Not much to say about Saturday

I didn’t get to watch the game, but man, why can’t we hold on to the ball? If I remember, did we ave 5 turnovers yesterday? We have to be averaging about 5 a game right? 4 and change? You know, our defense is doing wonders considering how much they have to go on the field, often with poor field position. Given the defense’s performance yesterday, we can still win some games this year. But they can’t do it alone, we aren’t going to shut anyone out. But we could hold a few teams under 20, maybe in the mid teens. So, the offense needs to frickin hold on to the ball! I can’t believe that fumble on their 18 yard line. I mean, get a dang field goal!

Yes, it’s going to be a long and painful season, at least we can be thankful basketball season is something to look forward to finally. It seems our football and basketball programs are on a see-saw. One up, the other down. I mean, when is the last time both were up, the late 80’s??

Strange Feeling about Today

Maybe it feels strange because it is 1:37 am? No, that’s not it.

I can’t put my finger on it, but man, I am really anxiously looking forward to the game today, tomorrow, well in 13 1/2 hours.  I think it’ll be a big answer for us fans.

I hate to bring up Shawshank Redemption again, but I gotta bring out the quote, “Get busy living, or get busy dying.” That’s what today is for NC State football 2007.

So, Wolfpack, when the coin is flipped this afternoon, please, please, please, get busy winning, or get busy ending your season. Anything in between I’m not too interested in.

My totally biased and somewhat insane prediction: NCSU 33, UofL 31

More news re:Louisville

The AP is reporting that Willie A. Williams, yes that Willie Williams, “was kicked off the team Thursday, less than 24 hours after his arrest on a marijuana possession charge.”

Let’s take the time machine back to July of 2004… (insert futuristic noises)   Miami signs their star recruit, Willie Williams, WR for Florida’s 6-A state champion. Williams had arrests dating back to 1999, mostly for theft and burglary. By 2004 he was already on probation for an ‘02 felony burglary charge. While visiting Florida in summer of 2004 he racked up another charge, a felony count of setting off fire extinguishers at his hotel, along with a misdemeanor battery charge for hugging a woman without consent. Surprise Paul Dee and Larry Coker! You just signed a career criminal! (The charged from Florida weren’t disclosed to U of M until after he signed, sneaky fella). So, I just wanted to refresh everyone on who this guy is, back to 2007…

Is Louisville trying to make us feel better about ourselves this week? It sure seems so. Let’s hope they take it all the way and assist us in obtaining a win this weekend.

Here is some more from the AP article:

Williams was one of the top recruits in the country two years ago, but highly publicized legal problems in high school — 11 arrests — nearly cost him a scholarship to Miami. He never panned out with the Hurricanes and spent last year at West Los Angeles Community College.

Wednesday night, Louisville police arrested the 6-3, 230-pound Williams after he was stopped for driving a car with the music playing too loudly, said Louisville police spokesman Phil Russell.

A detective searched the car and found Williams trying to hide a small amount of marijuana, Russell said.

“He basically had the marijuana in his mouth,” said Russell, who would not release the identities of the others in the car because they were not arrested.

Williams, also charged with tampering with physical evidence and driving without an operator’s license, was released on his own recognizance Wednesday night.

Maybe we aren’t THAT bad?!

I’ve been perusing the Louisville fan message boards. They are plain scared of the game Saturday. They are expecting to lose, or at least struggle to win. Moreover, they are afraid of being embarrassed by losing to, let’s face it, a bottom tier ACC team.

Section Six has a great analysis of the Achilles of the Louisville squad, their secondary.

So, more than I was thinking, much of the outcome of Saturday’s game is in our hands. Actually, in the QB’s hands. Can we complete more than 60% of passes?  Can we consistently obtain 3rd and short situations, and complete a short yardage pass for a 1st down? It’s rather simple, some semblance of a passing game means realistic chances at victory for NC State this weekend.

Rivals’ Top 64 countdown

Whew! I’ve been following the Top 64 countdown on Yahoo/Rivals the past week, wondering where NC State would fall. Turns out, #18. Fine by me! Respectable, but not inflating any heads. Says Rivals.com:

The Wolfpack generated a lot of preseason buzz by making a shocking run to the final of the 2007 ACC Tournament. For most of last season, the team looked like a rebuilding project, finishing 5-11 in league play. So, which Wolfpack team will show up in 2007-08? We believe it will be the team you saw in March. Possibly better. Costner is a rising star who can take over games offensively. Fells and McCauley are productive veterans. Hickson will be a difference-maker immediately. If Lowe can find a point guard by midseason, look for the Wolfpack to land a good seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Other notable statements:

Katz: NC State “an ACC contender”

Should Wolfpack Nation start panicking after losing Johnny Thomas and Javi Gonzalez this past month? Not really says Andy Katz of ESPN.

Katz says, “losing two perimeter players, even at a position that is considered the least proven on the team, does not necessarily mean high anxiety for the Wolfpack.”

That is b/c both of them are back-ups, and we actually have depth this year. As many State fans do as well, Katz feels that “Degand is going to be the starting point guard. He will be the most scrutinized player on a team that is supposed to be an ACC contender and a legit NCAA Tournament team.”