Our take on N.C. State at South Carolina

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Our take on N.C. State at South Carolina

Aug 28, 2008

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What an opener for N.C. State - at South Carolina Thursday on national television.

WRAL and The Fan will have extensive reports from Columbia, S.C.

The Fan is live from Columbia starting Thursday at 3 p.m. and again Friday at 6 a.m.

Turn to WRAL.com at 4:30 p.m. Thursday for a live report as Ken Medlin of WRAL and Mike Maniscalco of The Fan give you the flavor of the day.

Jeff Gravley gives you the update on television at 6 and 11.

There will be extensive reports on WRAL.com after the game, with extra video and a breakdown of the contest with Gravley and Mark Thomas of The Fan.

With kickoff looming, here's what some of our coverage team anticipates:

Jeff Gravley, WRAL Sports

Without preseason games, like in the NFL, and with practices and scrimmages closed to the media, first games of the college season are usually filled with question marks. The N.C. State-South Carolina match-up has plenty of unknowns.

How will Russell Wilson respond in his first college start at quarterback? Is South Carolina quarterback Tommy Beecher ready for his first start? Beecher has the edge with 25 college passes but is he better than Wilson? Expect to see Wilson in a Tim Tebow (Florida) and Pat White (West Virginia) type of play. Line up in the shotgun, fake the handoff and keep it. In the one hour of Pack practice I was allowed to watch, it was interesting to see how much N.C .State worked on passing from the roll-out. The quarterback attacks the corner and either keeps it or passes it.

By losing Jamelle Eugene, State has lost its best playmaker at running back. Has Andre Brown recovered enough to be anything like he was in his first three years? Curtis Underwood has good quicks but has played 37 snaps of college football. South Carolina's starting running back is junior Taylor Rank. He had a whopping two carries last year. Everyone expected Mike Davis to run first team but he'll come in from the bullpen.

Was N.C. State's line that bad last year? Apparently so if you judge by Tom O'Brien bringing over two defensive linemen to the O-line. John Bedics and Ted Larsen may have quicker feet and move better than, say, Curtis Crouch and Jake Vermiglio. Expect to see some pulling Wolfpack linemen in this year's scheme.

Both State and Carolina … err … South Carolina were terrible against the run last year. USC ranked 110th in the nation in rushing defense, N.C. State 91st. Steve Spurrier went out and hired Ellis Johnson as the Gamecocks new defensive coordinator. You will see a lot of linebacker Jasper Brinkley. He's 6 feet 2, 275 pounds. N.C. State has more speed than bulk at linebacker. Keep your eye on No. 41, true freshman Dwayne Maddox.

South Carolina ended last year with five straight losses, so it's not like N.C. State is heading down to play Florida or LSU. The Pack has a chance if it can find some way to produce some points. How?? That's the secret that Tom O'Brien has kept behind closed doors.

I'll take the home team, 17-10.

Ken Medlin, WRAL Sports

My first inclination was to call this one an evenly matched game (Steve Spurrier certainly did), but that was before I heard Tom O’Brien’s injury breakdown.

We knew about Donald Bowens’ injury, and Javon Walker’s wasn’t a great surprise either. But Jamelle Eugene is out for the game as well? And Curtis Crouch will not make the trip?

Take away State’s starting tailback and one of the Pack’s best offensive linemen, and you’ve tipped the scales in favor of South Carolina.

I suspect defense will dominate this one, so I’m picking South Carolina, 20-10.

Mike Maniscalco, The Fan

The N.C. State Wolfpack faces a tough challenge at South Carolina Thursday night. N.C. State is already hamstrung with injuries: two running backs, Jamelle Eugene and Toney Baker, and the Pack’s top receiver, Donald Bowens, are out.

Then add a redshirt freshman quarterback in Russell Wilson making his first start at an SEC building at night into the mix and it seems you have a recipe for disaster.

Call me an optimist, but State has a chance to keep this game close, because head coach Tom O’Brien is fantastic at game-planning for an opponent. O’Brien has had all offseason to look at the Gamecocks; look at his record in bowl games with Boston College, and that is with only a month to prepare. The Wolfpack will need to control the football (which the injuries to Eugene and Baker will make difficult), keep the score low and make it a game in the fourth quarter.

Wilson will have to make plays with his feet and the Pack defense needs to pressure quarterback Tommy Beecher and force turnovers to give State a chance.

But that is where my optimism ends, South Carolina has too many athletes and Steve Spurrier is on the other sideline and would love to make a statement in the Gamecocks’ home opener. It will be closer than expected heading into the fourth quarter, but the depth and talent of Spurrier’s crew will be too much to beat in the hostile environment of Williams-Bryce Stadium.

Gamecocks top the Pack, 31-17.

Dave Rothenberg, The Fan

This contest should be a clash of two very different teams, the speed and athleticism of South Carolina against the youth and injury-riddled N.C. State team. When really examining this match up, I see absolutely no way this is even a competitive game. The Pack is without its best receiver, running back and, in my opinion, quarterback (at least starting).

I know the thoughts of the homers here in Raleigh are that NCSU can win or at least compete in this one. I don't think so at all. My concern is that not only do the Gamecocks beat up on State, but that the game gets so ugly it has a negative impact on the season.

I find it hard to believe this is not a woodshed kind of game. With N.C. State starting a freshman at quarterback in one of the most hostile environments, it spells disaster. Couple in the lack of firepower due to injuries on the visitors’ side and look for this one to get ugly early.

