Tom O'Brien to Replace Amato

Tom O'Brien to Replace Amato

Since Chuck Amato was let go on November 26 I have refrained from writing anything. So, I have a lot to cover and I will back track a bit. However, I will start with the news that is most pertinent to me. And that is that N.C. State has all but hired Boston College's Tom O'Brien as the new head football coach.

I think it is a great hire and I know a lot of Wolfpack fans will disagree with me. That is because Wolfpack nation, for the most part, is ignorant when it comes to building programs. Tom O'Brien is the complete antithesis (that's opposite for my Wolfpack brethren who did not attend the University) of Chuck Amato. Amato did a lot for this program and he has left an indelible mark on the program.

What does O'Brien bring to the program? He brings discipline to start with. Under Amato the Wolfpack was routinely one of the most penalized team in the country. The football program was known more for personal fouls than just about anything else.

O'Brien brings a fresh perspective as well. Chuck Amato had his way of doing things, and that didn't include an offensive identity. The offense progressively got worse as the post-Rivers era progressed. The defense, however, was always good. Even this year, the defense played well enough to win ball games. The offense struggles to score points, in fact they even struggled to make a first down. O'Brien is sure to bring an identity.

Continuity amongst the coaching staff was something that definitely lacked under Amato. It became apparent that Amato wasn't the easiest person to work for. The carousel of assistant coaches led to a carousel of philosophies, especially on the offensive side of the ball. It's hard for 19-22 year olds to win ball games when every year they are adjusting to a new system. O'Brien had most of his staff for at least 4 years while at BC. It also looks as if BC will be heading in a new direction, so much of O'Brien's staff will be available to make their way to Raleigh.'

O'Brien is just what the Dr. ordered. He brings in discipline, an identity and continuity. All of these things will help elevate the Wolfpack program to the next level. There is not a person out there that Lee Fowler could have hired that everyone would be hapy about. So, I know that there will be plenty of O'Brien haters out there. I must say, that when Lee Fowler talks of N.C. State fans, he hits the nail on the head. There is a reason that he and the rest of the athletic department get paid to work there. And there is also a reason why State fans are just that, fans.

Give the man a chance. He is a proven winner. I know his record against the top-25 was no so outstanding. However, that was at BC. He received far less support while in Chestnutt Hill, with a smaller fan base and far less monetary support from the boosters. He was ready to leave there and he wanted to come to Raleigh. There were plenty of jobs out there that he could have been able to get, but he wanted this one. He will take this University to the next level of college football. He is an ACC guy (from his days at Virginia and BC) with head coaching expierence and success. So, just wait until he has coached a game before you pass judgement. And send Lee Fowler a Christmas card, because he just made a great move.

Wake Forest is Flying South for the Winter

As I sat in the stands at Alltel Stadium this past weekend and watched teh Wake Forest Demon Deacons take the ACC Championship I couldn't help but pull for them. This was the third time that I had the opportunity to see the mighty Swiss play in person, and I must say that I have never seen a college football team play that hard.

I never thought that I would see the day that Wake Forest would represent the ACC in the Orange Bowl. The BCS and Wake Forest are two things that I didn't think mixed very well. However, everytime that I picked against them, they proved me wrong. And they did it again Saturday by beating Georgia Tech.

The 'Deacs are an excellent football team. And they deserve all the credit in the world for accomplishing what they did. However, the 'Deac fans need to 'Wake Themselves' and enjoy this for what it is. Yes, the team will be good again next year. Yes, they will play just as hard next year as they did this year. But, no, the conference will not have the same landscape next season as it did this season.

As great of an accomplishment winning the ACC Championship was, it still involved a lot of luck. If you would have told me at the beginning of the year that FSU and Miami would be 6-6, that Va. Tech and Clemson would stumble mid-season, that N.C. State and UNC would be 3-9 and that Ga. Tech would fall flat in the biggest game of the season; then, I would have laughed in your face. And then you told me that Wake Forest would be the only team left standing, then you probably would have had to take me to the hospital.

However, you cannot take it away from them. The title, and $17 million, is theirs to keep. They played better than anyone else this season and found a way to win when the odds seemed stacked against them.

I must say that I am tired of hearing the Wake faithful calling into the radio stations talking about nest year. Next year is next year and another 11-2 season will be tougher to come by than this one. Enjoy it. You still have the Orange Bowl left to play. Next season doesn't matter right now. Go to Miami and watch the Deacons and the Cardinals (sounds like a holy war) play for the Oranges. It should be a great game. And yet another game that the 'Deacs will be 20+ point underdogs. Louisville feels they have something to prove and the 'Deacs should feel no pressure. No one expected them to be there. Everyone expected Louisville to be there. So, my money is on Jim Grobe (if he is still the coach there come January 2, which he probably will be) and his Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Just remember 'Deac fans, don't get ahead of yourselves. We here at N.C. State made that mistake and we just underwent a coaching change.

Florida to Play Ohio State in BCS Championship

Florida passed Michigan in the final BCS pole of the regular season Sunday and earned the right to play for the National Championship. It was a controversial pass, but the right one in my opinion. And here is why.

Michigan lost to Ohio State. Granted it was at OSU and only by 3 points; however, they still lost. Ohio State has already proven that they can beat Michigan. They shouldn't have to do it again. If it were anybody but the holy Michigan or Notre Dame then no one would care.

Michigan is the number 2 team, but unfortunately they are the #2 team in their conference as well. If you don't win your conference championship, then under the current system you shouldn't be allowed to play for the title. Florida won their conference (SEC), the toughest conference in the country.

Florida played high profile games in the last 2 weeks, while Michigan sat at home licking their wounds from the OSU game. Florida beat FSU in a nationally broadcast game and then beat top-10 Arkansas in the SEC Championship this past Saturday.

All that means that Florida deserved it over the Big Blue of Michigan. So, stop your crying Wolverine Nation and go play in the Rose Bowl and prove something. I don't think you will beat USC. So, your claim to a title shot is pretty much a moot point.

I'm calling it right now...Ohio State will be upset by Florida, just like Ohio State upset Miami when everyone said that there was no way that they would. The final score will be Florida 34, Ohio State 31. Happy Bowl Season!!

Photos:
1. http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/35/358628.jpg
2. http://www.fsu.com/media/2003/12/05/oran_bowl_logo_02.jpg
3. http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/12/04/sports/04colleges1.span.jpg