Wolfpack coach Tom O'Brien talks with C.J. Wilson (20) in the second half against Georgia Tech. ETHAN HYMAN - ehyman@newsobserver.com
The Tom O’Brien job watch ended Saturday.
It’s not completely official yet, of course.
It’ll probably be a few more weeks before new N.C. State athletics director Debbie Yow rewards the fourth-year football coach with a job extension.
But for all practical purposes, O’Brien turned the corner with State’s 45-28 win over defending ACC champion and 8-point favorite Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
A preseason pick to finish a distant fourth in the ACC Atlantic Division, the Pack moved to 4-0 overall, 1-0 in the league and should be favored in three approaching games against Virginia Tech, Boston College and ECU.
Given a healthy Russell Wilson at quarterback for the rest of the schedule, it’s completely within reason that State will win at least eight or nine games, challenge for a berth in the conference championship game and bag a nice bowl bid.
After three straight losing seasons and a 9-15 record in league play, O’Brien began the season amid much speculation after Yow and chancellor Randy Woodson moved into primary administrative jobs during the off-season.
Wilson, a redshirt junior and a pro baseball player in the Colorado Rockies system, probably is in his final season of football.
He may not be back in 2011, but Wilson will go down not only as one of the school’s all-time best players but also the pivotal figure in his coach’s survival.
Columnist
Comments
BTW Look for the Pack to be
Sun, 09/26/2010 - 11:15 — unc098BTW
Look for the Pack to be ranked this week...20 or so
I don't know...I doubt we
Sun, 09/26/2010 - 14:12 — mad_maxI don't know...I doubt we get the love yet. Maybe #24 or #25, but I'm guessing they will be right outside the top 25.
Well nevermind, I just
Sun, 09/26/2010 - 14:18 — mad_maxWell nevermind, I just checked. State is #23 in the AP poll; #27 in Coach's poll.
so, max
Sun, 09/26/2010 - 20:37 — JPDOhioYou were right and wrong at the same time. Story of your life (at least that part exposed in ACCNOW).
I'll try to take that as a
Sun, 09/26/2010 - 22:23 — mad_maxI'll try to take that as a compliment. But rest assured JPD, I'm never wrong in real life haha.
Probably a good thing
Sun, 09/26/2010 - 14:49 — Heels20It can only be to State's benefit that they fly under the radar for as long as possible. In the past, they seem to always blow it the second they get some respect, but I've also never seen a player like Russell Wilson before. My prediction, for all it's worth, is that they'll continue to roll. VT's D is solid, but inexperienced. Wilson is now a veteran QB and I expect he'll take advantage of what the Hokies defense doesn't have.
Again, great win for the
Sun, 09/26/2010 - 11:14 — unc098Again, great win for the Pack ( already wrote my bit on the other article ) and get ready for Tech. To the point of the article: I have always been a TOB supporter but did have reservations about him surviving this season. He is attaining the potential he is capable of. Once his system is in place NCSU should be good to go for as long as he remains. I am feeling lazy so here is the other post.
I did manage to watch the second half of the State game. I am so impressed with the improvement on this team. We knew States offense would be one of the best in the league but they are setting themselves up to be the team to beat in the ACC. As I predicted earlier State will beat VT. If that happens they have a legitimate chance to capture the ACC title. I have now revised my prediction of a 7-5 season to a 9-3 or 11-1 season. Guess which is the loss. LOL.
Good win for the Pack
Sun, 09/26/2010 - 09:28 — Heels20State really appears to be the team to beat right now. Coming into the season, there were major questions about the defense and running game. Those questions have been answered. TOB's job now is to make sure the success doesn't get to the players' heads, leading to an unexpected loss. I'm disappointed to see the game against VT scheduled for 3:30. I was hoping to make it to both the Carolina game and the State game.
PACK, please remember last year's VT game
Sun, 09/26/2010 - 09:18 — howingtonLLast year's game against VT wasn't close. Pack needs to come out fired up! Revenge is a dish best served cold...BTW cold front expected to move in later this week.
Good win
Sun, 09/26/2010 - 09:14 — SurferA good win for the pack. I saw most of the game and if they keep it up, a winning season is def. in the works. You gotta like RW's poise as a college QB.
Eating Crow and Loving It
Sun, 09/26/2010 - 09:00 — YAR8packAs more of an ardent poster, I never felt TOB was on the hot seat going into this year. In fact, several other posters here at ACC Now and myself said that TOB needs to be given slack this year unless the team was absolutely atrocious.