Final score: South Carolina 41, N.C. State 13

Scott Jackson, The Fan

N.C. State opens in a hostile environment Thursday night facing a South Carolina team that hasn't won a game since last Oct. 13, when the Gamecocks held off a young North Carolina team in Kenan Stadium. Surely it’s something the Gamecock players have been thinking about the entire off-season. There are lots of similarities to where these two programs are in their respective conferences. Neither is expected to be a conference contender and both fan bases would likely be happy with a bowl appearance. And speaking of the fan bases, both are as passionate as they get.

The similarities are also on the field. Both teams start inexperienced quarterbacks, but Tommy Beecher has actually thrown the football in games - unlike State's first-year starter Russell Wilson. State also has to adjust to playing without leading receiver Donald Bowens and running back Jamelle Eugene, who has been a solid runner and receiver in the offense. So Andre Brown, who they have been careful with in the preseason, is back with the first team as he came back from a foot injury. Expect to see plenty of Curtis Underwood.

What about the offensive line? They will need to run block better from the start unlike last year when the team ranked last in the ACC in rushing. To be around in this game, State must run the football effectively. Plus State faces a South Carolina defense that is talented and experienced, returning 10 starters. They also have a new defensive coordinator in Ellis Johnson, who was a big success at Mississippi State most recently. .

The Gamecocks will be without starting running back Mike Davis, who has been suspended and must rely on Taylor Rank. Too bad Smelly isn't playing Rank and Smelly in the backfield! Keep in mind, though, that this is Steve Spurrier we are talking about and they will want to air it out. So a big game from the State secondary is a must. State defensive coordinator Mike Archer has preached that his team needs to disguise their coverages well against the Gamecocks offense. The Cocks will pitch it around, especially to receiver Kenny McKinley, who had 77 catches a year ago and 9 touchdowns.

Believe it or not, the Gamecocks have strong special teams with the return game and kicking. State has question marks with another new kicker, Josh Czajkowski, and a reshuffled return team with the injury to Eugene. That could mean Wilson handling punt return duties or Geron James and freshman Trevor Graham.

Spurrier is keeping his mouth shut, which isn't fun for anyone covering the game. However, the Old Ball Coach has been humbled since his return to the SEC three years ago. Sure the Gamecocks have upgraded the talent under Spurrier, but the ultra-high expectations have yet to be met. Tom O'Brien is the right guy for N.C. State, but he still needs another recruiting class to truly have his guys aboard. Early injuries have hurt the Wolfpack's depth, too.

I expect tonight South Carolina will win but not by a huge number. I'll say 24-10. They have more talent and fewer questions than N.C. State and the benefit of playing at home.

Tim Hall, The Fan

There is nothing better than starting off your college football season like N.C. State is this year. They are not playing someone like Louisiana-Monroe at home or someone they can beat by 30 points. I am not taking anything away from James Madison or McNeese State, two quality FCS teams. But to start your year on the road against an SEC team in a stadium that seats more than 80,000, now that is a test. But it's one I think the Wolfpack will fail miserably.

You don't have to go back too far to the last time N.C. State lost a season opener. Central Florida beat them last year in Raleigh, 25-23. In the past five years the Pack has only won three openers, but a road start at an SEC school is easily the toughest in that span.

Right now there are too many question marks for N.C. State. Their leading returning receiver had 12 catches last year. The two that are slated to start had 13 catches combined last year. Add in the loss of Jamelle Eugene, who was just as critical in the passing game as the running game, and you've got problems.

South Carolina returns their two leading receivers from last year in Kenny McKinley and tight end Jared Cook. Junior quarterback Tommy Beecher doesn't have the starting experience but has been in the system under coach Steve Spurrier for three years.

Russell Wilson is starting in his first college football game for State, and he is going to go up against a defense led by an All-America candidate in linebacker Jasper Brinkley. He's is going to do with an equally unseasoned receiving corps to boot. When I also take into account that I heard Tom O'Brien say Wilson might return punts, I feel a long night is coming for the Pack.

The Wolfpack needs to use this game as a learning experience and an opportunity to get Wilson accustomed to the speed of the game. Minimizing mistakes should be a focus even if moving the ball is a problem. O'Brien will get this team playing good football before long, but it will be a tough start.

My pick: South Carolina by 20.

Most Recent Comments

I thought this started about football?! Good luck to the pack and Wake Forest tonight! Good luck to the Heels on Sat! Pack fans don't hold your breathe until 11/22! Neutral, please stop dreaming of the Chapel Hill men! LOL!

"The only thing Iam curious about is . . . your hangout ladies. You feel so accepted with them. So warm inside, like its really okay."

Sorry to burst your bubble but I'm hetero, married, and simply accepting of homosexuals--not one of them. (The concept confuses you, I know) But I do have some hot girl friends. Too bad most of them are too well-adjusted for you. But I know of one who is a glutton for punishment, and fairly conservative.

Oh wait, she's not into the unsure-of-their-sexuality type. I'll keep an eye out for you, though.

Iam out of here, to watch the game! GO PACK! Good luck ROY, but hold on to that Jay Hawk pin, its your claim to fame.

thats true, but I hope that the Carson homocide will open a few eyes in Durham/Chapel Hill. What about the student from India, that was horrible!

Turtlestew, I cheered for UNC also against Kansas and was so embarrassed! Hansbaugh looked like a child among men as well as your point guard. With all the media hype of UNC, it was actually embarrassing for the ACC. I can truly understand Roy's Jay hawk pin.

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