A pivotal year for the Wolfpack program kicks off this weekend when State takes on Western Carolina.
For the sake of everyone on the coaching staff in particular, it's important for State to start off strong. With a new athletic director one with ACC experience, as Debbie Yow left the University of Maryland to come to Raleigh Tom O'Brien would be greatly helped by staying in ACC title contention as long as possible and making a bowl game. And to do that, he'll need to avoid the slow start that has plagued the team under each of his first three seasons.
However, there are some trends working in his favor.
For starters, the Wolfpack haven't had the crushingly bad luck with injuries that always seem to plague the team. Nate Irving is back to anchor the defense after missing all of 2009, and most of the other key players are ready to go to start the season. Given NSCU's recent luck, that could change in a hurry, but as of right now this is a reasonably healthy team.
It also has one of the best signal-callers in the league. Russell Wilson was All-ACC as a freshman two years ago, and can beat opponents with his feet and his arm. Mike Glennon may be the best backup in the league, and Owen Spencer is a more than capable No. 1 wideout.
Of course, there are also things to be sorted out heading into the Western Carolina game and in the coming weeks.
The backfield is a mess, with no clear No. 1 option. The offensive line is still gelling, and the defense looking to rebound from a brutal 2009. But all in all, there's reason to be optimistic that this is the year O'Brien really begins to turn things around.
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North Carolina State Wolfpack
