When Coach Tom O’Brien is touring the pulled pork circuit — the coach’s pet name for the series of fundraising events in the offseason — there is one, simple request from fans: beat Carolina.
“That’s all you ever hear about,” O’Brien said. “It starts with North Carolina, then goes to East Carolina, then goes to South Carolina. So you have to beat the compass schools.”
Since arriving at N.C. State nearly two years ago, O’Brien has repeatedly affirmed fans’ hopes that he is taking the rivalry seriously — especially when it’s that important to fans.
And with a 5-1 record against in-state Division-I opponents since he’s been at State, O’Brien has been able to hang his hat on the team’s success against rivals.
When it comes to UNC though, O’Brien said it could be even more important if it were the last game of the season for both teams.
“Certainly being played in the middle of the year, it’s kind of tough to really say it’s an end-all game,” O’Brien said. “Now it means a lot to our fans, so that’s why it’s important that we go do it. It would would add a little more significance if you could play it at the end of the year, but you’re not going to change Carolina-Duke.”
After last year’s exciting back-and-forth win over the Tar Heels, the Pack is hoping to burst UNC’s ACC Championship game hopes with a win Saturday in Chapel Hill.
While the Pack has clearly found the solution to its early-season quarterback dilemma in the form of redshirt freshman Russell Wilson, the Tar Heels are having a quarterback controversy of their own. T.J. Yates, who started the season as quarterback, has played only one series since Sept. 20 because of a broken ankle. Junior Cameron Sexton, who filled in for Yates for most of the season, struggled last week in UNC’s loss to Maryland.
As of Thursday evening, Tar Heels Coach Butch Davis still had not named a starter and said he didn’t plan to do so until Saturday.
“We aren’t preparing for two [quarterbacks], we’re preparing for the North Carolina offense,” O’Brien said Thursday. “Whoever they chose will execute the offense that they run. That is what we’ve gotten ready for — schematically what they do on offense.”
UNC runs a pro-style system, with multiple sets and formations, relying heavily on the passing game and star receiver Hakeem Nicks.
This game isn’t just important to fans, it also means a lot to native North Carolinian players like senior running back Andre Brown. Brown stood in the tunnel at the conclusion of last year’s win over UNC, suffering from a fractured foot. And with State needing to win out to become bowl eligible, the stakes are high for the senior.
“It’s going to be an emotional game, especially being my last time playing against a pretty good school over there and our rival,” Brown said. “It’s a lot at stake for us and them.”
