^If I was a UNC fan, this is how I'd break the expectations down for the first season:

0-3 wins = Disappointment
4-6 wins = Solid season, particularly if you lockdown your starting QB the next 3-4 years
7 or more wins = Exceptional

Their schedule is forgiving and recruiting has never been their issue, it's been character issues, poor player development, terrible injuries, and frankly poor leadership/morale.

8/12/2019 10:19:54 AM

I don’t think their schedule is forgiving at all. OOC they play SCar, @Wake, App. And they get clemson as a cross division game. They could realistically go 1-3 OOC. Their tougher division games are at home (Miami, UVa) but I wouldn’t call it a forgiving schedule really.

8/12/2019 12:10:15 PM

NC STATE UNC FOOTBALL 2019

FTFY

8/12/2019 12:22:18 PM

do we have a quarterback?

8/13/2019 8:08:01 AM

We have 3

8/13/2019 8:53:21 AM

[Edited on August 24, 2019 at 3:16 PM. Reason : packpride doesn't want their premium content posted here]

8/13/2019 11:08:30 AM

I'd be surprised to see draft the first season. I imagine the first season will be ironing things out and figuring out what the demand is and then I imagine season 2 you'll really start to see it grow with a beer garden and some local beers on site with draft.

Very curious to see the price points and if they'll have the 12oz or the 19.2oz variety.

8/13/2019 11:27:26 AM

guys i spoke to said cans only, even that is a good amount of work to have things ready in time

8/13/2019 11:47:12 AM

Sounds like they can barely keep it in stock in stores. Will be pretty disappointing if they aren't able to make available for the first game.

8/13/2019 1:28:39 PM

Definitely gonna need some upgrades and larger concession stands to accommodate beer sales.

8/13/2019 1:57:56 PM

^not really.

Separate beer stands even for cans/bottles will not take up any more room. PLenty of poles/areas where it can be set up every couple meters.

8/13/2019 2:51:06 PM

I really doubt the church groups and youth teams will be able to serve let alone sell the beer and wine.

Everything will be a standalone

8/13/2019 2:51:47 PM

I'm here for the packpride "I don't pay good money for my wife and daughters to be exposed to binge drinking" posts.

8/13/2019 3:55:50 PM

The people who are like "great now all these people are gonna get LOADED inside Carter-Finley" have clearly never seen the price point on trying to get "stadium drunk."

Also: They already got loaded before they came in.

8/13/2019 4:13:47 PM

Yep, I might bring one less mini bottle in now.

8/13/2019 4:28:08 PM

Quote :

"Separate beer stands even for cans/bottles will not take up any more room. PLenty of poles/areas where it can be set up every couple meters."

Seems to me like concessions already need upgrading, even without beer sales. But maybe I’m wrong. I don’t go to games as regularly as I used to

8/13/2019 5:31:54 PM

Yeah the east/west concessions are the same as they've been for probably the entire existence of the stadium. I'd expect the east concourse to be completely redone in 2-3 years (because those bathrooms need to be updated as well), followed by upgrading the west concessions. Wouldn't expect much more than a beer garden this year and maybe some standalone beer stands after that.

Also I hadn't really thought about who is in there selling the good/drinks. It's mostly church/scout/community/student groups and they would almost assuredly not be allowed to sell beer.

8/13/2019 9:26:21 PM

Pretty sure you have to be 21 to pour beer into a glass but 18 to serve an already-poured beer to a person, fwiw

8/13/2019 10:40:34 PM

How old to take a can out of a cooler and hand it to a paying customer?

Honestly figured if it was just cans and no bottles they wouldn't even bother pouring it into a cup.

8/14/2019 7:42:14 AM

You must be 21 to consume alcohol in North Carolina, as in all states, but a person may work as a bartender, serve in a restaurant that sells alcohol, and sell spirits in a state-owned store at the age of 18. To sell beer or wine in a retail store, the seller may be of any age.

