2011 NC State Wolfpack Football Preview

Most figured that Tom O’Brien would be better than 25-25 after four years on the job at North Carolina State. After struggling to settle on an offensive philosophy and to capitalize on the talent on hand, O’Brien finally had a bit of breakthrough in 2010, finishing 9-4 and winning a bowl game over West Virginia. The bad news is, much of last season’s success was built upon the incredible athleticism of quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson did it all for the Wolfpack in 2010 and due to a disagreement with the coaches about his participation in spring practice while he pursued his baseball career, he will not suit up in Raleigh this year. That leaves O’Brien with a major hole to fill if he hopes to match last season’s successful campaign.

It’s hard to overstate just how important Russell Wilson was to the Wolfpack offense in 2010. His ability to throw the ball accurately and make plays running the football made everyone else on the offense more dangerous. Wilson passed for 3,563 yards and 22 touchdowns while also rushing for 667 yards and nine more touchdowns. All of that offensive production is now gone and in steps junior Mike Glennon. Glennon is not nearly the dual threat weapon that Wilson was, so the very nature of the Wolfpack offense will change. This means much more of the running game will fall on the shoulders of Mustafa Greene. Greene essentially split carries with Wilson last season and averaged over four yards per carry. They’ll need at least that much production from him in 2011. The rushing attack should benefit from an offensive line that returns three of five starters and several more with appreciable game experience.

As if losing Wilson wasn’t enough, the Wolfpack must also replace his main targets. Three of the team’s four leading receivers from last year are gone. Tight end George Bryan had 35 receptions and three touchdowns and is a reliable safety valve type of receiver for Wilson. Glennon’s most reliable weapon at receiver is senior TJ Graham. Graham isn’t a burner, but might be a better fit for the more tradition offense that NC State will move to with Glennon at quarterback. There will be opportunities for underclassmen to grab early playing time if the replacements falter early.

While O’Brien has plenty to worry about in replacing Russell Wilson, he should feel good about his defense. Eight starters return from last year’s talented unit. The defensive line will be strong, led by defensive tackle J.R. Sweezy, who recorded six sacks and six hurries in 2010. The pass rush will come from senior Jeff Rieskamp, who recorded just two sacks last season but hurried the quarterback a whopping 17 times. They’ll need a steady pass rusher and those two can deliver it. The linebackers should also be a strength as both senior Audie Cole and junior Terrell Manning return. Manning is solid against the run but is a terrific pass rusher from the edge, recording six sacks in 2010.

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O’Brien will once again feel free to turn his linebackers lose on the quarterback because he returns all of very good secondary. David Amerson and C.J. Wilson are a very good set of cover corners that both took their lumps last season and now are primed for a big 2011 season. They combined for 11 pass break ups in 2010. Earl Wolff is a fearless strong safety that actually finished third on the team in tackles last season. He provides great run support but is no liability in coverage either. Brandon Bishop is a ball-hawking free safety that recorded four interceptions last season. This is as good a secondary as there is in the ACC and O’Brien won’t shy away from using it.

The schedule offers the Wolfpack a chance to ease into the Glennon era at quarterback. Opening matchups with Liberty, Wake Forest, and South Alabama will give them time to get the kinks worked out before heading to Cincinnati to take on the Bearcats. The conference schedule is back loaded, but manageable. The Wolfpack travel to Florida State and then come home to face North Carolina. The final home stretch against Clemson and Maryland will determine if they Wolfpack will have any chance of matching last season’s win total.