Tobacco Road is up for grabs. And the Pack is suddenly in contention.

By Rich Cirminiello | @RichCirminiello

NC State rebounded in timely fashion in Dave Doeren’s second season in Raleigh, improving by five wins over the previous year. It could be the start of a new direction for a program that’s long struggled to escape the soft midsection of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Doeren’s kids took care of business last September, hit a rough patch in October, but closed with routs of rivals Wake Forest and North Carolina, and a bowl win over UCF. It’s that final kick to 2014 on which the Wolfpack is hoping to build a little further this fall.

Doeren didn’t just finish strong in 2014. He’s also out of the gate quickly in 2015, assembling a terrific recruiting class that fulfilled the desire to bring some of the state’s best and brightest to Raleigh. Nyheim Hines, Reggie Gallaspy II and Darian Roseboro are more than just blue-chippers; they’re symbols of where this program hopes to be heading in the coming years.

Now, Doeren and his staff are aiming to assimilate all of the young talent with the holdovers responsible for the current three-game winning streak and unmistakable positive vibe.

QB Jacoby Brissett is back for his second—and final—season with the Wolfpack. He’ll be the centerpiece of an attack determined to run the ball with authority, while burning opposing defenses that react by stacking the box. Think poor man’s version of Urban Meyer’s Ohio State.

The NC State offense has a chance to be special. The defense, however, could be a liability. The Pack lost all four games with ranked opponents by double-digits in 2014, with the D being the most glaring culprit. If this unit can make even small strides, the bottom line impact will be profound.

State hired Doeren to escape the mediocrity of the Tom O’Brien era. So far, so good. Doeren has elevated the Wolfpack in ways that transcend the simplicity of records and standings. But now is the time to begin peaking around the corner, building off the momentum of the past six months and legitimately vying for the spot behind Florida State and Clemson in the ACC pecking order.

Confidence is soaring at NC State, which has designs on being the next Wake Forest or Duke out of the Tar Heel State, emerging from relative obscurity into a league contender.

What you need to know about the offense: The ground-inspired spread is off and running under Dave Doeren and his coordinator, Matt Canada. And the best may be just up ahead for the Wolfpack. The Pack experienced some hiccups in 2014, but closed on a tear and averaged 30 points for the first time since 2010. Now, the program plans to take another step forward, with QB Jacoby Brissett spearheading the charge. Brissett is poised for the kind of breakout senior season that attracts NFL scouts’ attention. And he’ll get plenty of help in the backfield from Shadrach Thornton, uber-versatile Matt Dayes and ballyhooed rookie Reggie Gallaspy II, who rushed for 131 yards in the spring game. Where there’s a need for improvement is in the passing game. Not only must Brissett smooth out the wrinkles as a pocket passer, but a new starting left tackle and a few reliable receivers other than TE David Grinnage have to emerge. Since last year’s leading receiver, Bo Hines, transferred to Yale, it’s incumbent upon juniors Bra’Lon Cherry, Johnathan Alston and Jumichael Ramos to develop into legitimate go-to targets for Brissett.

What you need to know about the defense: The Pack D improved incrementally under Dave Huxtable in 2014, but not quite enough. The unit was fine against average opponents, yet downright miserable against the quality ones. And while the staff is not without talented individual cogs, it’s got to find a way to get them working together as a cohesive, fundamentally-sound ensemble. There’s undeniable upside and hope at every level, emanating from the likes of DE Mike Rose, CB Jack Tocho and FS Hakim Jones. The 2015 edition, though, will be defined on how much of an impact comes from underclassmen and wild cards, such as now-healthy LB M.J. Salahuddin. Tackles Kentavius Street and B.J. Hill, linebackers Jerod Fernandez and Airius Moore and SS Josh Jones are all sophomores with considerable room for growth. If Huxtable and his assistants can bring out the best in the young kids, NC State will have a shot to gradually advance as the season unfolds.

