2013 NC State
College Football
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Schedule and Odds
NC State is coming off an OK season, and there was nothing really too special about it. With a quarterback like Mike Glennon, you’d think the Wolfpack would finish with better than a 7-6 record, but they lacked consistency. One week they lost to Virginia after scoring just six points at home, but then were able to Score48 points a couple weeks later at Clemson. That happened throughout the season. A win over Florida State highlighted the year, but so did losses in Games they should have won. New head coach Dave Doeren comes over from Northern Illinois and brings in a new offensive mentality of speed.
He’ll have to introduce his scheme to a lot of new players as only 10 total starters are returning from the 2012 squad. The QB situation is still a question as Brandon Mitchell transferred over from Arkansas at the end of May and he’ll be competing with Pete Thomas who came over from Colorado State. Mitchell’s skill set matches Doeren’s offense a little better, but nothing has been determined yet. The good news for this offense is that running back Tony Creecy and wide receiver Quintin Payton are back. However, everyone will have to be on the same page with the new offense because Doeren and OC Matt Canada have said they won’t slow down.
The Wolfpack also brought in a new DC in Dave Huxtable who’s coming from Pittsburgh. The defense wasn’t great last year, but they held their own and should be better now with a few changes. The line returns three juniors which will be the strength, but also at linebacker they’ll have some power with D.J. Green who returns after his suspension for the entire 2012 season. Dontae Johnson is one of the best CBs in the conference, but a lot of new faces surround him.
2013 NC State Football Schedule
Aug. 31 vs. Louisiana Tech
Sept. 7 vs. Richmond
Sept. 19 vs. Clemson
Sept. 28 vs. Central Michigan
Oct. 5 at Wake Forest
Oct. 12 vs. Syracuse
Oct. 26 at Florida State
Nov. 2 vs. North Carolina
Nov. 9 at Duke
Nov. 16 at Boston College
Nov. 23 vs. East Carolina
Nov. 30 vs. Maryland
Looking at their Schedule, you can see NC State is sitting nicely with eight home Games. Because of that, they should be able to win all of their non-Conference Games. Louisiana Tech is not the same team they were a year ago, and while East Carolina will be tough later in the season, the Wolfpack’s defense will be too much for them.
As for the ACC, NC State isn’t totally out of the picture even in a rebuilding season. Of course, they won’t be able to stick with Clemson or Florida State, but they’ll have a good chance at a bowl Game and possibly third place in the Atlantic. Their bigger home Games will come against Syracuse and Maryland who will be some of their tougher Atlantic competition. That season finale against the Terps could determine third place (not that placing means all that much).
Even their road Schedule has possibilities as Wake Forest, Duke and Boston College are all weaker teams. The Wolfpack may be just as good as they were last year, but could easily come up with a couple more wins due to a favorable Schedule. Four non-Conference wins and Four ACC wins could easily mean an eight-win season before their bowl Game. That’s progress for Doeren and company.