8/14/2019 8:15:39 AM

so i think taking it out of can into glass would be serving so 18

8/14/2019 8:16:13 AM

the needed upgrades for beer sales are probably security related

8/14/2019 1:32:52 PM

https://247sports.com/college/north-carolina-state/Article/Seth-Williams-NC-State-Football-Scholarship--134347637/

https://247sports.com/college/north-carolina-state/Article/William-Brown-IIIs-selflessness-leads-to-NC-State-scholarship-134445605/

8/14/2019 1:48:11 PM

Can't find it now, but read on twitter that we are losing 2 OL. One (r-Fr) is taking a medical hardship this year, and another (Sr?) is entering the transfer portal.

8/14/2019 2:40:17 PM

They werent breaking into the 2 deep. no worries

8/14/2019 4:30:27 PM

[Edited on August 24, 2019 at 3:15 PM. Reason : packpride doesn't want their premium content posted here]

8/14/2019 4:35:08 PM

[Edited on August 24, 2019 at 3:19 PM. Reason : packpride doesn't want their premium content posted here]

8/14/2019 4:36:19 PM

^How old are those 2 write-ups?

Last I read it sounded like Hockman was really pushing McKay and some even speculated we'd have a Finley/McClendon deal the first game where they alternate getting 2-series each.

I still think McKay makes the most sense with us adding in more RPO and should really help the run game if he can keep defenses honest with his passing.

Also funny that article points out Knight would potentially start when Doeren's latest interview he specifically was asked about Bam and said he had struggled a bit initially in camp but was getting it back together. I'd imagine you'll see Person start with Bam, Pennix, and Houston mixing in, also wouldn't be surprised to see Person and Bam on the field at the same time, particularly with Bam lining up at WR. Bam has mentioned he loved the way we used Hines at RB and WR, so I could see him playing some WR.

Defense seems to be the strength of the team, which while it's a great thing, really makes me a bit concerned. Still not sure if our D is just much improved this year, or if our O is just that much worse that it makes them look better. On paper our D SHOULD be better all-around(outside of Pratt's spot at LB), but feels like we have quite a few new pieces or moving pieces as well as mixing in some 3-3-5.

Starting OL should be solid...little concerned that you might see 3 true FR on the OL 2-deep. It's slightly encouraging that those guys are showing out but that 2018 OL class has proven to be a major letdown with attrition.

8/14/2019 4:54:44 PM

Quote :

"How old are those 2 write-ups"

Well they can't be that old since they've only been practicing for less than 2 weeks. Also every single thing I've read has said McKay is easily the best QB. I think it would be a major surprise to see anyone other than him start and play a majority of the snaps against ECU.

8/14/2019 5:12:35 PM

2 days

8/14/2019 5:30:52 PM

I haven’t read anything that didn’t assume McKay would be the signal caller

8/14/2019 5:57:57 PM

Quote :

"even speculated we'd have a Finley/McClendon deal the first game where they alternate getting 2-series each. "

Whether it’s McKay/Hockman or any other combination, i think it’s a safe bet we see more than 1 QB in weeks 1 and 2.

8/14/2019 8:11:21 PM

I think that's a safe bet, but I don't think it will be any sort of timeshare situation. Maybe they get whoever is 2nd string a series or 2 in the first half just to get their feet wet, but McKay is going to play until the game is hopefully out of hand.

8/14/2019 8:39:07 PM

I think McKay has been solid but I've heard Hockman has been playing great and making up ground. Apparently Hockman was the best QB at the Lift for Live Event, but clearly that doesn't mean much as it was a 7-on-7 scrimmage.

I think McKay starts and Hockman definitely gets some snaps in the first half. Doeren is going to want to see both in live-action and get some tape of both. I doubt he waits until, hopefully, mop up duty to let Hockman run with the 2's.

