In an article containing the hopeful nugget that NC State and USC may resume their storied rivalry, The State reports this oft-rumored terrible news:
If the two-year deal is finalized, the Wolfpack would visit Williams-Brice Stadium in 2008, with USC traveling to Raleigh in ‘09. Vaughn said N.C. State is looking to fill a couple of future dates after a home-and-home series with Tennessee was shelved.
It’s hard for words to express how furious I am at this news. First, I will share some background, in full disclosure of my possible personal bias. My mother grew up in Asheville. When she was young, she attended many games in Neyland Stadium with her father (who died 15-20 years ago). Having heard those stories, I was really looking forward to taking her to see our alma mater play in that storied venue. No doubt many other Wolfpackers (especially those with ties to western NC) were also looking forward to it. And it’s not going to happen.
Beyond the letdown for the fans (not a smart idea gievn the understandable unrest after the pedestrian performances of the last three seasons), it’s also dumb strategically. Because of the region’s strong cultural ties to the Vols, playing (and especially beating) UT would be phenomenal exposure for NC State in western NC. Many of the high school players from Charlotte westward grow up dreaming of the SEC, not the ACC. A strong performance or two could have planted many a seed. And it’s not going to happen.
But wait, you might say. Isn’t it likely that the “big boy” simply backed out on NC State? I can’t be 100% certain, but it’s very, very unlikely. It’s been long rumored (from numerous and disparate sources) that Chuck Amato didn’t want this series on the schedule. Despite the EXTRA non-conference game to pad the W/L record and university coffers, playing the Vols (who have been more bark than bite more often than not of late), still is anathema to Chuck. I doubt Tennessee put up a huge fight to keep us on their docket, as they can schedule pretty much anybody they want. But for NC State, it was a huge, once in a generation kind of opportunity. And it’s not going to happen.
Yes, the “new” ACC is strong. But Miami and VT (the 2 best programs) are in the other division, and we’ll never play them both in the same regular season again (in all likelihood). Last season’s Sagarin rankings put NC State’s schedule strength at 43. Even in the never-to-be-replicated tough schedule of 2004 (games against Miami, VT, and Ohio State), we only checked in with the 27th toughest schedule. A little excitement for September wouldn’t be suicidal, or even unwise. But it’s not going to happen.
The only potential mitigating factor is that we are (thankfully) talking about a home-and-home with an old rival – Spurrier’s South Carolina Gamecocks. But at this stage, it’s just talk. And my cynical brain bets it won’t happen. If we go the SEC route, something tells me Kentucky would be more to Chuck’s liking. Hey, the ACC office already arranged for us to play Pitt twice, in order to make nice with the Big East for stealing all of their thunder. Maybe “you people” should just be happy with that for the next 10 years. Maybe we’ll even voluntarily sign up for more games with the purple-clad riotous mob from Down East! After all, with a 12-game schedule, a Tire or Boise Bowl appearance is possible even with a 2-6 ACC mark! And sadly, that is something that very much might happen.
