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2009 NC State College Football Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on July 22, 2009

ncstate 72209 After getting off to a poor 2-6 start in 2008, the Wolf Pack won their final four regular season games to earn a spot in the Papajohns.com Bowl. Can NC State carry that momentum into this season as they go after an ACC title? Find out where I have them finishing in the Atlantic Division in this college football predictions preview. North Carolina State is listed at +750 to win the 2009 ACC title.

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Offense – The Wolf Pack averaged 31.8 points per game during their four-game win streak to close out the regular season. I expect to see that kind of production all season long with all the weapons they bring back. Russell Wilson earned First-team All-ACC quarterback honors as a freshman. He threw for 1,955 yards and 17 touchdowns against only 1 interception. His 17 touchdown strikes led the league and the fact that he threw just one interception tells his coaches and his teammates that he can be trusted to make the right decision when the heat is on. Wilson will have the luxury of throwing the pigskin to returning starters Jarvis Williams and Owen Spencer. Spencer is the team’s top returning receiver, hauling in 31 passes for nearly 700 yards and five scores last season. Three offensive lineman return, including talented right tackle Jeraill McCuller, and so does tight end George Bryan. They will be creating holes for Jamelle Eugene and Toney Baker. Eugene rushed for 442 yards and two scores on 92 carries last season.

Defense – The Wolf Pack should be solid up front and that’s why I see them building on the success that was started late last season. Three of four starting defensive linemen are back and all four projected starters this season are seniors. The team is expecting big things from defensive end Willie Young, who decided to wait on the NFL. He is coming off a 6.5 sack campaign in 2008. The linebacker corps will be strong as well with a pair of starters coming back. Nate Irving is the heart and soul of the defense with his rare combination of speed and power. Plain and simple, this guy hits like a ton of bricks and he showed off his athletic ability by picking off four passes. NC State lost all three of the games he missed last season so that just goes to show you how valuable he is. Ray Michel is back at middle linebacker following a solid 85-tackle season. The cornerback slots are in good hands with returner DeAndre Morgan and Dominique Ellis, but the safety position could be a hole. Senior Clem Johnson has some experience, but he needs to shake the injury bug. Let’s put it this way, the rest of the guys there aren’t going to scare too many people.

Prediction: 2nd ACC Atlantic - With a talented crop of skill players coming back and a strong front seven on defense, the Wolf Pack should challenge for an ACC Atlantic Division title. NC State is listed at +250 to win the ACC Atlantic.

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