ESPN analyst Jesse Palmer made his Thursday night broadcasting debut last season during South Carolina’s 34-0 defeat of N.C. State in Columbia.
Palmer, who will work the teams’ rematch on Sept. 3 in Raleigh, shared his pre-game thoughts in a telephone interview this week:
On the significance of last season’s rout: "Last year, both these teams met in the first game of the season and it was certainly very one-sided in favor of South Carolina. This year, I think, is different because the game is at N.C. State. I think you look at the way Tom O’Brien’s team played down the stretch last year. Even though they lost to Rutgers in the Papajohns.com Bowl, this team really matured down the stretch. And looking back on last year if you had told me after that South Carolina game that Russell Wilson was going to be offensive rookie of the year and throw 17 touchdowns and only one interception, I probably would have told you, you were crazy. But you look at the way he developed down the stretch, it was so impressive. And there are so many playmakers on that side of the football.”
On the N.C. State skill players who complement QB Russell Wilson: "Jamelle Eugene, I know is a guy they’re very excited about. Toney Baker is back healthy at running back and Jarvis Williams and Owen Spencer were two guys at receiver that came on down the stretch. George Bryan was a guy they found out was a good player midway through the season. So I’m really excited. I think this N.C. State team, I don’t know that they’re necessarily going to creep up on anybody this year because of the way they finished down the stretch and winning games against Wake Forest, UNC and Miami."
On the Gamecocks: "South Carolina, we know about the athleticism and the speed. I think the big question offensively is two things. One, Stephen Garcia and his ability to really take control of Spurrier’s offense and make plays. There were a lot of turnovers last year from the quarterback position, and that’s something that really needs to get shored up on that side of the football or it’s just going to be another so-so year at South Carolina. They were last in the SEC at running the football, so they have to get more physical up front. And they have to be willing to do that. I think defensively, we’ve seen the last couple years South Carolina has been good on defense. Under Ellis Johnson, the defensive coordinator, we expect them to be good again on that side of the football."
On N.C. State’s outlook for the season: "This is a completely different N.C. State team this year. Now they started off very slowly last year, but that was because they had a lot of inexperience. I’m really excited to see if Tom O’Brien’s unit can get off to a quick start and hit the ground running. Because who knows what can happen? The ACC in a lot of people’s minds is an up-for-grabs conference, so I’m really excited about this first game."
Comments
cocks.
Fri, 08/28/2009 - 15:27 — bluecat101the COCKS will lick the pack by at least 3 td,s, go duke!!!!!
This game SHOULD be an easy
Wed, 08/26/2009 - 15:00 — Heels20This game SHOULD be an easy win for the Pack. South Carolina is extremely overrated, with a bust at QB and an offense without last year's star receiver McKinley. Norwood makes for a nasty LB, but now that Brinkley is gone, he'll have a lot more ground to cover.
I'll be in the stands for this one. If the Wilson stays healthy and the Pack's D keeps from giving up the big play, I give State the win by at least two scores. Should be a great atmosphere.
I hope you're right
Wed, 08/26/2009 - 18:05 — mad_max...but I'm not so sure this should be an easy win for the pack right now. If State is able to win, I see it in a nail-biter. SC may be overrated, but they still have a good football program and a good coach. You may say I'm just building up SC to make State look better, but I could say just the opposite about you and other Tar Heel fans. If SC ends up being a bust this year and we handle them easily, then great. I'm all about us starting off 1-0. But if we lose, I don't wanna see all the haters on here talking about how bad SC is, because we all know that's not the case. At this point, my prediction is NC State by 3 points, and that's mainly because the game is in Raleigh and there is a little revenge factor.
Other than the fact that it is the first game and on a Thursday.
Wed, 08/26/2009 - 08:38 — JPDOhioThere is no comparison between this year's game and last year's. They may have some of the same players, but it is one year later and at least one of those teams is much better than they were at this time last year. So forget about last year, tee the ball up and let's go.
SC opener
Wed, 08/26/2009 - 14:23 — heelsno1NC State will be much better in their 2009 opener, and I think it will be a real Chicken-Kickin' with the Wolfpack claiming a measure of revenge from last year's humiliation. This one will be very loud.
Right
Wed, 08/26/2009 - 10:06 — SurferYou are totally correct. I am 100% confident that State will score this year. Admittedly, I do not know that much about South Carolina, but if RW stays in the whole game, which the exception of a series or two for Glennon, then he should have a field day.
Good thoughts from Palmer.
Wed, 08/26/2009 - 07:59 — ginoboliGood thoughts from Palmer. Unfortunately, the score was 34-0. I expect NC State to do much better this year. The atmosphere is going to be crazy.
N&O's resident race baiter's son Wesleye Saunders has already added fuel to the fire with this quote:
“I’m going to talk to coach Spurrier beforehand and see if he’s OK if I get a 15-yard penalty. Because I’m gonna do some sort of extra celebration if I get a touchdown on the Wolfpack.” – tight end and Raleigh native Weslye Saunders.
Like father, like son.
Wed, 08/26/2009 - 10:40 — HeHateMeTooLike father, like son.
Let him!
Wed, 08/26/2009 - 10:31 — bradleyb123I say let him do his little dance. We need to use this as bulletinboard material and get more fired up against these clowns.