Breaking down N.C. State
Greetings-
J.P. Giglio of the Raleigh News & Observer was kind enough to answer a few questions about N.C. State. Some good stuff in here; you should definitely give it a read. You can read his work on the News & Observer blog and you can follow him on Twitter. I am going to try to get something up in the afternoon with a few points about the game. Thanks for reading.
1) Is the N.C. State running game really that bad?
Yes.
They miss Mustafa Greene, who hurt his foot in spring practice, and hasn’t played yet. James Washington is undersized and Curtis Underwood fumbles too much. Just by the eye test, I’d say redshirt freshman Tony Creecy is the best athlete of the group but the coaches haven’t given him much of a chance yet, either because of a lingering foot injury or his inability to grasp the playbook. I think Creecy will get a look with Underwood out with a knee injury.
2) Coaches at Tech have been talking about the challenge of defending Mike Glennon and his rocket arm. Do they have reason to be so concerned?
Yes.
Glennon is good and he has been able to make big plays with receivers T.J. Graham and Tobais Palmer. Glennon obviously not Russell Wilson, though, so the protection in front of him has been an issue (see: putrid running game) as has been his ability to use the whole field, and not just hit home runs (five of his 10 touchdown passes have been 60 yards or longer).
3) Who’s a player with an interesting background or story?
Graham’s dad, Trevor, was at the center of the BALCO scandal with Marion Jones and other defrocked track stars.
Glennon’s brother Sean was a punching bag for the Virginia Tech fan base, despite being a productive player.
Defensive tackle Markus Kuhn and kicker Niklas Sade were both born in Germany.
4) There were high hopes for this team in August. What’s happened since then, and can the season be saved?
The injuries, particularly to Greene and defensive tackle J.R. Sweezy, have crippled them. The healthy defenders have been terrible, out of position or both. A pair of I-A teams they beat last year, 30-19 (Cincinnati) and 38-3 (Wake Forest), have beaten them 44-14 and 34-27 this year.
There are eight games left and Tom O’Brien has turned them around from worse before, but if you look at the schedule, there aren’t many obvious wins (Central Michigan is about it) out there. It would take a team-wide epiphany to get to seven wins and another bowl game.
5) How would you assess Tom O’Brien’s job security?
Pretty good, not great, but not DefCon2, either. O’Brien went 9-4 last season, which is actually tied for the second-most wins in school history, and the team ended up in the AP rankings for the first time since Philip Rivers‘ junior year, so he does have some margin of error. He also has another four years on his contract. The school just bought out the basketball coach (who’s on the books for another two years) and is still paying the former AD, so financially, it doesn’t make a ton of sense to make a change after one bad season.
6) Where should Tech fans in town for the game go to eat?
There’s no equivalent of the Varsity in Raleigh but near campus, Mitch’s and Porter’s are both good (and vastly different) spots and downtown you can’t go wrong with the Raleigh Times (good beer) or Tobacco Road Sports Cafe (will have all the games on TV).
Links
You should definitely read Michael Cunningham’s story on Tyler Melton.
N.C. State defensive tackle J.R. Sweezy, who has yet to play this season, is listed as questionable in a hopeful development for the dinged-up Wolfpack in a News & Observer report from J.P. Giglio himself.
It would have been better had I posted this Thursday afternoon, but, still, an update from Michael Carvell on Tech prospect Josh Manley of Milton High, who gives an admirable reason for why he hasn’t been able to make a visit to a game at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Thanks for reading. Please follow me on Facebook and Twitter.
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134 comments Add your comment
ccrider
September 30th, 2011
11:40 am
Folks, Paul Johnson will implement a steady stream of running plays to start, using time and keeping the N.C State defense on the field, wearing them down because of their lack of depth! Groh will have the defense covering deep, giving up short and medium throws with an occasional blitz to disrupt thier timing.
Tech will build a modest lead by halftime of say 28 -14
The third quarter will begin the same and suddenly Tech will unleash the passing game and the all out blitz package and cruise to a 56-21 win
BigTimeTechFan
September 30th, 2011
12:14 pm
One NC State fans said they needed to turnovers by Tech to win, two Tech player buses turnover on the way to the game.