Really curious to see our "new" offense. Some RPO, less stretch runs, and actually throwing the football to our TE and RBs is going to be nice to see.

8/15/2019 8:05:48 AM

Lord have mercy. I bet every team in the country has an exact replica of that write up above. Everyone is a potential national champion in the preseason.

I am encouraged to see Ingle thriving at safety. I think he has the skill set to develop into a disruptive force, in the mold of a Derwin James type safety, in a year or two. Hopefully he can stop making the same mental mistakes he made last year.

I really don't have high expectations for our offense or defense this year. With inexperience comes mistakes, and we will see our share of it this year. But we seem to be on good track for a to compete for a conference title in 2020 and 2021.

8/15/2019 9:24:48 AM

Quote :

"But we seem to be on good track for a to compete for a conference title in 2020 and 2021."

Trevor Lawrence will still be at Clemson in 2020 so that’s a no. 2021....maybe? I agree that we’re moving and trending in a positive direction. Theoretically in 2021, Clemson could be without Lawrence and it’ll probably be as close to a rebuild year as they’ll have. Plus we play them at home in 2021.

So, saying we could compete for an ACC title in 2020 (or even 2021) is probably a stretch just because clemson is such a monster right now. But I do agree that we’re setting up for potentially strong 2020 and 2021 seasons.

8/15/2019 10:12:28 AM

Did you not see that McKay is elite?

8/15/2019 11:40:02 AM

^^ 2021 is definitely our best shot, and what we are building to. But if we do expect to compete for a title in '21, we will need to show that we can compete with Clemson in '20. I could see '20 setting up much like '17 where we were a missed FG away from a potential division title.

8/15/2019 1:23:14 PM

gotta assume FSU is significantly more formidable by 2020-21 as well. but hell yeah, i like the optimism.

8/15/2019 1:44:25 PM

I actually think 2019 and 2020 are better suited for Clemson to be upset for the ACC Title.

Their recruiting this year is insane, they literally might end up with 4 or 5 of the top 10 players in the entire class. They also have the #1 player(per Rivals) that is also a QB committed for 2020 so I think he'll be the heir apparent to Lawrence.

Honestly, this year and next year, Clemson is arguably 1 injury away from elite to great, but I think if they have to place Brice at QB for over half the year, they'll lose a couple of games. By 2021 they'll have 2 highly-rated QBs that have been on the roster for at least a year and I think their QB depth will be much better than it currently is(with the departure of Cooper, Johnson, and KB). Remember, Clemson likely doesn't beat A&M last year if KB doesn't bail them out and Brice was just enough to beat Cuse(with their elite D).

Not saying it's going to happen, but I do think Clemson is arming themselves up to be a juggernaut soon, and their 1 weakness right now is their depth at QB.

8/15/2019 2:04:34 PM

Quote :

"but hell yeah, i like the optimism."

I was very bearish on Doreen during his first few years (and he still has some fatal flaws that need to be improved), but it is really enjoyable to have a program with a clear plan, which they seem to be following (though last year had some set backs).

^ I'm not really considering where Clemson will be in a few years vs this year, because they are going to be the best team in the conference for the foreseeable future. I am more thinking about what our program is building towards. We have something like 40-50 freshman or RS-freshman on the team. That is absurd, but it shows we are building to their Jr. and Sr. seasons.

8/15/2019 3:05:32 PM

Quote :

"Trevor Lawrence will still be at Clemson in 2020 so that’s a no. 2021....maybe?"

If Vince McMahon gets intelligent individuals to run the new XFL (Oliver luck is the commissioner) and wants to offer Lawrence to be the face of the launch in 2020 (Somewhere in the $1-$2M range) Lawrence would have something to think about, especially if he wins the Heisman this year to go along with his championship. Can't improve draft stock higher than #1, has national championship, has Heisman. IPTAY will have to back up the truck to keep him in that situation. I actually think carving up ex Power 5 all conference players rather than the scrub defensive backs at BC, Wake, NCSU, Ga Tech will probably get him in better shape to take on the speed of the NFL game. Probably will know more by bowl season about the viability of this scenario.

