College Football Opening Week 2009

Lawrence Jordan: College football season is finally set to open this week and here at TheONH we could not be more excited. Let's check around NC to breifly check in (listed in no particular order):

1 & 2. UNC/NCSU are each coming off bowl seasons and are ready to establish themselves as "The Program" in the state, a term Tom O'Brien so eloquently introduced after last year. The Pack jumps right into the mix hosting the Gamecocks in an ACC/SEC battle over recruiting rights. UNC also plays a school from the inferior state of SC, that just so happened to beat the Gamecocks last time they played (38-35 in 1990).
PT: The ‘state supremacy’ battle will be a common theme all year. But how can you discount what O’Brien said last season. Remember he was 4-0 against the rest of the state.
LJ: I'm not discounting - I'm glad he said it. It's about time there was some civilized disagreement between Raleigh/Chapel Hill. Bunting/Amato stomping and pointing at each other before the games was embarrassing more than anything. NCSU has bragging rights due to its wins, but how do you explain the fact that UNC/NCSU had 6 shared opponents last year: UNC was 4-2. NCSU was 3-3? LINK.

3. Wake Forest is still in the midst of one of their University's greatest runs in football program history and has more FBS wins than any other school in the state over the past three years. "Switzerland," as the local afternoon radio station so affectionately calls them, is far from neutral on the subject.
PT: Wake should once again field a solid team despite some major losses on the defensive side if the ball. Would not be shocked at all if the fall to Baylor this weekend.

4. Duke has more talent than in recent memory and David Cutcliffe, with the Mannings' endorsement, is starting to win games in and out of Wallace Wade. Oh how I wish they had Syracuse on their schedule...
PT: Duke is getting better, but how could they have gotten worse. What if Paulus plays better than their current group of QBs?

5. ECU wants it's piece of the pie and is gaining recognition in the national media. They received more votes in the preseason poll than did NCSU. ECU packs in a good schedule this year with WVU, UNC, and VT on the docket. The Pirates open up this week with fellow ONH'er Appalachian St.: who's proven they are not afraid of the big boys.
PT: ECU, where are those “BCS Bound” t-shirts you were wearing in Raleigh last season? Please enjoy the Liberty Bowl this season.

6. Appalachian State, with its 3 FCS National Titles, used the national recognition garnered through its legendary upset of Michigan in the Big House to continue its golden era of football under Jerry Moore. With the aforementioned Michigan win and its trip to LSU last year, Appalachian will not be intimidated to open in Greenville, NC.
PT: Sorry App St. fans, I do not cover high school football...

Games this week:

• NSCU vs South Carolina Thurs. @ 7 pm
• UNC vs Citadel Sat @ 6 pm
• WFU vs Baylor Sat @ 3:30 pm
• Duke vs Richmond Sat @ 7 pm
• ECU vs App State Sat @ 12 pm