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By Stephen Cheek
SouthernPigskin.com State of North Carolina Columnist
SouthernPigskin.com State of North Carolina Columnist Stephen Cheek gives his mid season report card in the state of North Carolina.
Old North State Pigskin is a blog focused on the North Carolina schools in the ACC and Southern Conference. Referencing the state’s Revolutionary War nickname to include all the schools with its borders (and not just the Tar Heels with the state’s civil war nickname) this blog is written from a fan perspective, nothing more, nothing less. I am not a current or former coach, administrator or player of any university. I am not a professional journalist. While I am a graduate of the University of North Carolina, I am also the son of a lifelong Duke Football fan, and the son-in-law of an NC State alumnus. I just make observations as I see them…and try to leave the bias out. Comments, criticism, suggestions and corrections are all welcome at .
1. Wake Forest – Deacons are at the top of a pretty mediocre pile. They have already beat NC State and Maryland with struggling Clemson on deck. They also seem to be hitting their stride over the past two weeks after stumbling against Baylor and Boston College. Wake has the benefit of sitting on the Atlantic side of the ACC river where the bridge to Tampa is wide open and obstacle free based on current play. The Deacs have made critical mistakes at costly time in their losses, but made timely big plays in their wins. With a senior All-ACC caliber QB at the helm, and a proven coach as captain of the ship, the SS Wake is as good a vessel as any to book passage on in its division. Record 4-2 overall, 2-1 in the ACC Next up: Clemson. Mid-Season grade: B
2. North Carolina – Tar Heels were able to cruise into a bye week with a waxing of an overmatched Georgia Southern team. If the Heels can heal some injuries and capitalize on some Thursday night opportunities, the Tar Heels might be able to live up to preseason expectations. The problems reside on offense, and on Saturday the UNC defense manage to provide the majority of the Heels points, which shows that offensive woes remain. Time and practice can fix Carolina’s problems and the Tar Heels are still contenders for a decent warm weather bowl barring any more Virginia debacles. Record 4-2 overall 0-2 in the ACC Next up: FSU, Thursday 22 Oct. Mid-Season grade: C+
3. Duke – Duke has shown the most improvement of any team in the Old North State. Saturday’s win in Raleigh was the biggest win for Duke football in 15 years, and shows that David Cutcliffe’s rebuilding project in Durham is still on track. The difference in the Duke team that lost to Richmond, and the Duke team that put up 500+ yards on the previous top defense in the ACC, is night and day. Bowl eligibility is unlikely because the NCCU game does not count for the Devils. Respectability is worth playing for though, and the Devils are quickly gaining it. Record 3-3 overall 1-1 in the ACC Next up: Maryland Oct 24. Mid-Season grade: B
4. NC State – Two conference and Old North State losses from my column claiming State had a clear path to Tampa, one would have to figure the back slapping is done over in Raleigh. One year removed from Tom O’Brien claiming State was the best program in North Carolina, Wake and Duke have put up 80+ points on the Pack. While the offense continues to score, the defense is unable to stop anyone while penalties and turnovers are crushing State’s chances. If it wasn’t for the Pitt win, I would be tempted to give the Pack an F but O’Brien has a history of mid-season turn-arounds. Pack fans will need to pray for another one this year. Record 3-3, 0-2 in the ACC Next up: at Boston College. Mid-Season grade: C-
5. East Carolina – Pirate fans hoped to be BCS busters this year, but losses to UNC and WVU with VT looming in November means that won’t happen this year. Losing to SMU in Dallas this weekend have made the chances of repeating as C-USA champs a little less likely. The Pirates are certainly not out of the race however, but Pirate fans have to be disappointed by this year’s performances from a senior dominated O-line and a 6th year senior QB. The good news though is that the luster and attention is off Skip Holtz. ECU should hold on to him for as long as possible based on the state of the program when he arrived in Greenville. Record 3-3 overall 2-1 in C-USA Next up: Rice. Mid-Season grade: C
Tied for 6. Appalachian State – Two disappointing losses to open the season have not dampened the mood in Boone. Amazing what a playoff can do for a football team’s chances. Now that SoCon play has begun, App and star QB Edwards are hitting their stride. No reason to think that the Mountaineers will lose before the Nov 14 showdown with Elon. If prognostications hold true that game will be the SoCon game of the year. Record 3-2 overall 2-0 in the SoCon Next up: at Wofford. Mid-Season grade: B+
Tied for 6. Elon – A top ten ranking, with only a loss to ACC contender Wake Forest, is proof that things are going well for Pete Lembo’s Phoenix. A legit NFL prospect in WR Terrell Hudgins, a record setting QB in Scott Riddle and a much improved defense has seen Elon go from the Texas Tech of SoCon football to becoming the conference favorite to upset Appalachian’s domination. We will all get to watch it settled on the field Nov 14, as long as neither team stumbles before the showdown. With an off date on deck, Elon will get a chance to rest up for the home stretch. Record 5-1 overall 3-0 in the SoCon Next up: Chattanooga Oct 24. Mid-Season grade: A
8. Western Carolina- The good thing about a bye week is that Western did not lose over the weekend. The bad news is that Western still has to face The Citadel, Wofford, Elon, Eastern Kentucky before ending the season with App in the battle for the Old Mountain Jug. Those are likely 5 more losses. Western’s shot at avoiding the winless season is Halloween day at Chattanooga. Now that is a scary prospect! Record 0-5 overall 0-3 in the SoCon Next up: The Citadel. Mid-Season grade: F+ with the plus being for effort
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Old North State Pigskin is a blog focused on the North Carolina schools in the ACC and Southern Conference. Referencing the state’s Revolutionary War nickname to include all the schools with its borders (and not just the Tar Heels with the state’s civil war nickname) this blog is written from a fan perspective, nothing more, nothing less. I am not a current or former coach, administrator or player of any university. I am not a professional journalist. While I am a graduate of the University of North Carolina, I am also the son of a lifelong Duke Football fan, and the son-in-law of an NC State alumnus. I just make observations as I see them…and try to leave the bias out. Comments, criticism, suggestions and corrections are all welcome at .
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