The teams N. C. State will face this season opened a collective 10-2 last weekend, impressive until you consider that two ACC teams squeaked past FCS opponents and the Citadel beat a team that didn't win a game last year.
After each weekend, I am going to keep track of how our future opponents' seasons are unfolding while also keeping track of how past opponents react to not having us to kick around anymore.
How to read the post: a capsule for each Pack opponent, including the team's record and most recent result, is listed under the heading "Week 1," "Week 2," "Week 3," etc. based on what week during the season that the Pack plays that opponent. The future/past opponent is listed in bold. Yeah...you'll figure it out.
Week 1: Tennessee (1-0) 35, N. C. State (0-1) 21
I think it's time to move on from this game. But, if you want more pain, simply start scrolling down. There are plenty of recaps of the misery to choose from.
Week 2: UCONN (1-0) 37, UMASS (0-1) 0
Connecticut held the Minutemen, who were making their FBS debut, to a measly 59 yards, but the Huskies were a bit of a mixed bag offensively, averaging just 3.4 yards per rush and seeing a pair of Chandler Whitmer's passes picked.
For what it's worth, Vegas likes the Pack (-6). Read more on what BTP thinks here, and continue past the jump to see how the rest of the slate fared.
Week 3: UTSA (1-0) 33, South Alabama (0-1) 31
UTSA is code for the University of Texas at San Antonio. Like South Aladamnbama, the Roadrunners (seriously!) are making the jump to FBS. UTSA also has the honor of starting the season ranked 10th (meaning dead last in all the world) in ESPN's Connor Nevins' "Bottom 10."
It was not a good day to be a South Alabama defensive coordinator, as the Jaguars yielded nearly 400 yards, including 183 on the ground as the Roadrunners ran for 5.9 yards per carry. Moose and Creecy have to be licking their chops.
Week 4: The Citadel (1-0) 49, Charleston Southern (0-1) 14
Charleston Southern was winless last year, making it tough to gauge just how impressive Citadel's 479-yard rushing attack really was. Regardless, playing an option-running military school always gives me the heebie-jeebies.
Week 5: Miami (1-0, 1-0), Boston College (0-1, 0-1)
The Hurricanes spotted the Eagles 14 points and gave up 537 yards to a Chase Rettig-led offense, but thanks to big runs from Duke Johnson (56 & 54-yard TDs) and a pick 6 from Denzel Perryman, the Canes came back and eventually won going away.
Week 6: #7 Florida State (1-0) 69, Murray State 3 (0-1)
The Racers managed just 39 yards rushing (1.2 yards per carry) in this money game. The Seminoles eclipsed the 600-yard mark in total offense, but things will get harder next week against Savannah State. Or not.
Week 7: Bye
Week 8: Maryland (1-0) 7, William & Mary (0-1) 6
Anybody got Ralph Friedgen's digits? The Terps, who didn't remove the goose egg from the scoreboard until under 10 to go in the 4th quarter, were a missed Drake Kuhn field goal away from opening with a loss to the Tribe. Freshman QB Perry Hills tossed 3 INTs.
Week 9: North Carolina (1-0) 62, Elon (0-1) 0
Week one of the Fedora Express went far better than N. C. State fans hoped, and Elon (coached by former TOB assistant Jason Swepson) is not exactly Charleston Southern. The team formerly known as the Fighting Christians was 5-6 last year, but beat FCS #17 Furman and nearly knocked off Appalachian State, losing 28-24.
Gio Bernard stared for the Fighting AFAM Majors, breaking a 59 yard run for a score and taking a punt 70 yards to the house.
Week 10: Virginia (1-0) 43, Richmond (0-1) 19
The Cavs appear to have made progress in the passing game; two QBs combined for 361 yards passing, and 11 guys grabbed balls in the balanced attack. The Spiders were held to 28 yards rushing on a 1.3 yard per carry average.
Week 11: Wake Forest (1-0) 20, Liberty (0-1) 17
Like Maryland, the Deacons had trouble getting past an FCS school, and needed a 4th quarter score to put out the Flames. Liberty outgained Wake by 70 yards of total offense as Tanner Price struggled a bit with life after Chris Givens. Michael Campanaro made 9 grabs for 96 yards, but no other Deacon had more than 2 receptions.
Week 12: #14 Clemson (1-0) 26, Auburn (0-1) 19
The kickoff-classic-athon in the Georgia Dome was not a complete bust for the ACC, as the Tigers from the ACC outlasted the SEC version. Concerns about Clemson's OL should be mitigated by Andre Ellington's day: he rushed for 231 yards on 26 carries.
Week 13: Miami (1-0, 1-0) 41, Boston College (0-1, 0-1) 32
Luke Kuechly now plays for the Carolina Panthers, apparently. The BC defense has much improving to do, but the Eagles have to be stoked about Rettig's 441-yard day.