North Carolina State Wolfpack football fans will have plenty of opportunities to see their team play this season, as their 2013 schedule includes eight games in Carter-Finley Stadium and two others in the state of North Carolina. The Wolfpack will also compete against all four of the other Division I schools in the state of North Carolina for the first time since 2008. Their full schedule s listed below, but first lets preview the 2013 NC State Wolfpack squad.
Dave Doeren is one of the rising coaching stars and NC State now has him. He came over from Northern Illinois, where he guided the Huskies to a 23-4 mark the last 2 years, while taking them to the Orange Bowl last year. NC State is looking for similar results from him here. His first year may be tough with just 10 starters returning.
QB Mike Glennon must be replaced this year and it looks as if Colorado State transfer, Pete Thomas will be taking over. Pete threw for 4269 yards in 2 years at CSU. Pete does have a big arm and the WR Corps will need to step up their play. Bryan Underwood and Quinton Payton did combine for 95 cards and 12 TD's a year ago. The running game will have their top 2 RB's back from a year ago and that should help them improve on the 111 ypg on the ground they put up last year. The OL though is a question mark as just 2 return from this group, while overall they have just 42 career starts returning along the OL. The Skill players have plenty of potential and talent, but if the OL faulters then it won't make a difference.
The Offense may be improved, but the defense has allot of work to do. Just 5 starters back from a team that allowed 25.6 ppg and 405 ypg last year. The DL is not a weakness of this unit as they return all 4 starters from last year. The 4 starters combined for 36.5 tackles for loss and 18.5 sacks a season ago. Beyond the DL is where the questions begin. The LB and defensive backfield must be totally rebuilt and their isn't much talent there at all as Phil Steele ranks their LB corps 13th in the ACC and their DB's 12th in the ACC. The DL can't do it alone and without much good talent behind that group this unit will struggle once again.
The Offense should be improved over last year, as long as new QB Pete Thomas steps in and produces and as long as the OL gels quickly. I know that's a couple of big ifs, but I do expect Thomas to at least live up to his billing. On defense, the line will be very solid, but the back 7 is low on talent and will struggle big time this year. I see anywhere between 5 and 7 wins for this team, a 5th place finish in the Atlantic and possibly a bowl bid this year. Key Trends: 10-1 ATS as road dogs of 3 or more with revenge... 1-12 ATS as conference favs of 4 or more off a SU win... 0-8 ATS last 8 games vs Wake Forest.
2013 NC State Schedule
Aug. 31 vs. Louisiana Tech
Sept. 7 vs. Richmond
Sept. 19 vs. Clemson (ESPN Thursday night)
Sept. 28 vs. Central Michigan
Oct. 5 at Wake Forest
Oct. 12 vs. Syracuse
Oct. 26 at Florida State
Nov. 2 vs. North Carolina
Nov. 9 at Duke
Nov. 16 at Boston College
Nov. 23 vs. East Carolina
Nov. 30 vs. Maryland
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