The trip to Blacksburg was an ugly one for the Wolfpack as Virginia Tech drubbed the visitors 38-10 on Saturday.  The game was, in some ways a mirror image of this season for N.C. State, whose high hopes were quickly dashed with the sting of reality.  The sixteenth-ranked Hokies showed why they are consistently at the top of the ACC, as they played disciplined, aggressive football for 60 minutes.  If the first play of the game was any indication of how the day would go, fans such as me should have gotten comfortable.  On the Wolfpack’s first play from scrimmage, Russell Wilson dropped back to pass and was immediately hit by Tech’s Cody Grimm.  The linebacker hit Wilson from behind, knocked the ball loose and the Hokies instantly recovered.  N.C. State’s defense would hold the Hokies to a field goal, but they would not be so fortunate a few minutes later.  On the second play of the Wolfpack’s next possesion, Wilson hit Darrell Davis for a short gain, but as Davis was battling for more yards, he lost the ball as well.  Grimm hit Davis, stripped the ball and the Hokies recovered again.  This time, Virginia Tech would not settle for three points.  The Hokies drove the short 25 yards and punched it in for a 10-0 lead.  That opening stretch would set the tone for the rest of the game as the Wolfpack only got as close as 17-10.

The problem Saturday was a mixture of things.  State’s defense just wasn’t up to the challenge, giving up big plays on crucial downs.  State’s offense also couldn’t muster a thing and looked like it abandoned the running game all together.  Though Virginia Tech’s defensive front is very good, a balanced attack is still necessary to compete.  Toney Baker ended the day with 10 carries for 47 yards, running well as he has for the past three games.  The senior, who was just granted a sixth year of eligibility, seems to be the smartest of the Pack’s backs.  Baker consistently runs “north-south” instead of “east-west,” picking up yards when he can and carrying tacklers with him.  His counterpart, Jamelle Eugene tends to stretch runs out and not take what the defense gives him.  Eugene is a talented back, but it is difficult to outrun defenders from Virginia Tech as well as other conference foes.  Baker has been the more consistent option at running back and I feel like if we would have utilized him more, it would have benefited our offense.

Our offensive struggles could have something to do with the absence of offensive coordinator Dana Bible.  Bible did not make the trip with the team due to health concerns, so Assistant Coach Jason Swepson called the plays Saturday.  Bible’s absence could have disrupted the flow of N.C. State’s offense, though that wasn’t their only problem.  Four turnovers never help your cause, especially playing a team like Virginia Tech.  The bottom-line is, the Hokies are just plain better than the Wolfpack.  Their quarterback played better, their offensive line held up and their defensive unit played aggressive football all game long.  This wasn’t a game many expected the Wolfpack to win, but some thought it would be a little bit closer than the 28 point spread on Saturday.  I was one of those optimistic few.

The loss drops the Wolfpack to 4-7 overall and 1-6 in the conference.  Only two of those four wins came against FCS (Division IA) opponents.  This season has certainly been one to forget, but all hope is still not lost.  The season has now come down to one game; this coming Saturday against North Carolina.  The Tar Heels are riding a four-game winning streak and have entered the top 25 after their most recent victory in Chestnut Hill.  Carolina beat Boston College 31-13 after forcing six Eagle turnovers to earn their eighth win of the season.  State defeated their rival last year 41-10, but this year’s game figures to be a lot closer.  The Tar Heels are polar opposites of the Wolfpack, as their strength is their defense and their weakness is on offense.  The Wolfpack are capable, but will need to take care of the football and play well in all aspects of the game to earn a W next weekend.  This week will be fun as we prepare for the huge rivalry that is State vs. Carolina.  Keep checking in as the blogs will really be rolling this week as UNC Blogger Chad Floyd and I will be preparing for the game of the year.  As always, Go Pack!