2008 NC State Football Predictions

The Pack didn't seem to buy into head coach Tom O'Brien's system until midway through the season when they rattled off four straight victories. Improvement should be on the way in year two, but the Pack may not have more wins to show for it because of a rougher schedule. Jimmy Boyd sorts out all the ins and outs of the Pack for you in his 2008 N.C. State Wolf Pack predictions and season preview.
 

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Offense

First on Tom O'Brien's list is finding a starting quarterback. He has five to choose from, including last season's starter Daniel Evans, who is coming off offseason shoulder surgery. Redshirt freshman Russell Wilson impressed in the spring. Harrison Beck and Justin Burke have both shown glimpses of what it takes to be a successful D-1 QB, but neither is yet to pull away from the others. Mike Glennon, a 6'6'' freshman, looks to be the QB of the future but likely won't get the nod this season. The Wolf Pack should have a solid running attack to help out their QB situation. Tailback Jamelle Eugene can run and catch. He's a player O'Brien is going to want to use like the Philadephia Eagles' Brian Westbrook. Wide Receiver Donald Bowens has big play ability and tight end Anthony Hill was the Pack's leading receiver two years ago. O'Brien has moved two defensive players to the offensive line to get tougher up front and both could end up starting.

Defense

The Wolf Pack lost seven starters off of a defensive unit which allowed 28.3 points per game and was the worst in the ACC against the run. Despite the loss of so many starters O'Brien expects better play from this side of the ball as he chalks up a lot of last year's deficiencies to missed assignments and missed tackles. Willie Young and Markus Kuhn give N.C. State a pair of bulls at the defensive end spots. Alan-Michael Cash in a strong tackle on the inside. The secondary, which ranked a respectable 28th in the nation in defending the pass, is the strength of this unit. Corners DeAndre Morgan, Jeremy Gray, and J.C. Neal will see significant time. Strong safety Javon Walker appeared to be a star before suffering a knee injury. The big hitting safety will be back at the spot in 2008. The linebacker corps will feature three new starters and will be the weakness of the unit.

Special Teams

Place kicker Steven Hauschka was money last season, connecting on 16 of 18 field goal attempts and all 25 PAT's. Josh Czajkowski has the leg to replace him, but will he have the accuracy? The Pack would like to get more distance and hang time on a more consistent basis from punter Bradley Pierson. His role will be huge as he needs to give his defense a lot of field to work with.

Prediction – 6th ACC Atlantic

Someone has got to bring up the rear and few will argue with me that it will be N.C. State in a tough Atlantic Division which could boast as many as five bowl teams. A tough schedule which has the Wolf Pack going to South Carolina in week one and to Clemson in week three will get them off to a poor start.  This team will most likely finish below Maryland and Boston College.

Beating the college football odds is easy when you have world champion NCAA football handicapper Jimmy Boyd calling the shots for you. Jimmy has never endured a losing season and he's not about to start now. Play with the best in the biz in 2008 and win guaranteed!

July 7th, 2008