With Syracuse Football just avoiding the potential ground of all air traffic in the U.S. The Orange are in Raleigh and ready to go against NC State this weekend. We had a commenter from Backing the Pack, CaptainExactoPants, join us this week to talk about all things Wolfpack. TNIAAM: What was your reaction to Philip Rivers being hired as the new Head Coach,along with the Fanbase? BTP: In this era of NIL, money is the primary driver of success, and there is nobody who would get this fanbase more excited
and more willing to donate money than the most popular player in program history (apologies to Torry Holt, Ted Brown, and Roman Gabriel). NC State needs to take risks as a historically .500 program if it wants things to change, which is why I’m 100% on board with the hire. Worst-case scenario, we’re back here in 3-5 years looking at some hot mid-major coach or a retread from somewhere else. After being stuck in the middle for 14 years, I’d rather take big swings than go with the conventional approach. As for our fanbase overall, we suffer from multiple personality disorder collectively (many of us also suffer individually). There is a very vocal group thrilled to bring in PR, many of them the same very loud contingent that clamored for Will Wade (or FWW as he’s now known around the fanbase). Part of the appeal is that we don’t have to worry about him leaving after one year to take another job, so those same people who wanted a proven commodity last time want a loyal commodity this time. There are also many, like our fearless leader at Backing The Pack, who think it is a terrible idea to hire a HS coach with zero college coaching experience.
TNIAAM: What is the biggest hurdle that Rivers will face in his first year?
BTP: Philip Rivers will need people with college experience. He obviously has deep NFL connections, and has proven himself at running a HS program, but he absolutely has to hire people who understand the modern college landscape. General Manager is the most important hire. We need someone who understands the NIL market, the talent out there, and can work with Rivers to make the best use of the NIL budget. I’m sincerely hoping that PR hires a former college head coach to help him with the transition.
TNIAAM: How has the team responded to firing Dave Dorean midseason
BTP: Dave “Red Solo Cup” Dorean gave a press conference after his firing and was very complimentary of the school, which I think was very helpful to heal the fanbase, and we got the dead cat bounce in a walk over Cal, 31-10. Then came a blowout to the hands of Duke, 41-3. So, like, choose your own narrative, but this team is not good.
TNIAAM: What will be the Wolfpack’s strength against Syracuse?
BTP: Our offense is decidedly better than our defense, but our offense is… not great Bob. We do get RB1 Duke Scott back this week, so that’s something. Half of our starting OL is out for the season, which has proven to be a suboptimal strategy.
TNIAAM: Where are the Orange going to find success against the NC State?
BTP: Running offensive plays of all ilks against NC State this season has proven to be a very effective strategy, so I recommend the Orange do whatever works best for you. Oh, and the best tackler on our poor tackling team is out this week, so enjoy some yards after contact on us.
TNIAAM: One name to watch on the Offense and Defense?
BTP: CJ Bailey is the offense when he gets into the groove, but can I interest you in Duke Scott, who brings big play potential back to our run game?
I would have said LB Popo Aguirre, but, of course, he is now injured, so how about freshman Elijah Satchell of 5 sack fame?
TNIAAM: Predictions?
BTP: The crowd will be pumped when Philip Rivers is introduced before the game, which will be the highlight of the game for NC State.
Cuse 28
Pack 17
A huge thank you to CaptainExactoPants for taking the time to talk Wolfpack for this weekend’s game. Check out Backing the Pack.
