OFFENSE

NC State is moving on without Russell Wilson, who has a year of eligibility remaining but planned to spend the spring and summer playing baseball in the Colorado Rockies organization. Coach Tom O’Brien believes his offense is in good hands with junior Mike Glennon, a 6'6" drop-back passer with a strong arm who has patiently waited his turn behind Wilson. O’Brien says that Glennon is “as talented as any quarterback I’ve had. … He just needs the opportunity to play this fall, and he will get that opportunity.”

Led by imposing right tackle R.J. Mattes, NC State’s offensive line returns three starters and appears closer to rounding into the form that O’Brien’s highly successful offensive lines took on at Boston College.

Sophomore Mustafa Greene, who led the team in rushing last season, continues to improve, but is out until October with a knee injury. The big question is at wide receiver, where three key 2010 seniors are gone. Speedy senior T.J. Graham and junior college transfer Tobais Palmer will have to prove themselves quickly, and two-time All-ACC tight end George Bryan will be a more significant option in the passing game.
 

DEFENSE

NC State has the talent at linebacker to keep opposing quarterbacks on the run. Starters Terrell Manning and Audie Cole return and should continue making linebackers coach Jon Tenuta’s pressure packages effective. Cole has moved from the outside to the middle to replace departed senior Nate Irving (21.5 tackles for a loss last season). Sophomore, D.J. Green, who’s fast but inexperienced, moves from safety to start at field linebacker, Cole’s former position.

Dependable seniors J.R. Sweezy at tackle and Jeff Rieskamp at end anchor a solid defensive line. Sweezy, who recorded 11.5 tackles for a loss last season, could emerge as an All-ACC candidate.

The secondary should continue to improve behind talented cornerback David Amerson, who started last season as a freshman, and junior safety Earl Wolff, the team leader with 95 tackles in 2010.

A more high-pressure approach made possible by the hiring of Tenuta helped NC State improve from 31.2 points per game allowed in 2009 to 21.3 in 2010. The Wolfpack should continue making progress in that area this season.
 

SPECIALISTS

NC State’s fortunes in the kicking game will hinge on the play of two talented freshmen who need to prove they can succeed in pressure situations. Niklas Sade played in the prestigious U.S. Army All-America Bowl and will kick field goals and be asked to improve NC State’s kickoffs, which have been a yearly frustration. Punter Wil Baumann comes from the successful Wilmington (N.C.) Hoggard High program that groomed kickers Connor Barth of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Casey Barth of the North Carolina Tar Heels. Graham gives the Wolfpack a speedy weapon in the return game. 

FINAL ANALYSIS

NC State appears to have the talent in place to continue as a winning program. After posting three straight losing seasons to begin his tenure in Raleigh, O’Brien led his team to a 9–4 record, a Champs Sports Bowl win over West Virginia and a No. 25 spot in the final polls in 2010.

With eight returning starters on defense and a solid quarterback situation — even without Wilson — a trip to a bowl game seems nearly certain. And don’t rule out a run at the ACC Atlantic Division title.