The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of North Carolina College Football
By Austen Lopp
The Good:
Appalachian State
Let me start by saying this, all bias aside, Appalachian State has the best football team in North Carolina. In the Mountaineers just four years at the FBS level they have won three conference titles and four bowl games. The Mountaineers have executed the best FCS to FBS transition in history, and it is time for the respect they deserve.
Questions surround the Mountaineers from a coaching perspective this year after six-year head coach Scott Satterfield departed for Louisville. Former NC State offensive coordinator Eli Drinkwitz was slated as the next Mountaineer head coach and the retention of the key components on the team will more than likely mean an easy transition.
Zac Thomas, who has been put on the Davey-O’Brien award watchlist, returns for his second season at the helm for the Mountaineers after an impressive campaign last year, throwing 21 touchdown passes and just six interceptions. Production shouldn’t slow down for Thomas this season, with the return of wide-receivers Corey Sutton, Malik Williams, and Thomas Hennigan. On top of everything, the Mountaineers have four of their starting offensive linemen returning who were superb last year, allowing the fewest tackles for loss in the Sun Belt (collegefootballnews.com).
Appalachian State’s defense was dominant last year, leading the Sun Belt in rushing defense, passing defense, scoring defense, total defense, sacks, and pass defense efficiency (sunbeltsports.org). The Mountaineers took a step back at the cornerback position this season, losing Clifton Duck and Tae Hayes and the installation of younger cornerbacks will take some time to catch on but Josh Thomas and Desmond Franklin returning to the safety spot adds a little cushion to the backfield should issues arise.
The Mountaineers have a lot to prove this year as they attempt to win a fourth straight Sun Belt Championship as well as games against two different power five programs in UNC and South Carolina. An easy start to the season at home against ETSU and then UNC Charlotte the next week should prove to be an opportunity for the Mountaineers to hone their skills before their first big test against the Tar Heels in week three. A redemption game at home against Georgia Southern on Halloween night will be the final chance Appalachian will have to prepare for their biggest test in Columbia. Unless something goes terribly wrong, the Mountaineers are set up to have their most successful season in program history.
Projected 2019 Record:
11-1
NC State
Hear me out, despite the huge step back the Pack has taken this year (losing basically their whole offense, coach and all), I think the Pack has a chance to turn coal into cash this season.
NC State’s big problem last year was the defense, which was atrocious. The brand-new defensive line could not get things figured out and week in and week out the secondary crumbled. The Wolfpack finished the season ranked 108th in pass defense and the games against Clemson (380 passing yards) and Syracuse (480 passing yards) showed the severity of the issue.
With all of those defensive woes last season there are serious positives looking forward. The D-line has experience now, returning their leading sack artist senior James Smith-Williams and pairing him up with a few hungry younger guys. The front four might not be NFL caliber just yet, but the production should improve from last season.
The Pack’s offense is the biggest question moving forward. As I mentioned before they lost pretty much everything, and I mean everything. Three-year quarterback Ryan Finley was drafted by the Bengals, they lost their biggest targets in Kelvin Harmon and Jakobi Meyers, and their third straight 1,000+ yard running back Reggie Gallaspy. On top of all of that, the Pack’s offensive coordinator Eli Drinkwitz left to head up Appalachian State.
Head coach Dave Doeren said despite all of the changes, NC State will continue to play their game, featuring a fair amount of spread passing and zone stretch running, according to Athlon Sports. Sophomore Matthew McKay will likely step in to fill the spot of Ryan Finley and with dangerous options Emeka Emezie and sophomore Thayer Thomas to throw the ball two, the Pack has the assets to continue to move the ball down the field.
With back-to-back home games to start the season against East Carolina and then Western Carolina, the Wolfack has the opportunity to start the season off strong and get a little bit of experience before moving on to favorable ACC play where they take on Clemson, Louisville, and Syracuse at home. The ceiling is the roof for N.C. State and the younger guys with big shoes to fill must step up or they could very well end up in the ‘ugly’ category at the end of the season.