Pretty funny stuff.
Jackets 2011
September 30th, 2011
12:38 pm
It is about team folks.
Team defense.
The players are not going to read this.
Nor will the coaches.
No need to call out players for bad plays.
Unless you were going to do it for the whole game and compliment the same player on good plays.
Plus you may have coverage responsibilities on a particular play wrong.
I usually agree with 51-50 but not about that.
Gr8 2B aFuzzyB
September 30th, 2011
12:47 pm
It is a road game so cautious optimism is at play. But I would love it if Melton got another TD, Simms went off with a 100+ yd day, Zenon gets well into the mix, ju Moore reaches the goal line at least once, a defensive or special teams score would be nice, and a fair amount of playing time for Synjyn. What a day that would be!
Hayseed Dixie
September 30th, 2011
12:54 pm
I love posters who say “we need to focus” or “we don’t need to get too overconfident!”.
I’d like to remind you that none of us puts on a Georgia Institue of Technology jersey or headset.
The *only* way we can affect the game:
1) Give to the Tech fund. Buy season tickets.
2) Go to every game you can. Bring friends.
3) Get loud during defensive series. Every one.
4) Be hospitable to visiting teams/fans.
THAT’S IT. THE END. People thinking they affect a team in any manner other than the ones I described above need to get over themselves. Delusions of the first degree. This is sports talk, it’s supposed to be fun.
Wolfpack Coach O’Brien was on Barnhart and Durham this morning and I couldn’t believe my ears: he sounded like he’d already given up. Like Doc Holliday had already walked over his grave. Very solemn and making excuses.
I know it doesn’t sound sexy, but their line is depleted. Football is a lot more fundamental than folks would like to believe. Tech is as disciplined as they’ve been since the turn of the century, and they’re gonna Roll.
Tech Troll 13
September 30th, 2011
1:04 pm
NC State is not as bad as they have looked. Both losses were on the road. Teams play better at home. I believe we win, but it will be close through halftime and then we pull away in the 2nd half to win by 10-14 points. Let’s get a win and move on.
GIVE ME A BREAK
September 30th, 2011
1:07 pm
Easy Dixie, as a Tech fan and supporter, I like to say “we.” That makes me feel like part of the team. Agree with everything else you said and I support in everyway I can. ‘ ROLL JACKETS “
Idiot Savant
September 30th, 2011
1:17 pm
@Hayseed Dixie
If I didn’t wear my special underwear for every game, we’d be 0-4 right now. I screwed up last year and let the wife wash them. That’ll never happen again!
GIVE ME A BREAK
September 30th, 2011
1:23 pm
We got this one.
GIVE ME A BREAK
September 30th, 2011
1:27 pm
Savant, are you the one in the stands that no one will sit near?
how2fish
September 30th, 2011
1:34 pm
Well good luck this coming week, this is a pretty bad NC St team, and focus will be needed. But I see Tech winning pretty big.
Hayseed Dixie
September 30th, 2011
1:39 pm
@GIVE ME A BREAK
Oh, man, I wasn’t singling you out at all. In fact I hadn’t read anything you’d written so far. Just folks in general with this magical thinking that they can affect ballgames with words they write on a blog comment section.
Delbert D.
September 30th, 2011
1:58 pm
Hayseed Dixie – I can’t affect the game through my TV, that’s for sure. I e-mailed D-Rad earlier this week with a couple of ideas to get more seats filled. I may be able to put myself in one of those seats, depending. I sure as heck can’t do #1 on your list.
Athens, we have a problem...
September 30th, 2011
2:14 pm
We all secretly want to be CPJ – at least for a few series of downs.
Tomorrow is the first game I haven’t attended this year. Safe travels to anyone making the trip to Raleigh!
Hayseed – you got it right, brother.
Cmon man
September 30th, 2011
2:26 pm
Tech fans let me ask you a question. We all know about cpj’s policy on visits once you commit to tech but is that for official visits only or unofficials as well? The reason I am asking is because I read on another board that the kid kallon was supposed to visit uga this wkend but he cant make it but he is trying to get to the next home game if they invite him back. Does this go against the rules cpj has in place?
