Though Coach O’Brien called 2009 “the hardest year he’s been through in coaching,” the Wolfpack ended the season on a high note.  The 28-27 victory over North Carolina added a little sweetness to a season that was otherwise bitter.  Another year of a ridiculous number of injuries drove Wolfpack Nation crazy as again we were left to think of what might have been.  What if Nate Irving didn’t crash his car this summer, effectively ending his season and opening a huge hole in the Wolfpack defense?  What if State was able to get into the endzone against South Carolina to open the season?  Surely a 4-0 start would have changed the rest of 2009.  What if State’s defense could have gelled more and won a close contest in Winston-Salem?  Would that have changed the outcome a week later against Duke?  Or was the morale too damaged to repair, causing the Pack’s four-game losing streak mid-way through the season? 

We could go on and on with “What if” questions, scratching our heads and living in a dream world of endless possibilities.  Or we could choose to focus on the positives.  Yes, Nate Irving crashed his car this summer, ending his season and weakening a Pack defense in need of leaders.  But Irving is still alive.  Coach O’Brien is always the first to point out that seeing the wreckage of that night makes one wonder how Irving wasn’t lost on that tragic night in June.  And who knows if scoring a touchdown and beating the Gamecocks to open the season would have made 2009 any different.  Maybe State would have gotten too cocky and lost three weeks later to Pittsburgh.  And no, the defense wasn’t anywhere close to “up to par” this season, but who said they were going to be?  Maybe we as fans had too high of expectations for a defense that was last in many statistical categories at the end of 2008.  My point is that there are always two sides to the “What if” game.  And if you keep your head in the clouds too long thinking of what might have been, you’ll miss what’s happening right now.

What is happening now is a transformation.  Tom O’Brien and the rest of his coaching staff are creating a program.  They’re building winners in the classroom, the community and on the football field.  If you’re concerned that O’Brien is spending too much time worrying about things other than football, look at his track record.  Look at what he created at Boston College.  He built a program that shows consistency year in and year out and one that can stand on its own two feet years after his departure.  I for one am thoroughly excited for the coming years of Wolfpack football!  Our program will be fine.  Once the injuries settle down and O’Brien continues recruiting players of his liking, Wolfpack football will be relevant on the national stage and will stay relevant for a long time. 

2010 looks to be another intriguing year for N.C. State on the gridiron.  Our offense will still likely be our strong suit, especially if Russell Wilson and Toney Baker return.  Wilson is mulling over his possible baseball career, while Baker has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA.  He isn’t projected to go high by NFL analysts, and his help at running back is greatly needed for next season.  Tight End George Bryan will be back for his junior season after an All-ACC sophomore season this year.  He will have the benefit of playing with a talented group of wide-outs as the Pack will have a lot of options in the passing game.  Returning for the Wolfpack will be the likes of Owen Spencer, Donald Bowens, Jarvis Williams and Darrell Davis, to name a few.  Those experienced and talented receivers should make State’s offense one of the best in the conference once again. 

Though the defense took a lot of the blame for State’s disappointing season in 2009, one can look at next year optimistically.  The main problem with our defense this year was the youth of players at key positions.  Though the players are talented, experience can’t be taught.  State is very young in the secondary and at linebacker, but the talent is definitely there.  With more experience, this unit could be the Pack’s strength in the years to come. 

The last area I’ll cover before hitting State’s biggest obstacle of 2010 is the special teams.  The Wolfpack should be in good shape with kicker Josh Czajkowski returning and T.J. Graham back to return kicks.  Punter Jeff Ruiz had a tough year, but with more experience he should improve a lot over the off-season. 

Now we’ll get to State’s main problem for next year; the lines.  The offensive and defensive lines for N.C. State were both senior-heavy in 2009.  Alan Michael-Cash, Leroy Burgess, Willie Young and Shea McKeen were a force on the “D-Line” and were the bright spot on the N.C. State defense.  On the other side of the ball, Jeraill McCuller, Julian Williams, Andy Barbee and Ted Larsen anchored an offensive line that helped balance out the Wolfpack offense.  Though others were implemented during the season as reserves, all of these players are seniors and will leave a big void in depth at both line positions.  Coach O’Brien knows that he will need to heavily recruit linemen to make sure depth is not an issue for the Wolfpack in the future. 

All in all, 2010 is looking up.  Not because of any one player or any one position, but because of our belief in our team.  That’s why I’m proud to be a State fan; because we stand by our team and by our program.  We know that though times are tough, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, “and it’s not a train coming” (to use a Jimmy V quote).  We believe in our coach and stay faithful to the history and the tradition of Wolfpack athletics.  2010 could be a great year, but let’s not forget all the memories of 2009.  The great win against Pittsburgh, the homecoming defeat of Maryland.  And last but certainly not least, the deflating looks on Tar Heel fans’ faces as they left Carter-Finley Stadium.  They knew they were going bowling, but they still haven’t figured out how to beat Tom O’Brien!  In a way, 28-27 is almost sweeter than 41-10.  I think the sweetest though, is 3-0; Tom O’Brien’s record, while at State, against Butch Davis and the Tar Heels.  Have a Merry Christmas ACC fans and enjoy the bowl season.  Maybe sooner or later we’ll get a playoff implemented and increase the level of excitement in December!  See you in 2010 and as always, GO PACK!!!!