Wednesday November 11, 2009

NC State Preview; Schematic Advantage

NC State Preview
I remember when Clemson was playing its best football in the 1980s but NC State was a thorn in our sides. The Tigers were the more talented team but Dick Sheridan’s crew upset Clemson three straight years.

Over the past five seasons Clemson has not played its best football but the results against the Wolfpack have been reversed. The Tigers are looking for their sixth straight win against the Wolfpack this Saturday. In fact, since that three game losing streak Clemson is 14-6 against NC State and 6-3 against the Pack in Raleigh.

The problems this year have not been on offense. State is 77th in the nation and seventh in the ACC in rushing offense with 135.89 yards per game. The Pack is 20th in the nation and second in the league in scoring offense with 33.67 points per game.

Russell Wilson (5-11, 201, So) has completed 177 of his 293 passes for 2,351 yards for 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He has 78 carries for 294 yards on the ground and four more scores. The Wolfpack are 17th in the country and third in the league in passing offense with 281.33 yards per game.

Owen Spencer (6-3, 185, Jr) has 20 receptions for 511 yards and three touchdowns. Jarvis Williams (6-4, 213, Jr) has caught 33 balls for 428 yards and seven touchdowns. Tight end George Bryan (6-5, 265, So) has 35 catches for 364 yards and six touchdowns.

NC State is 30th in the nation and third in the conference in total offense averaging 417.22 yards per game. The offensive line has four senior starters in center Ted Larson (6-2, 296, Sr), guards Andy Barbee (6-3, 310, Sr) and Julian Williams (6-5, 309, Sr) and tackle Jeraill McCuller (6-7, 325, Sr). The other tackle is Jake Vermiglio (6-5, 315, Jr).

Toney Baker (5-10, 225, Sr) has 114 carries for 588 yards and six touchdowns on the ground and 23 receptions for 280 yards and three touchdowns. Jamelle Eugene (5-10, 195, Sr) has 65 carries for 226 yards and two touchdowns rushing and ten receptions for 80 yards.

State is 34th in the country and third in the ACC in rushing defense allowing only 117.33 yards per contest. The Pack is 78th in the nation and ninth in the league in pass efficiency defense. They are 40th in the country and seventh in the ACC in total defense allowing 333.67 yards per game. The Wolfpack are 92th in the nation and 10th in the ACC in scoring defense allowing 29.56 points per contest.

NC State starts four seniors on the defensive line but the back seven are much less experienced. All three starting linebackers are sophomores and three of the starting defensive backs are freshmen. State is 47th in the country and fifth in the league in sacks with 2.22 sacks per game.

Special teams have been average this season. State is 84th in the nation and 10th in the ACC in net punting averaging 34.44 net yards per punt. They are53rd in the nation and sixth in the league in punt returns averaging 9.85 yards per return and 50th in the country and fifth in the ACC in kickoff returns averaging 22.68 yards per return.

State has had a strange season. They lost a defensive battle to South Carolina 7-3 before going on a three game winning streak against Murray State, Gardner Webb and Pittsburgh. The win against the Panthers gave Pittsburgh its only loss of the season.

The Pack could not sustain the momentum and went on a four game losing streak with losses to Wake Forest, Duke, Boston College and Florida State. NC State did rebound for its first conference win of the year last week against Maryland.

The Wolfpack have played better at home with a 4-2 record but are still looking for its first road win this season.

Turnovers have been the key to their season. The Wolfpack are tied for 108th in the nation and 11th in the league in turnover margin. State had just three turnovers in its first four games but have 13 in the last five games. They had four in both the Maryland and Duke games and three in each of the games against Wake Forest, Boston College and Florida State.

Schematic Advantage
When the Notre Dame hired Charlie Weiss he said the Irish would enjoy a “schematic advantage” because of his experience in the NFL.

Virginia’s Al Groh said his team would be “playing chess while others are still playing checkers.” Groh was insinuating that he was smarter than other coaches he would be facing.

I mentioned several times during the coaching search at Clemson that I thought Dabo’s strengths were what this program needed. I thought leadership was the key. My point was that X and O geniuses don’t make great college football programs. Bear Bryant did not out scheme people. Bo Schembeckler and Woody Hayes were not known for the play calling. Pete Carroll was not a genius in the NFL.

Building a program is not about play calling. It is about relationships. More so today than ever before, player-coach relationships are a big key and Dabo in known as a guy that loves his players and cares for his players.

Charlie Weiss and Al Groh have coached in more Super Bowls than almost anyone in college football yet both may be out of a job soon.

I would think both have been humbled by their lack of success and I say good for them. Both made brash statements about how they would outcoach the competition. What they did not realize is that you outcoach someone today when you get to know your players’ girlfriend’s name and inquire about how their mom is doing in her job search. Players’ trust in the coach is more important than their trust in the play.

With all of the film study and all of the clinics coaches have access to so much more information today than ever before. I do believe that techniques taught to players by position coaches are very important but the idea of out scheming people might be a thing of the past. Leaders inspire young people to follow them and that is more important than X and Os. Just ask Weiss and Groh.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, Delores Weaver, Eric Boessneck, John Bowers, Jimmy Ness, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, John Petrey, Chalmers Carr, Drayton Melton, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Ann Fallaw, Bob Pollock, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Mike Kingsmore,Perrin Seigler, Carole White Begley, Candee Massee.