This was an interesting question and answer in the weekly mailbag of Fox Sports' Stewart Mandel:
Can NC State football crack the FSU-Clemson stranglehold on the ACC Atlantic Division?
I don't normally take questions on Twitter but I liked this one. I may have to start loosening my curmudgeonly policy.
If it's going to happen, this is the year for NC State to do it. Florida State and Clemson both have far more talented rosters, if the recruiting rankings are to be believed, but they're both in phases of major transition. The 'Noles are replacing not just Jameis Winston but nearly every key offensive player from 2014, save for stud tailback Dalvin Cook. Clemson, conversely, brings back star QB Deshaun Watson but loses all but two starters from the nation's No. 1 defense last season. Clearly both teams are vulnerable, at least for one season.
Enter NC State, which improved from 3-9 to 8-5 in coach Dave Doeren's second season, put up 41 points on the 'Noles last season (though then lost 41-0 at Clemson the next week) and bring back dangerous fifth-year quarterback Jacoby Brissett, solid tailbacks Shadrach Thornton and Matt Dayes and a veteran O-line. The Wolfpack should be able to score against anyone in the ACC. The concern is having to replace three senior D-linemen from a unit that ranked 13th out of 14 in scoring defense (27.0). A best-case scenario would likely be going 6-2 in the league, beating one of the two, Clemson or FSU, and winning a tiebreaker. Coupled with a comical non-conference slate, NC State could go 10-2, cause for parades in Raleigh.
Link: http://www.foxsports.com/college-fo...-spartans-biggest-game-of-2015-mailbag-061015
Can NC State football crack the FSU-Clemson stranglehold on the ACC Atlantic Division?
I don't normally take questions on Twitter but I liked this one. I may have to start loosening my curmudgeonly policy.
If it's going to happen, this is the year for NC State to do it. Florida State and Clemson both have far more talented rosters, if the recruiting rankings are to be believed, but they're both in phases of major transition. The 'Noles are replacing not just Jameis Winston but nearly every key offensive player from 2014, save for stud tailback Dalvin Cook. Clemson, conversely, brings back star QB Deshaun Watson but loses all but two starters from the nation's No. 1 defense last season. Clearly both teams are vulnerable, at least for one season.
Enter NC State, which improved from 3-9 to 8-5 in coach Dave Doeren's second season, put up 41 points on the 'Noles last season (though then lost 41-0 at Clemson the next week) and bring back dangerous fifth-year quarterback Jacoby Brissett, solid tailbacks Shadrach Thornton and Matt Dayes and a veteran O-line. The Wolfpack should be able to score against anyone in the ACC. The concern is having to replace three senior D-linemen from a unit that ranked 13th out of 14 in scoring defense (27.0). A best-case scenario would likely be going 6-2 in the league, beating one of the two, Clemson or FSU, and winning a tiebreaker. Coupled with a comical non-conference slate, NC State could go 10-2, cause for parades in Raleigh.
Link: http://www.foxsports.com/college-fo...-spartans-biggest-game-of-2015-mailbag-061015
