North Carolina State University Athletics
Tony Haynes: It's Official: Hokies, Pack Matchup is Big
9/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 3, 2005
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C. - Lamenting the relatively high number of lopsided matchups on the week one college football schedule, College Gameday's Kirk Herbstreit gave kudos to the ACC on Saturday morning, saying "the ACC gets it." Herbstreit was referring to the fact that the league will provide ESPN and college football fans everywhere with two eye-popping games to start the season. Before Florida State and Miami clash in their traditional sunshine state bloodbath on Monday, NC State will welcome Virginia Tech to Carter-Finley Stadium for a 7:15 contest on Sunday.
The fact that neutral observers are referring to this as an attractive matchup suggests that even they believe that NC State's 5-6 record last season was an aberration, otherwise why would they be calling a game between the reigning ACC champs and a team that didn't even qualify for a bowl game in 2004 "big?"
It is, more than likely, an acknowledgement of the type of talent and athleticism Pack coach Chuck Amato has continued to bring to Raleigh over the last few years.
Even Amato is bucking the trend of coaches who generally try to convince us that no one game is any more important than any other. Amato, who was a junior linebacker the last time NC State opened its season against a top-10 team in 1966 (Michigan State), has openly described this one as the biggest opener the Wolfpack has ever hosted at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Factoring into the equation of course is the national exposure both clubs will receive by playing in front of a national television audience on ESPN2. And oh yea; with the NFL not opening its season until next week, this will be the only football game being played during its Sunday night time slot.
"To me, this is one of the greatest opportunities that you could ever think about," said NC State cornerback Marcus Hudson. "First of all, I believe everybody that plays football has a dream of playing on Sunday nights. What better chance do you have than to open up against the defending ACC champs on a Sunday night on national TV? It's a great opportunity and I'm glad to be a part of it."
But there is another reason NC State is itching to play this game. The Pack has had 281 days to chew on the disappointment of 2004. Since returning to NC State six years ago, Amato has been setting higher standards for a program that hasn't captured an ACC title since 1979. He believes and his players genuinely believe that the Wolfpack should emerge as a perennial player in the national rankings.
A second straight win over Virginia Tech would certainly ease some of the doubts that accompanied the Pack into the offseason.
"We're going against the ACC champs," said tight end T.J. Williams. "If we come out and set our tone early in the season, that's going to mean a lot for us as a team."
It could also set the tone for the ACC race, which will feature 12 teams and two divisions for the first time ever. The goal for both Virginia Tech and NC State is to be in Jacksonville, Florida for the inaugural conference title game in early December.
Last season, the Hokies opened against the eventual national champions. But this is distinctly difference because the outcome will directly affect the conference race.
"Games like this help you prepare," said veteran Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer. "I think they help your summer preparation and your preseason preparation. I would have preferred to have a game like this out of conference like a Southern California to be honest with you. I firmly believe NC State is going to be right there at the top. I know everybody is talking about Florida State and Miami, but I firmly believe NC State is going to be around the top. I think this is another real key to start out the season. To play one like that I like it, I think the part of it being a conference game makes it little tougher."
Questions going in: Will an NC State offense that struggled last season be improved under new coordinator Marc Trestman? How improved is Pack quarterback Jay Davis? Will an NC State defense that was ranked No. 1 in the country last year be as dominant? And how effective will Hokies quarterback Marcus Vick be after sitting out last season due to disciplinary reasons?
But with all things being equal, this game, just like last year's meeting in Blacksburg, could be decided by special teams. Virginia Tech, renowned for its special teams excellence under Beamer, had some uncharacteristic breakdowns in last year's 17-16 defeat to the Pack.
Both coaches put a heavy emphasis on the kicking game. Since 2000, NC State has blocked more kicks (35) than any team in the country. Virginia Tech is second with 30.
Amato says that the Wolfpack will have no chance if the Hokies score a touchdown in the kicking game. Beamer is probably thinking the same thing.
"Week in and week out on ESPN you see Virginia Tech blocking a field goal, and not many teams in the NCAA block field goals week in and week out," Hudson said. "That's something that you have to notice. Also, kick returns, punt returns and every phase of special teams you have to take into consideration because they're a big threat."
The special teams will likely be special and so will the atmosphere at Carter-Finley Stadium for a game that will be watched by millions.
Thank you ACC for giving us such an intriguing opener. Kirk Herbstreit was right: The ACC does get it.
