FanHouse ChuckAmato

FanHouse gathers around the TV to bring you insights from Bowl Season '08.

Russell Wilson got hurt. With all due respect to Rutgers players, coaches, fans and awesome Pulitzer Prize winning alumni, that's about all you need to re: the PapaJohns.com Bowl. Of course, it's also all you need to know about North Carolina State's season -- when Wilson was healthy and in the game, the Wolfpack were one of the most exciting teams in the NCAA, and when he wasn't, well, they were the type of team that could give up a first half lead to a suddenly struggling Rutgers team.

Again though: Rutgers = not bad. They came in having won six straight games, but, caveats aside, you couldn't tell by the time the clock struck zeroes on the first half. The Wolfpacka dominated, Mike Teel struggled mightily, and it looked like a runaway win for State. Then Wilson got hurt.

A cataclysmic event might be something of an overstatement, but probably not by much. You see, after last night's loss to in-state rival East Carolina, North Carolina State fans are up in arms over the state of the program, its coaching staff, and (get this) Navy Coach Paul Johnson. Weird I know, but apparently the talk started some time ago, when it was apparent Chucky Chuck Amato was a horrible if not somewhat off-his-rocker Head Coach. It seems, from what I can gather, that some enterprising NC State fans started throwing Paul Johnson's name into the pool of potential replacements, despite the fact Johnson has several years left on his contract and no reason to leave a very good situation in Annapolis. The talk centers around Johnson's unique flexbone spread option offense, which (gasp) runs more then it passes. Obviously a school like NC State, with obvious National Title aspirations on the line, can't possibly think about hiring such a "gimmick" style offense. Finally, a voice of reason.

I DO NOT WANT THE NAVY HEAD COACH...LISTEN TO YOURSELVES...NAVY???????

WE NEED COWHER OR CHOW. NO ONE ELSE.

Um, that was harsh. I mean, this is only a Navy team which has had four consecutive winning seasons and two straight Bowl wins, but what do we know about football anyhow? The only thing scarier then this twisted and outdated logic is a conspicuously titled "Paul Johnson Lovefest" thread, which, open entering, is more akin to a Paul Johnson sucks thread. I don't mean to relish in the obvious implosion of fan frustrations here, but damn, the stuff in here is almost to good to be true. There's even a letter from Jim Grobe refuting one fan's claim of the ineptitude of a run-based offense.

yep, that offense sucks. it could never work in the acc.

sincerely,
jim grobe

Thanks for chiming in Coach and sticking up for the Triple Option. That's all I've got for now, but keep checking back in on this during the day because I've got a feeling things are going to more or less spiral out of control in Wolfpackville. Best of luck to the NC State crowd on finding a new coach, just as long as it's not ours.

For the second consecutive year, NC State has beaten the once-dominant FSU Seminoles. This 24-20 home win marks the 4th time Chuck Amato has beat his old team since he left Tallahassee in 2000. This one is pretty easy to sum up. We got out-coached. We got out-played. NC State made plays when they had to make plays. We did not. They were more disciplined than us. They wanted it more.

Wolfpack quarterback Daniel Evans played a hell of a game. He was cool in the clutch. His receivers made plays. Evans finished the game with 3 TD passes and 0 interceptions. He brought his team back from a 20-10 2nd half deficit. I was really impressed with how he performed in such a spotlight.

The Seminoles were not horrible in any one area, but were not particularly good in any area either. Drew Weatherford had an up and down game. He looked very good at times, then had some plays that I'm sure he wishes he had back. His lone turnover came on FSU's final drive when a pass intended for freshman TE Brandon Warren was deflected and intercepted. The running game got off to a good start on the opening drive, then didn't do much after that.

The defense gave up 340 yards to an offense that has struggled this year. They also let the Wolfpack do whatever they wanted to with the ball over the final quarter and a half. The NC State running back tandem of Andre Brown and Toney Baker was able to gain first down after first down in the 2nd half. Brown finished with 113 yards on only 18 carries, his second straight game against FSU with over 100 yards. I've already mentioned what Evans was able to do through the air. Our defense was not able to create one single turnover the entire game. I hear those usually help.