State still has a lot of ball to play. But it's rather nice the team is undefeated. However, it looks like VT has found itself and is beginning to play the type of defense and running game that's made it famous. The Pack better already be done enjoying yesterday's W and come back to work today ready to prepare for a rejuvenated hokies team.
I think my favorite stats from yesterdays game have to be only accruing 4 penalties for a total of 35 yards and the Wolfpack's rushing yard average per rushing play: 4.0.
Not enough superlatives to says about Russell Wilson, special teams (sans FG kicking) and the Pack D. How about that play from Earl Wolf to break up the pass to a wide open GT receiver? Outstanding!
Ugh. What in the world is wrong with Czajhowski? Yes, Russell's rather terrible decision to heave it to the middle of the field, which led to a GT pick-6, was bad. But there's no way that pick would've potentially meant as much to the Jackets had the kicker done his job. Those kicks weren't even all that far out. Basically they were a lil beyond a PAT attempt. C'mon Josh, get the leg to working. It's going to kill the Pack sometime in the very near future if he keeps missing FG's.
Alright. Hopefully the Pack doesn't let their heads swell with this win. Yes, they did beat the defending ACC champion, and that is the first conference loss from GT at home since mid-2008, BUT, as we all know, that team yesterday was nowhere near the team GT was last year, and the season still has a lot of games to be played.
OK GO STATE!!!
looking good
Sun, 09/26/2010 - 20:46 — JPDOhioI was encouraged by the tone of TOB's post-game press conference as well as the comments of the players that I heard. TOB was complimentary of his team (deservedly so), but still noted that improvement is necessary (which certainly is true, always). This is a good team that continues to improve and has a chance to have an outstanding season. But they are only going to get there by focusing on the game at hand and leaving the speculating to us.
Right track
Sun, 09/26/2010 - 10:24 — qdog112Great post. I agree with every word, but this:" Russell's rather terrible decision to heave it to the middle of the field,"
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It was a bad pass, but watch it again and see if Graham even tried to break it up. He never turned into the DB he should when a bad pass is thrown. Trust me, he could have broken it up, but just watched. Graham also seems to be afraid of injury on his returns. He continues to run east/west on kicks. With his speed, he should plant and go, but he runs to the sidelines (all but once yesterday).
Tudor come lately!
Sun, 09/26/2010 - 01:00 — PACK_MIKE77I agree with others that the Tom OBrien "hot seat" was a media generated story. I also agree the hometown paper has always short changed NC State. The N&O wants to sell more newspapers and N&O believes there are more UNC fans than State fans. Therefore their pages are more blue than red.
C'mon
Sun, 09/26/2010 - 02:13 — gvillegatrNo question the pack is 4-0, but to say TOB on the hot seat was media driven is absurd. The guy has been in Raleigh for THREE full seasons and has not had a winning season.
To the players: great start to the season.
Bandwagon
Sat, 09/25/2010 - 23:58 — gmwannabeeI guess Tudor is hopping on the bandwagon now. First he writes a few weeks ago that the ACC is terrible...now he is a State Fan. Stick to UNC Tudor since they always have the bigger pictures and articles anyway. You have been a UNC fan since the days of Mickey McCarthy. I became a wolfpack fan because of how the hometown paper never supports them, and panders to UNC. Great job pack.
I agree
Sun, 09/26/2010 - 02:09 — gvillegatrThis is a great way to pick a team to pull for! Eeny, meeny, miny, mo. I'm gonna pick this team bc the Raleigh paper hatea them.
Do not tell your boss you post here!
WILSON STAYS
Sat, 09/25/2010 - 21:33 — qdog112"
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Beg to differ
Sun, 09/26/2010 - 20:56 — JPDOhioI don't think anyone is trying to "run Russell off", other than maybe members of Mike Glennon's family. The smart money says that he gains nothing by staying an extra year, especially if he continues to put up numbers this year. Why stay? To set records?
RW seems like he has a plan. If he wants a shot at the NFL and continues to play like he has played the last two games, he declares for the draft this spring and takes his chances. He has nothing more to prove at the collegiate level and moves on to the next stage of his plan.