DS_CE91
September 30th, 2011
2:36 pm
Weird to read all the confident posts on this blog…… makes me a little nervous, to tell the truth.
GO JACKETS!!
T3
September 30th, 2011
2:37 pm
If NCST doesnt have all of their injured players back for tomorrow, this will be ugly.
PREDICTION:
End of 2nd Qtr: GT: 35 NCST: 3
End of 3rd Qtr: GT: 56 NCST: 10
End of Game: GT: 63 NCST: 17
NCST’s new Head Coach in 2012 will be RichRod or Tommy Tuberville.
Burdell
September 30th, 2011
2:39 pm
Cmon man…stirring that pot…
Hayseed…I do all 4 and occasionally use the inclusive plural…I feel it is my right having completed #s 1-4.
GO JACKETS!!!
GIVE ME A BREAK
September 30th, 2011
2:47 pm
Dixie ,cool. I want to see Tech put up some big numbers, can’t believe how many stats GT leads the nation in.
GIVE ME A BREAK
September 30th, 2011
2:51 pm
Cmon man, I ‘d like to read that for myself. Kallon is solid on GT.
GIVE ME A BREAK
September 30th, 2011
2:59 pm
Burdell, I also covered #s 1-4. I’m going to start working on getting to away games.
The Truth
September 30th, 2011
3:00 pm
This game will be over by the end of the 3rd qtr.
Delbert D.
September 30th, 2011
3:02 pm
Enter your comments here
GIVE ME A BREAK
September 30th, 2011
3:05 pm
I think it’s over after 2, but I hope CPJ leaves the starters in until after the 3rd. Love those stats.
Cmon man
September 30th, 2011
3:05 pm
@burdell im not stirring anything its a simple question if you know the answer to the question fine if not shut up!
@give me a break I read it on georgia’s page on 247sports.com its a paysite so I doubt I can share the link but I will try
GIVE ME A BREAK
September 30th, 2011
3:15 pm
He’s getting more offers since he committed to GT. First year playing football and just moved from London. Hope he stays with us.
DawginLex
September 30th, 2011
3:15 pm
No way they fire o’Brien after going 9-4 one year prior.
He made the call on Wilson/glennon because he didn’t want divided loyalties. Your own coach does the same thing.
He will get another year to get it back.
Golden Tornado
September 30th, 2011
3:15 pm
There are a lot of good blogs predicting our score this week, most of them pretty optimistic. However, the facts that keep nagging me are: NC State will be burning to erase last week’s loss; they’re at home; they have a decent passer.
GIVE ME A BREAK
September 30th, 2011
3:21 pm
Tornado, it looks like NCST will be doing a lot of passing and very little rushing. I hope Al has it all figured out.
Hayseed Dixie
September 30th, 2011
3:36 pm
@Burdell.
No, you’re right. There’s nothing wrong with saying “We”.
Saying “We need to get the ball to (this guy)” or “We need to run this scheme” is fine, you’re talking about football.
But this “we need to be cautious!” “we can’t get overconfident!” is just so ridiculous to me. We’re not talking trash on a NC State blog.
@Delbert D.
Get you a Maryland ticket online. Use the promo code: THANKYOU. I’ll save you a beer or two.
@DawginLex
What’s yer prediction Florida/Bama?
Ol'JacketFan
September 30th, 2011
3:45 pm
After reading a bunch on all the issues NCSU has on both sides of the ball I feel good about a Tech win. As some have posted I too think Tech will run the ball more than we’ve seen, no sense giving Glennon time to get into a groove. Defensively I look for improvement as this has been the m.o. as the season has gone along. Take care of business and enjoy a winning Saturday!
Go Jackets!
Ol'JacketFan
September 30th, 2011
3:45 pm
I see the filters are still swallowing posts
Ol'JacketFan
September 30th, 2011
3:47 pm
Ken, what in the world is going on with the blog filters??????
Hayseed Dixie
September 30th, 2011
3:48 pm
@Burdell
Nothing wrong with using the “We”.
@Delebert D.
Get you a Maryland ticket online. Use the promo code: THANKYOU. Should save you some scratch. I’ll save you a couple beers.
@DawginLex
Who you got in Flordia vs. Bama?