8/15/2019 3:47:47 PM

Quote :

"Not saying it's going to happen, but I do think Clemson is arming themselves up to be a juggernaut soon, and their 1 weakness right now is their depth at QB."

They lack QB depth because every kid knows they won't see the field until 2021. Even so, their backup, Chase Brice, was a higher ranked player in 2017 than Matt McKay based on 247 composite rankings. 247 themselves had him ranked higher than both McKay and Hockman. I personally think their depth is fine. They'll get big-time QBs in both their next recruiting classes in all likelihood to compete with Brice for the job after Lawrence leaves.

[Edited on August 15, 2019 at 3:57 PM. Reason : TL;DR their one "weakness" is still better than us]

8/15/2019 3:56:54 PM

Clemson has 51 freshmen or rs freshmen on their roster. That's just the normal number now.

8/15/2019 4:14:04 PM

^I'm not saying they're devoid of talent, I'm just saying the drop from Lawrence to #2 is huge and if they get to #3 they're starting a true FR.

They have higher end talent with Lawrence without question, but how many snaps do you think Brice is getting with the 1s this camp? Is he getting even 1? Maybe a handful?

At least McKay, Hockman, and Leary are all getting reps with the 1s and I think we could lose our starting QB and it wouldn't be a significant drop-off, at least compared to Clemson's. I see Clemson going undefeated with Lawrence, I do NOT see them going undefeated with Brice for most than 4 or 5 games.

Syracuse has shown the last 2 years the best way to beat Clemson is hope their QBs go out of the game, haha, I just think soon they'll have so much of an advantage in pure talent AND depth that they'll have 5* talent backing up their 5* starters.

Our recruiting/depth is getting better(top 25ish) but they're recruiting/depth is second to none at this point.

8/15/2019 4:19:09 PM

Quote :

"At least McKay, Hockman, and Leary are all getting reps with the 1s and I think we could lose our starting QB and it wouldn't be a significant drop-off, at least compared to Clemson's."

Yeah it's much better to not have a generational talent at QB.

Also McKay is getting most of the starter reps.

8/15/2019 4:20:58 PM

Seriously, do people apply this same logic to Durham Bulls, Carolina Panthers or concerts?

8/15/2019 4:33:02 PM

Clemson is just a machine at this point. Yes, if Lawrence gets hurt then there’s a chance for them to lose. Clemson is as big a juggernaut as Alabama and there’s no end in sight. And they may be an even bigger juggernaut because they’re surrounded by less talented teams in the conference.

The best way to beat a team like that is in a year like 2017. A perfect storm of us having a good D and O, veteran team, playing them at home, and they had the worst QB they’ll have over the course of at least a decade. In 2021 we get them at home, a new QB, we should be deep and have an experienced QB. That’s the type of season where you can knock off a team like Clemson and beat the other teams on your schedule to win the division.

Basically, Clemsons weakness is that they have the best QB in the nation and if he gets hurt they’re still absolutely loaded at every other position.

8/15/2019 4:51:53 PM

^QB injuries are honestly the ONLY reason Syracuse played them close the last 2 years but it's funny that no one seems to remember that when they're hyping Cuse up for this year.

It's pretty astounding how many write-ups I've seen this offseason saying Cuse had a "legit" shot of knocking off Clemson, when I think it's pretty apparent a health Clemson is going to roll the ACC by an average of 21+ a game.

A&M is the only team on their schedule that is even in the same ballpark in terms of talent.

8/15/2019 9:16:03 PM

^yeah, i remember those Cuse games. and i'm agreeing with you that Clemson should beat most teams on their schedule by 21+ points.

i just kinda disagree with your theory that this year is the best year to knock them off.

8/16/2019 6:44:19 AM