. Saturday. 3:30 PM. NBC


Addendum

ESPN Football Power Index is a reliable, realistic team ranking:

http://www.espn.com/college-football/statistics/teamratings

Notre Dame ranked 5; NC State ranked 17. That's probably more like it.

Final Numbers

splint + x-ray + ibuprofen = $2,262.16

From my emergency room visit back in July, the final insurance payments and billings have all been processed.

Here's the final tally -

Emergency Room $1,893.16 - $1,127.76 (BC/BS Payment) = $765.40 (Bill's Payment)

Emergency Room Doctor $330.00 - $183.64 (BC/BS Payment) = $146.36 (Bill's Payment)

Emergency Room X-Ray $39.00 - $14.29 (BC/BS Payment) = $24.71 (Bill's Payment)

Total Charges = $2,262.16

Bill's Total Out of Pocket = $936.47

Plus  there were the follow up visits with the Orthopaedic Doctor and my General Practitioner.

The NC State Health Plan does follow up calls (Health Smart) to monitor what's going on. And to give health / life coaching and such. In my case, the life coaching is lose weight and stop being a fat ass.

But, I digress.

The Health Smart people agreed with the Orthopaedic Doctor. Generally speaking, don't go to the emergency room unless it's a life threatening issue.

If it's during the day - call your doctor and go there. If after hours or weekends - Go to an After Hours Clinic (Doc-In-A-Box).

Per BC/BS Health Smart - going to a Clinic would have limited my out of pocket to $100.00 plus copays for the splint and x-ray and meds. Total would have been well under $150.

And the charges to BC/BS would likely have been around $300 - $400 for a typical DIAB visit.

Live and learn.

Football

I hope this year isn't just a one hit wonder - but the start of a solid, clean, winning program.

Coach Doeren, the program and the team feels right.

This week is a bye week. Then @Notre Dame and back home for Clemson. Win or lose, it's great expecting we'll be competitive with both teams.