N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien was asked Wednesday to predict whether Saturday's game at Florida State will be high-scoring.
Coaches almost always politely decline to answer such a question.
They'll cite games in the past where Peyton Manning, Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky unexpectedly were shut down. To predict a high-scoring game is to admit that your defense is vulnerable.
But at this point, that's probably something O'Brien figures everybody already knows about N.C. State. The Wolfpack has lost three straight ACC games, giving up a total of 820 passing yards over two games against Wake Forest and Duke before Boston College piled up 293 rushing yards heading into last week's open date.
Florida State, meanwhile, leads the ACC in total offense.
"You look at the way they're playing offense, it seems to indicate we're going to have to score some points to win the football game," O'Brien said.
N.C. State will start its seventh different group of defensive backs in eight games against quarterback Christian Ponder, who's the ACC's total offense leader.
"All indications to the way they've played offense and the points they've scored, you look at our secondary, as decimated as we are and all the young players that we're playing, Ponder is probably salivating down there at the opportunity to play against us," O'Brien said.
It was true enough.
But it was unusual to hear a coach say it. Maybe he's trying to motivate his players.
Maybe it's just impossible to deny.
Comments
unusual answer?
Thu, 10/29/2009 - 08:10 — izzykareemKen, i know you have been to press conferences for the last 4-5 weeks and the same sorts of questions get asked, EVERY week and hasn't TOB actually given the same answer. He said both Riley Skinner and Thad Lewis would throw 50 times a game on us because of their experience and our inexperience.
"We're # 1!"
Thu, 10/29/2009 - 14:09 — SurferYes, except for the week "State had the #1 defense (yards) in the country" (I think that would be the outskirts of Garner) and after the likes of M. St., G-Webb and Pitt (regularly starting their offense in State territory).
The best defense....
Wed, 10/28/2009 - 14:37 — JPDOhioIn this case, is a good offense. If State's offense can keep Fla State's offense off the field, then State has a chance. The defense needs time to mature and it is not going to happen overnight.
However, the offense (and RW in particular) have to relax, not try to over-compensate for the defense, and just play within their capabilities. I have this sense that they have been pressing, because they feel like they have to score a lot of points.
So, basically, they have to cover for the defense, but act like they are not covering for the defense. Easier said than done.
Planning
Wed, 10/28/2009 - 14:28 — SurferSurely it won't be as bad as people expect it to be. In cases like this the underdog does have some advantage.
On the other hand, as opposed to the running and passing game, the most practiced play this week for FSU has got to be their kick-off coverage.
Actually...
Wed, 10/28/2009 - 13:47 — bradleyb123I think that's a good answer. He's being honest. And to say FSU will not score as many points as they usually do could be used as bulletin board material against us. Maybe he just didn't want to motivate them any more than they already are.
I'm HOPING he's trying to calm them a little bit, when what he REALLY expects is a better showing by our defense. But that's probably just wishful thinking on my part.