Four games into a season that had promised much, N.C . State (2-2, 0-1 ACC) faces its first ACC opponent at home in the form of the undefeated, No. 21-ranked Georgia Tech (4-0, 1-0 ACC).
With State struggling to find its feet against FBS opponents and both their wins coming against FCS opponents, the Wolfpack has found the going difficult on more than one occasion. A new quarterback, numerous injuries and a depleted defensive line have all contributed in ensuring that the Pack has had a start it least expected after a stellar season under coach Tom O’Brien last year and despite a 45-28 win at Bobby Dodd Stadium last season.
Georgia Tech, who leads the nation in points per game (53.3) and is second in the nation is rushing yards per game (398.8) is no doubt posing questions to every State fan as to whether or not their team can hold its own against the Yellow Jacket offense that has torn every defense into shreds this season.
O’Brien who led his team to a 9-4 record last season was quick to lavish praise on the Yellow Jacket offense, which has become one of the most talked about subjects in college football this year.
“The thing [Georgia Tech] is doing so much better right now is they are throwing the ball. It’s 230 some yards a game; they are rushing for 400 a game. That’s mind-boggling right now,” O’Brien said. “The wide receiver is averaging 40 yards a catch, that’s pretty big numbers. At the end of the year last they decided they were going to get into the passing game and it certainly helps because it takes a lot of your support and it puts pressure on the perimeter.”
On being quizzed on why things have gone so wrong for the Wolfpack , after so much was expected of it, O’Brien admitted that injuries have taken a huge toll on his team’s hopes for the season.
“We’re down four defensive tackles now, we only have two defensive tackles left to play this game. You look at five games now, there is a different grouping in that front seven than we’ve had so it’s hard to be consistent,” O’Brien said. ”Every time we take a step forward we take two steps backwards.”
Senior linebacker Audie Cole, one of the leaders on the field for the Wolfpack , expressed his enthusiasm in playing Georgia Tech and claimed it was a much different team this year in comparison to last year.
“I have a good time playing Georgia Tech. You know they are going to run the ball. They have been throwing the ball a little bit more this year, they are a running team and that’s we have go to stop,” Cole said. “Georgia Tech is so much different from every other team, the only thing is that they never used to pass the ball this much, this year they have been passing the ball much more. We have got a lot of turnovers, a lot of interceptions so hopefully we can get that going this week.”
Cole, part of the defense that is ranked No. 81 in the country for number of points allowed per game, also admitted that the key was for everyone to stick to their roles or pay the price.
“All we have been doing is working on stopping the option, to make sure we keep our assignments,” Cole said. “Someone’s got the quarterback, everybody has got someone, if you don’t stick to your roles, you’ll get into trouble during the game.”
Defensive coordinator Mike Archer, who had also overseen the stellar performance by the defense last season, felt the numerous defensive changes, including the decision to switch sophomore defensive end Darryl Cato-Bishop to tackle, was the smartest thing to do.
“He played that position last year against them and because of what happened [injuries], we have no choice,” Archer said. “He was the one big body we could put down, who has played there and knows the call so that was a no-brainer.”
Archer also claimed the team would take the positives from last year’s victory over Tech and would try to replicate them again on Saturday.
“We have looked at the tape [of last year’s game versus Georgia Tech] and they see some of the same guys playing,” Archer said. “Their scheme has changed a little bit and we’ll do things differently as well but it’s basically the same thing.
“It comes down to fundamentals of getting off the blocks, tackling and we did that really well last year with the exception of 4-5 plays.”
N.C . State takes on Georgia Tech Saturday at 3:30 p.m . at Carter-Finley Stadium.