Burdell
September 30th, 2011
3:48 pm
Yeah…I’d love to get to more away games…last non-BDS game was 2009 Tampa for the ACCCG. But I have two little kids (1 and 4 y.o.) and don’t really have an overnight babysitter that I can afford…$15/hr + $100 for sleeping in my bed doesn’t cut it!!
Anon
September 30th, 2011
3:53 pm
Ken, what is up with Marcus Wright? Tech site/roster says he is healthy, but no updates.
Ol'JacketFan
September 30th, 2011
3:53 pm
@Burdell, dang that’s spendy! No family to leave the little ones with? I remember being in that situtation and that what garndmothers are for
Ol'JacketFan
September 30th, 2011
3:56 pm
or should I say grandmothers! dang typo!
DawginLex
September 30th, 2011
3:57 pm
Bama 24-16
Florida will have to throw downfield and they don’t have much success there. They rely on speed to run the ball and Bama will shut that down.
Relying on Brantley to beat Bama is scary.
I say Bama wins
Buzzsaw
September 30th, 2011
3:58 pm
Cmon man –
That happened with Tre Jackson but it wasn’t as simple as it sounds. See the following article for a better understanding:
http://blogs.ajc.com/recruiting/2011/01/27/georgia-tech-coach-paul-johnson-revokes-scholarship-of-longtime-commitment-tre-jackson-of-wayne-county-high/
There was a difinite lack of communication and the visit happened very close to signing day. I am not sure if CPJ had additional scholarships or if the scholarship was used for another athlete. I would think each situation would be handled differently but it would be impossible for me, or anyone, to speculate about CPJ’s feelings on this issue.
Ol'JacketFan
September 30th, 2011
4:01 pm
@DawginLex, I think you’re right. Nobody’s been able to run on Bama and I’m thinking the tandem of Rainey & Demps, while fast, won’t be able to do it either and I really don’t think Charley Weis can out scheme Saban. Tide rolls.
T3
September 30th, 2011
4:01 pm
Tom O’Brien’s Record at NCST:
2007: 5-7
2008: 6-7
2009: 5-7
2010: 9-4
2011: 2-2..so far, with the rest of the 2011 schedule:
vs. GT (Definite Loss)
vs. Central Michigan (Win, maybe)
at UVA (Loss)
at FSU (Definite Loss)
vs. UNC (Definite Loss)
at BC (Win, Maybe)
vs. Clemson (Definite Loss)
vs. Maryland (Win, Maybe)
Thats at least 4 Definite Losses, 1 Probable loss.
So, 5-7, if he’s lucky. That would be 4 of 5 years with losing records.
Yep, he’s done.
GT93
September 30th, 2011
4:11 pm
Cheering loud for the Jackets and the Bulldogs this weekend (the other ones)
BigTimeTechFan
September 30th, 2011
4:32 pm
Kallon:
“I am committed to Georgia Tech, but I really like Vanderbilt as well. I am going to take official visits to Vanderbilt, Alabama and some other schools. I’m not sure yet where I’ll go on my other visits.”
T3
September 30th, 2011
4:50 pm
Bama vs. Florida
Saban vs Weiss
Pyscho Disorder vs. Eating Disorder
T3
September 30th, 2011
4:52 pm
How does a player RESPECT a coach……
who doesnt have the SELF-DISCIPLNE or SELF-RESPECT
to maintain THEIR OWN personal health.
Hayseed Dixie
September 30th, 2011
4:55 pm
It’s almost universal, the sentiment of Bama over Florida. I can’t help but think that Florida had this date circled a little bolder than the Tide.
Weis’ll have some surprises that’ll make for an exciting game, but as coach says, “physical superiority cancels all theories.”
Best part of the year, in my opinion. We know who everyone is pretty much, but nothing is set in stone.
To he'll with Georgia
September 30th, 2011
4:55 pm
I’m thinking that groh will tighten down the defense for this one. Praying that kickoffs are a lot Better. Offense puts up 42 and maybe we might see a good kick return for a td.
Gooooooooooooooooo jackets, Sting em
To he'll with Georgia
September 30th, 2011
5:00 pm
What’s the good word.
19
September 30th, 2011
5:22 pm
THWG!