What I posted last night on the ATL Constitution and Char. Obsvr
Sat, 09/25/2010 - 21:16 — qdog112Keys for NCSU: Archer and Tenuta have had a long week to prepare for the option. I would be surprised if O'Brien hasn't worked in a few series all season, looking forward to this game. Playing the option requires a disciplined, assignment - defense. Unfortunately, State has shown it has a very young, aggressive defense that flies to the ball. If that happens Saturday, they will lose. I would assign LB Manning or Irving to Nesbitt every play. That on top of taking away the dive option. They would have to win with the pitch where State can use it's speed to cover the flank and maybe pick off a couple pitches. They'll have to play man coverage in order to support the run. consider 200 yards rushing a win for NCSU.
Wilson should have a record day against this 3-4 defense. State has had a lot of models to study on beating the 3-4. Almost half of the NFL uses it, with Pittsburgh having used it the longest.There's miles of tape on how to beat it.(see Tom Brady) Wilson might throw 50 times, while running Greene only as a change up, unless he gashes them from the jump. He can catch it on swing passes, but the way to beat a 3-4 is by spreading it and throwing and nobody does that better than Wilson. Any rushes should be up the middle. The "a" gap is the weakness and even weaker if the pass game is clicking. I think NCSU is better, but the kids on defense have to play their assignments to pull it off.
Hopefully this year will help recruiting
Sat, 09/25/2010 - 21:00 — sftwareguyAlthough the whole 5-star, 4-star ... recruiting monikers somehow don't always pan out (ask wine and cheese Mac Brown who has had top 10 recruiting classes the past 5 years), it does help to get bigger, faster guys who can be coached to be really good.
If you look at Tressel at Ohio State, not all his current stars were in the top 150, but his coaching will put them in the top 2 or 3 draft rounds of the NFL. TOB does the same thing. Great coaching along with a little Marine discipline.
Interesting
Sun, 09/26/2010 - 02:05 — gvillegatrIs it me or did I dream up Mack Brown winning and losing a National Title in the last five years.
Yea, ol' TOB really has him licked!
Tom O'Brien is The Man
Sat, 09/25/2010 - 20:15 — keihinTOB does things the right way. He finally has a squad that's healthy enough to show their true mettle and get the results they deserve.
i guess...
Sat, 09/25/2010 - 17:58 — izzykareemUNC-CH fans aren't posting yet, with their game against NJ Community College so close...
but i digress, Great win today. And yes on all things posted so far.
The OL looked absolutely dominant today against all manner of pressure. Few missed assignments but there's only 4 sophomores on the line.
Confused
Sun, 09/26/2010 - 02:00 — gvillegatrSo in other blogs you say you do not want UNC fans trolling. Now you want to know why the UNC fans aren't replying?
I bet you sit down when you pee!
Terrific job, Pack - way to
Sat, 09/25/2010 - 17:34 — ProwlingWoofieTerrific job, Pack - way to take down the Bees... Second week in a row that NCSU has polished off a defending conference champ !
Things to work on before VT next week - like FIND A KICKER !!!!!
4/5 of the starting OL for
Sat, 09/25/2010 - 17:15 — awdracer4/5 of the starting OL for the pack were sophs today. I'm just sayin'.
who'da thunk ol' TOB could
Sat, 09/25/2010 - 16:13 — sclarkwho'da thunk ol' TOB could coach???
This is merely the beginning. The O-line Factory is just starting to stamp out NFL molds.... Mustafa Green will leave NCSU as one of (if not THE) most decorated RBs in Wolfpack History... barring injury, because the hogs he's got developing in front of him (Mattes, Crisp, Wentz, et al) are no joke.
The D's getting their swagger, and I truly don't know who can stop our O. GO PACK!
Yep, he can coach
Sat, 09/25/2010 - 17:48 — JPDOhioThe whole "coach watch" thing was a media and blog creation anyway.
Of course, having a guy like RW makes it easier to coach.
Correct
Sat, 09/25/2010 - 21:20 — qdog112They have no clue what to write, so they say anything that makes copy. Real media would be trying to get the inside story on the magic that is NCSU and touting RW for the Heisman, but I guess we'll have to win a few more before they realize, THE WOLFPACK IS PRETTY GOOD.
What he said.
Sat, 09/25/2010 - 16:35 — tjfooseWhat he said.
Tjfoose
Sun, 09/26/2010 - 01:56 — gvillegatrWelcome back. Where ya been!?
Yep
Sat, 09/25/2010 - 17:14 — PuddentainYep