Russell Wilson has Wisconsin unbeaten and ranked in the top 5 nationally and has emerged as a Heisman Trophy candidate but N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien isn't sure his former quarterback could have made a significant difference in the Wolfpack's record through six games this season.

N.C. State's 3-3 with a litany of injuries and problems on defense heading into Saturday's game at Virginia.

"Probably not because it hasn't been a lack of offense," O'Brien said today. "There isn't anything throw-wise or leadership-wise offensively that would be any different at this point in the season."

N.C. State's road trip to Cincinnati is a chance for the Wolfpack to play in the national spotlight and also for coach Tom O'Brien, and several of his players and assistants, to go home.

O'Brien grew up in Cincinnati and played high school football at St. Xavier. Offensive coordinator Dana Bible followed O'Brien at St. Xavier and played cornerback for the Bearcats in the mid-1970s and coached at UC and in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Football fans in the Triangle may have been talking about Russell Wilson’s Wisconsin debut last night, but they weren’t watching -- at least, not any more than usual.

According to ESPN, last night’s Wisconsin-UNLV game did a 3.7 metered market rating in the Raleigh-Durham TV market. Last year’s Thursday night opener, South Carolina against Southern Mississippi, did a 3.8.

Given the interest in Wilson locally, it's surprising there wasn't more of a bump in the ratings, but it may also be an indication of the voracious appetite for college sports in this area.

The rave reviews for Russell Wilson's performance last night in Wisconsin's opener keep coming in.

In this report from correspondent Jason McMahon of the Wisconsin State Journal, Wilson's new teammates up in Madison, Wisc., were gushing postgame about the 255 passing yards, two TDS and 46-yard TD run he racked up in just one half of play against overwhelmed UNLV.

Russell Wilson seldom disappointed N.C. State fans in three seasons as the Wolfpack’s quarterback, and he didn’t let down Wisconsin fans Thursday night in his Badger debut.

Wilson passed for 255 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 62 yards and another score as No. 11-ranked Wisconsin crushed Nevada-Las Vegas 51-17 at Madison, Wis. Wilson directed the Badgers to seven touchdowns and an end-of-the-half field goal in eight possessions in a nationally televised season opener.

The addition of Wilson added sizzle to an ESPN Thursday night game that otherwise would have been ho-hum with a Big Ten power meeting UNLV, which was picked to finish seventh in the Mountain West preseason poll.

Former N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson made a spectacular first-half debut tonight as he led Wisconsin to a 37-3 halftime lead over Nevada-Las Vegas at Camp Randall Stadium.

Wilson directed the Badgers to five touchdowns and a field goal in six possessions, including an electric, 46-yard scramble for a score on the longest run of his career. He also was 8-for-11 passing for 206 yards and a touchdown.

The addition of Wilson added sizzle to an ESPN Thursday night opener that otherwise would have been ho-hum with a Big Ten power meeting UNLV, which was picked to finish seventh in the Mountain West preseason poll.

PINEHURST -- George Bryan isn’t tired of answering questions about a guy who doesn’t even play for his team any more. Not yet.

The N.C. State tight end is happy to talk about new starter Mike Glennon, even if everyone wants to ask about the departed Russell Wilson.

“I feel like it’s definitely getting repetitive a little bit, but I will talk about it,” Bryan said. “I’m really just focused on Mike and how he’s going to do. I know he’s going to do good and I’m excited for him to be my quarterback now.”

DURHAM — Tom O'Brien lamented the loss of N.C. State's top receivers and all-star linebacker Nate Irving during the Triangle Pigskin Kickoff on Thursday in Durham. The Wolfpack coach also expressed his concerns about the special teams.

One name O'Brien did not mention in his comments during the annual luncheon was Russell Wilson, the two-time All-ACC quarterback who transferred to Wisconsin.

Wisconsin has confirmed that former N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson is transferring to Madison for his final year of eligibility.

Wilson, appearing on ESPN's College Football Live on Monday afternoon, did say he would have remained at N.C. State if he had made his decision to play football instead of baseball earlier.

“Definitely,” Wilson said. “I love N.C. State. It’s a great place. I was truly blessed to have gone there. I was truly blessed to have graduated in three years and have a chance to play football and baseball.”

Former N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson is scheduled to appear on ESPN's "College Football Live" this afternoon after announcing whether he's sticking with the Asheville Tourists and minor-league baseball or taking his football talents to another college football program.

Wilson told the Asheville Citizen Times last week that if he ended up choosing football, he had narrowed his transfer choices to Auburn and Wisconsin.

According to ESPN, Wilson is scheduled to announce his decision today at 3:30 p.m.