There's no bowl game to play for anymore, but expecting any Tom O'Brien team to come out giving less than its best is a losing proposition. That alone should be enough to get the attention of Virginia Tech this weekend.
The attitude of O'Brien and the coaching staff explains why the talk in Raleigh this week hasn't been about 2010, playing the young guys and benching the vets. There are still goals along the way over these final two games, even if they involve things like "finishing .500" and "going out on a winning note" instead of "winning the ACC," which is what everyone was hoping for two months ago.
But O'Brien is known for his discipline and focus, and by all accounts his team appears honed in on this week's game with Virginia Tech with the same focus it would have if there was a lot more at stake.
It's an easy decision for O'Brien, in part because the seniors are playing some of their best football of their careers. Clem Johnson is a rock of stability in the secondary, and the defensive line is helping to keep the defense from being totally abysmal. Besides, given the injury situation the team has been dealing with since the summer, O'Brien has already played most of the intriguing young guys anyway.
There's no result that can keep 2009 from being a disappointment. But a strong finish can at least reduce some of the bitter taste heading into the offseason.
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North Carolina State Wolfpack
