This look at the North Carolina St. Wolfpack was provided by Alula Wolf from Backing the Pack.

What has happened this off season to excite the N.C State fan base regarding the 2010 football season?

Linebacker Nate Irving is back from a car crash last summer that he was lucky to survive.  He missed all of 2009, which left the defense without a big impact, All-ACC player--and this program was hardly in a position to replace him without feeling the burn.  He's not 100%, may not be at any point this season.  He should be a big help to the defense anyway.

And Russell Wilson will be back even though the Colorado Rockies scared the heck out of everyone by selecting him in the 4th round of the 2010 MLB draft.

What can we expect from the offensive line, which is one of the least-exprienced groups in the ACC?  Who, if anyone, is going to emerge as a reliable contributor at running back?  Will the secondary be less swiss-cheese-and-scotch-tape in nature, or should we divorce ourselves of sharp objects ahead of time?  Is it at all possible for less than half of the roster to get injured?

Looking at the big picture, NC State's got a tough road this year.  The non-conference slate includes Cincinnati and road trips to Central Florida and East Carolina.  In addition to our standard divisional slate (FSU, Clemson, BC, Maryland, Wake Forest), we've got Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, and North Carolina.  Those three could very well be the best teams in the Coastal Divison.

Because of the schedule, it's possible that NC State improves this season but doesn't see that improvement reflected in the win column.  If that ends up the case--if we limp to another 5-6 win year--what's that going to mean for Tom O'Brien?  I think his job is safe, but if he doesn't believe in make-or-break seasons today, he will in one year's time.

Tough to complain about it considering NC State has yet to prove anything other than mediocre under Tom O'Brien.  Between the schedule and the problems on the defensive side of the ball, there's little reason to expect anything different in 2010.  That said, I AM OUTRAGED.

A lot of points.  While there are lingering doubts at offensive line and running back, the rest of the offense is in good shape.  Russell Wilson insists to anyone who asks that he will set baseball aside and be back under center this fall. 

Owen Spencer averaged more than 25 yards per catch last season, often electrified with long receptions, and would be an easy 1000-yard guy if NC State could figure out how to get him the ball more often.  Jarvis Williams caught 45 passes and scored 11 TDs last season.  George Bryan is probably the best pass-catching tight end in the ACC.  Darrell Davis is a modest but steady contributor at receiver.  TJ Graham hasn't put all the tools together but has the speed to kill.  They're all back.

NC State's defense will be an issue no matter how good Nate Irving is.  Points for everyone!

Since the changeover is happening in the middle of summer, I can't imagine it's having a huge effect, but you'd have to ask the coaches.  The new AD, Debbie Yow, met with the football staff Friday morning, assured Tom O'Brien that he's "her guy."  Yow's been doing this for a long time, so I expect she'll have the rest of the department's coaches on the same page once she's settled.

Thank you Alula Wolf for taking the time to provide this look inside the Wolfpack camp! For more on the Wolfpack check out Backing the Pack

Now for some BCS numbers.

Head Coach: Ralph Friedgen (Tenth Year)
Offensive Coordinator: James Franklin (Third Year)
Defensive Coordinator: Don Brown (Second year)

BCS numbers:

Schedule: Strength #48

What was the schedule like last year?