NC State starts 2014 putting Dave Doeren’s first year in the rear view mirror. In today’s cover four issue we look at four reasons why the Wolfpack will go Bowling at the end of this season.
Dave Doeren is a good head coach. Now I know most will point to last season in Raleigh as proof against this statement however Doeren was 23-4 in his previous two seasons at Northern Illinois. Unlike Larry Fedora at UNC, Doeren arrived in Raleigh with a shaky quarterback situation as well as following Tom O’brien recruiting classes that were less than stellar. Doeren needs time to recruit to his system and that process should speed up if Jacoby Brissett can jump start the offense that finished 99th in the country in points scored.
Speaking of Jacoby Brissett the transfer quarterback from Florida brings stability to a quarterback position that was a revolving door in 2013. The Wolfpack tried Pete Thomas and Brandon Mitchell however the offense just never improved as the season progressed. Brissett fits Dave Doerens offense by his ability to threaten defenses with both his running and throwing ability.
NC State’s skill position is better than average. Brian Underwood should have a better year if he can stay healthy and Bo Hines is a freshman wide receiver who enrolled in January shined in the Wolfpack’s spring game. NC State also has a healthy Tony Creecy and if Shadrach Thornton is allowed back by Dave Doeren NC State has a quality duo to go with Brissett in the backfield.
The schedule sets the Wolfpack to start off 4-0 before heading into the toughest stretch of it’s season when they host Florida State and travel to Clemson the following week. The next four weeks the schedule eases up with Boston College, Louisville, Wake forest and Georgia Tech. The Wolfpack end the season on the road in Chapel Hill. I expect NC State to have already qualified for a bowl game prior to playing North Carolina.
