North Carolina State University Athletics
Pack Feedback: Fans Weigh In On Preseason Football Poll
7/25/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 25, 2001
We asked NC State fans to respond to the ACC Preseason Poll, which produced a predicted fourth place finish for the Wolfpack. Here are some of the responses we received.
I think the Pack will finish either second or third this year in the ACC. I do not believe that the sportswriters give NC State football program its props. I think Coach Amato will show the ACC and the rest of the country the quality players that NC State football team has.
R. Jones
In response to the latest preseason predictions of the Pack finishing 4th, there comes a time in everyone's life when you have to tell those who doubt you just to shove it. The Wolfpack will finish at least 2nd and will go to a BCS bowl this year. We have the tools of greatness and I am sure Amato knows how to use them.
Conen Morgan
I believe that the 4th place finish is a safe bet for most of the sportswriters and some fans. What will prove to be an underestimated asset will be the amount of noise generated out of the new stands which will become an asset when opposing teams try to score at that end. The new scoreboard is going to help generate more noise and more adrenaline, which will help the Pack upset Clemson up here! The Pack will have to avoid the let downs vs Duke, Maryland and Wake Forest, which have cost them valuable wins in past seasons....especially Wake and Maryland. An upset of Georgia Tech at Tech will make for a great year
Tim
Personally I think that NC State Football will be more powerful this year than ever before. I think that Philip Rivers has had sufficient amount of time to know the players and their styles as well. Most of the ACC teams have new coaches and are adjusting to a whole new Era. I think NC State could be maybe #3 in the ACC. Remember Clemson has to come to NC State this year. State will have home field advantage. Last year Clemson beat them by the skin off their teeth. Overall I think Chuck Amato has done an AWESOME job recruiting. His attitude and enthusiasm has really been a factor with all his players and fans. Only time will tell.
LEE MOODY
I think at this time during NC State's rebuilding years and with this only being Coach Amato's second season, fourth place is a great place to be picked. It is definitely achievable. FSU, Georgia Tech, and Clemson are going to have strong and talented teams this year and for now deserve to be placed ahead of the Pack. NC State will continue to grow and develop into what we hope will land us a top three spot in the ACC in future years. For now, I would be happy with a fourth place finish and of course ecstatic at anything above that. Go Pack!
Eric Mebane, NC
Well, I think they will finish 3rd, because they weren't predicted to finish high last year and we did better then anyone ever thought. I also think that Amato is the best thing to ever happen to State and even if he knows we will do better he won't get over confident.
Stephen
I am a huge N.C. State fan, so my opinion may be a little biased. Still, I feel the Pack will steal third place from Clemson. The game with Clemson appears to be a huge game. I think State will tame the Tigers this year in Raleigh. They almost pulled the big upset in Death Valley last year. GO PACK!!!!!!!!!
SCOTT WILLIAMSON - MT. AIRY, N.C.
I believe the Pack will finish higher than 4th place in the ACC this year.
Here's why:
1) We should only build on last season's surprising 8-4 record,
2) The "could go either way" games are all in Raleigh this season (Carolina, Clemson, Virgina and Maryland)
3) NCSU's recruiting class was great this year (we signed the second highest number of players out of the state of Florida, second only to Florida State),
4) We have the makings of a 6-0 or 5-1 start. I think NCSU can possibly take Tech in Atlanta if we go into that game with that much momentum.
5) We don't have one main receiver like Koren Robinson this season. We have some very talented no-name receivers, which will be difficult to defend. Defenses can no longer focus on one primary receiver.
6) Our sensational QB is one year older and one year more experienced. He should have an even better year, especially if our O-line holds up.
7) Our coach has proven he knows how to win. Last year was no fluke. With so many games that could have gone either way, for us to win so many of them is good coaching, pure and simple.
Brad Bennett
What do you think? Will the Pack finish higher or lower and why? Pack will finish higher - definitely third and challenge for second. Pack will beat the teams they should, and take care of Clemson at home. The Pack's conference finish will depend on those two away games - Ga. Tech and FSU - both will determine whether the Pack finishes second, third or fourth. At least coach Amato has additional ammunition to motivate the players, as if he needed any..
- Jamie Vogel Raleigh, NC
First and foremost, with all the coaching and personnel changes, it is almost impossible for anyone to predict beyond the first three teams where anyone will finish. I think after Florida State, Georgia Tech, and Clemson, it's pretty much a toss up. State will pretty much be a lot like last year. Without a "go to" guy at wide receiver and with everyone really keying on Rivers, and boy will they ever, this could very easily be a 6 - 5 season. or 5-6) . A lot, and I mean a lot, of what will decide a successful season or a very disappointing one will be coaching and how our defense plays. If we are able to keep defenses guessing all year, and our defense plays injury free, and solid all year, we could be looking at (throwing in a little luck ) another 7-4 or 8-4 mark. Right now there are so many variables, as there always are in college football, emotion being also very key. On emotion alone, with the best fans in all of college sports and a great coaching staff, this season no matter what the numerical finish will be a successful one!!!!! GO PACK!!!!
Joe Ladd Jr.
Let me preface my comments by saying that I am a lifelong State fan and every year root for national championships in every sport. As you might imagine, I am often disappointed. Last year before the FSU game Coach Bowden was quoted as saying that Coach Amato 'was doing it with smoke and mirrors.' As irritating as that comment was, especially coupled with the 58 - 14 schooling he put on us, I think he was right. Coach Amato knows that to get fans in the seats he needs exciting players in the skill positions, most notably the quarterback. And that has to be his first priority, to get the fan base behind him. That also gets him a chance to win many games. And he has done that. But Coach Amato also knows that for long term success and national notice, he need quality at all the other unsung positions. And that takes time. If the Pack finished fourth we should be in a pretty good position for a bowl game, and for the next year or two, that's a very satisfactory accomplishment. But after that, watch out!
John Allen
