North Carolina State Wolfpack Betting – 2011 North Carolina State Wolfpack College Football Preview
Even the MLB baseball betting experts who focus on the Washington Nationals or Atlanta Braves – two teams not too far from the Carolinas – might be aware that North Carolina State football is in a tough position entering 2011. First of all, head coach Tom O’Brien – who was never able to win the Big East while at Boston College – has not been able to win a single division championship in the ACC. Whether at Boston College or (now) at N.C. State, O’Brien’s teams always seem to fall short. This is a rite of autumn which sports betting aficionados have surely noticed.
It’s hard to overstate just how important quarterback Russell Wilson was to the Wolfpack offense in 2010. His ability to throw the ball down the field 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, however, and junior Mike Glennon will be asked to fill the void. Glennon is not a reincarnation of Wilson, so the Wolfpack offense will fundamentally change. This means much more of the running game will fall on the shoulders of Mustafa Greene, who averaged over four yards per carry last season. North Carolina State should benefit from an offensive line that returns three of five starters.
In addition to losing Wilson, the Wolfpack must also replace their primary pass catchers this season. Tight end George Bryan had 35 receptions. He was a security blanket for Wilson, much as Jay Novacek was the readily-available outlet for Troy Aikman with the Dallas Cowboys. Glennon’s most reliable weapon at receiver is likely to be senior T.J. Graham.
While O’Brien faces many concerns on offense, he should be confident in 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.
O’Brien will once again feel free to turn his linebackers loose on the quarterback because his secondary is formidable. David Amerson and C.J. Wilson offer NCSU high-quality bookend cover corners. Earl Wolff is a fearless strong safety who finished third on the team in tackles last season. Brandon Bishop is a free safety who snagged four interceptions last season..
The schedule offers the Wolfpack a chance to ease into the Glennon era at quarterback. Opening matchups with Liberty, Wake Forest, and South Alabama should all be relatively easy wins. A road date at Cincinnati is thorny but certainly winnable. The conference schedule is the point of focus, though. The Wolfpack travel to Florida State and then come home to face North Carolina. The final home stretch against Clemson and Maryland will define the Wolfpack’s season. If NCSU doesn’t finish second in the ACC Atlantic, this year will be a disappointment. Don’t make a bold sports bet on the Wolfpack. This is a program that always breaks the hearts of its fans, especially since it has a coach who cannot win division championships.