NC State easily won in the intangibles department. They played with more passion. There was a different look in their eyes than in our players. I actually believed they were the team with something to prove and not FSU. The Seminoles were once again undisciplined, collecting 10 penalties (that were accepted). Oh yeah, we also again used up all of our timeouts with plenty of time left in the game. That predictably came back to bite us, as we could not stop the clock once NC State took the ball with just over 2:00 to play.

This may sound strange, but I don't want to complain about coaching. About how we continuously lose to supposedly less talented teams. I'm over it. I have accepted the fact that we are a mediocre team playing in a mediocre conference. And that is how I will (try to) look at things from now on. NC State deserved to win this game. The better team prevailed.

The Seminoles ride into Raleigh tomorrow night for a Thursday night showdown with the always dangerous (at least to FSU) NC State Wolfpack. The Noles must avenge last season's 20-15 loss in Tallahassee, when future 1st round D-linemen Mario Williams, Manny Lawson and John McCargo dominated the FSU offensive line ala Mike Tyson vs. anybody in his younger years.

This brings me to the first key to this week's game. This could probably go first every week. FSU has got to win the battle in the trenches. The Seminole big uglies must create holes for the backs and keep the quarterbacks off theirs. The line has had to deal with some minor injuries lately but that should not hold them back Thursday night. Luckily, NC State lost those three first round defensive linemen. However, there is still more than enough talent with DeMario Pressley and Tank Tyler to think it's going to be an easy task. Besides, with us it never is. It would be nice to see Booker and Smith run for at least 150 yards in the game.

The next focus is the big boys on the other side of the ball. We have to be able to put pressure on their quarterback and limit their talented runners. NC State QB Daniel Evans is very inexperienced and has never seen a defense like the one he will see this game in his life. He will make his fair share of bad decisions if we can get to him consistently. FSU's defensive line has managed only 1 sack on the year and that was last game by freshman Dekoda Watson, who is really a LB lined up at the end position. Explosive freshman Everette Brown will be making his first start in garnet and gold at defensive end. It will be a homecoming for Brown, who is from North Carolina. Brown has all the tools to be the pass rusher the Noles have been looking for.

Another key point for this game is letting our wide receivers make plays. NC State's starting corners stand just 5'10" and 5'11". It would be wise to throw the ball to 6'3" DeCody Fagg and 6'6" Greg Carr early and often Thursday night. While they haven't produced as much as I'd like to this point, their ability to create big plays is undeniable. The Wolfpack should not have the luxury of rushing only 3 players effectively and dropping 8 into coverage like they did most of last year's game. This will allow the wideouts much more space to make things happen. Let's also not forget the emerging weapon that is freshman TE Brandon Warren.

Florida State cannot overlook what NC State is capable of. They're an inconsistent team, having lost to Akron and Southern Miss (by 20) but are coming off a big win over Boston College last week. Here's guessing that the Pack come ready to play during primetime against Chuck Amato's former family. They always do.

As FSU prepares for this Thursday night's game against NC State, there has to be one key in the defense's mind: Stop Andre Brown.

Brown, the Wolfpack's bulky 232 pound sophomore running back, shredded the FSU defense for 179 yards and a 65-yard score in a 20-15 NC State win at Doak Campbell Stadium last year. That came one week after he pounded out 248 yards and 2 scores against Southern Miss.

Brown has been inconsistent so far this season. He has played well in their 2 wins over Appalachian State and Boston College, but struggled in 2 losses against Akron and Southern Miss. Combined, he still averages an impressive 6.4 yards per carry. However, he is only averaging 11 carries a game. He has had to split time with fellow highly recruited sophomore Toney Baker.

Florida State has looked good against the run so far this year. They've allowed one 100-yard rusher, and that was to Rice's RB. The Noles have allowed only 340 yards rushing through 4 games and almost half (163) of those were to Rice. We spent most of that game playing young, inexperienced backups so that number does not worry me. Against Clemson, 85 of the 151 yards on the ground we gave up were on 2 trick plays, a reverse and a quick snap with the defense not paying attention.

I believe the Noles' defense will be in top form in Raleigh on Thursday night and keep NC State's ground game in check. Also, FSU had a bye week to prepare to stop Brown and Baker. If we do this, it will be very difficult for Chuck Amato's group to pull off a big upset against Bobby's team 2 years in a row.