The CheckerBoard

Good find. Not great news that they have 4 seniors starting on the OL - that experience matters a lot, especially in such an early season game. My impression is that Glennon has a big time arm, but maybe doesn't handle pressure all that well or make the best decisions, so we need to put some pressure on him.

That experienced line gave up a lot of sacks last year (especially at blindside OT) ... so yea Im hoping even though they are experienced, they don't tend to see a lot of 34 defense schemes in the ACC ie....confusion/chaos could pose a problem. sidenote here is ... their backup QB a 4th yr Jr just left the team to play baseball at Walter State... ehhh if Glennon does take some shots and has to go out of the game for any period of time... UH OHHHHH, watch out !!!!

Anyway, getting pressure on Glennon is huge, however they are really hurting in their WR corps from recent injury to #2 wr combined with inexpierence....but stoping their running game I think will be just as big... Word is their top RB Mustafa will get his grades posted, get cleared or let play from his maryjane charge... and be on the roster for the UT game... this is along with two other solid backs Washington and Creecy.

NCSU was not a real good football team last year. But that was last year!! They have the potential to be a very solid and capable team this year, but they, like UT, must live up to that potentail in order to let the world know that they mean business.

I like NCSU chances of being a contender in the ACC, but I like the VOLS to win becuase the SEC is a much tougher conference. Should be a good game, especially if Glennon has time to throw the ball.

One of NC State's greatest strengths going into this season is the offensive line, which features four seniors.

However, last year, the line was one of the worst in giving up sacks. Against Cincinnati (a mere 2 weeks after they played UT) they gave up SIX sacks. If we remember, that Cincy defense was not a juggernaut of any kind against us and I'm not talking about the secondary.

Perhaps that Pack line will be overwhelmed when they trade in their standard ACC defensive line for an SEC-caliber one...Either way I agree the battle will be won on the lines, for both teams.

Just because their Oline has a lot of seniors doesn't mean anything.our Oline has 106 starts(more than theirs) and our line has played a lot tougher schedule than theirs could ever dream of playing. And they gaven't played against the likes of our front seven.they will have to do a lot of substituting on the Oline or they will be winded by half time too.

I don't consider myself a Dool-Aid drinker, or an apologist. However, I think Tennessee may win this game more handily than given credit for. I think the UT offense will be hard to handle for even the good SEC teams like AL, GA, SC. No offense to the ACC, but I just don't see NCSU shutting down the Vols offense enough to win this game. If Patterson is anywhere near as advertised, and hunter is anywhere near 90%, even Bama's DBs may have trouble stopping UTs 3 WRs. I see UT putting up some points this year.I think there will be some growing pains in UTs new 3-4 defensive scheme, but with NCSU losing their top WRs, I don't see them scoring enough to outduel UT. Maybe I will be (not so pleasently) surprised?