What to look for on offense: Manning the flanks. The Pack is solid inside the tackles, including the entire backfield and the interior linemen. But the attack is retooling on the edges, at left tackle and wide receiver. State is breaking in a new blindside protector, likely redshirt freshman Tyler Jones, and must replace its top receiver for a fifth year in a row. The staff loves the potential of junior Bra’Lon Cherry, and Johnathan Alston and Jumichael Ramos are experienced. However, the receivers have a lot to prove after rising Bo Hines chose to transfer to Yale.

What to look for on defense: Street smart. Wholesale changes along the D-line means opportunities for former Pack backups in 2015. One player who’s set to take advantage is sophomore Kentavius Street, the blue-chip recruit making a move from end to tackle this offseason. He’s been dominant at times since the end of last year, including in the weight room. Street’s ceiling, combined with the return of B.J. Hill and return to health of Monty Nelson, means State could be real disruptive from the interior for coordinator Dave Huxtable.

This team will be much better if… the defense stiffens on third downs. When the Wolfpack stumbled in the middle of last season, it was the D, in particular, that failed the program. Against Florida State, Clemson, BC, Louisville and Georgia Tech, State yielded an average of 42 points. And in those losses, it got exposed on third downs, allowing nearly two-thirds to be converted. The offense will have pop in 2015, but now it’s up to the defense to step forward versus the tougher opponents on the schedule.

The Schedule: The Wolfpack aren’t really extending themselves in non-conference play with Troy, Eastern Kentucky, Old Dominion and South Alabama making for a 4-0 September.
– Beating Louisville in the ACC opener is a must with four of the next five games on the road including dates at Virginia Tech, Boston College and Florida State.
– North Carolina might be a rivalry game, but it’s still a not-that-bad home date to close out after hosting Syracuse. Basically, survive the midsection of the season, and the record should be great.
– Even with the light non-conference games, State has to go on the road for six games in eight dates.
– WATCH OUT FOR … State not rolling through the four non-conference layups. 4-0 should be a lock, but there might be a fight along the way against a decent Eastern Kentucky – remember, it’s hard to focus on games like this – and Old Dominion and South Alabama will be jacked up for their respective home games.

Best Offensive Player: Senior QB Jacoby Brissett. After sitting out 2013 following a transfer from Florida, and debuting in Raleigh in 2014, Brissett is ready to become one of the ACC’s premier all-around quarterbacks. He’s close to the total package at the position, from his size and his athleticism to his approach to the game. And with another full offseason to work with Dave Doeren, Brissett has looked more seasoned, and the game is beginning to slow down for him when he sets his feet in the pocket.

Best Defensive Player: Senior DE Mike Rose. It’s a salary run year for Rose, and the Wolfpack defense will be the biggest beneficiary. He’s coming off a terrific, albeit unheralded junior season, and will be the centerpiece of a defensive line that has substantial upside potential. And while Rose proved to be a very effective pass rusher in 2014, he’s also thick enough at 6-3 and 277 pounds to plug holes in run defense at the line of scrimmage.

Key player to a successful season: Redshirt freshman LT Tyler Jones. No one in Raleigh is more important this season than QB Jacoby Brissett. And Jones is being tabbed to protect his backside just two years after graduating from Stephenson (Ga.) High School. While the program really likes his potential and his agile feet, he’s yet to play a snap at this level. Brissett can improvise and make something out of nothing, but his growth as a passer will be stifled if opposing defenders are constantly entering his rear-view mirror.

The season will be a success if … the Wolfpack wins no fewer than nine games. Dave Doeren has NC State heading in the right direction with a bullet, and the schedule will do little to stifle progress. The Pack should be 4-0, with a head of steam entering ACC play, after opening with Troy, Eastern Kentucky, Old Dominion and South Alabama. And tough tests with Louisville and Clemson will be staged at Carter-Finley Stadium. If State can build off last year’s finish, it has a shot to be one of this season’s upstarts in the conference.

Key game: Oct. 3 vs. Louisville. NC State exploded out of the gate versus a weak non-conference slate in 2014, too. But then the Pack got exposed when the schedule became more challenging. If the 2015 version is truly going to be a different team, a more evolved team, it has to solve quality opponents. And if State is unable to hold serve at home versus the Cardinals, it can also forget about ascending beyond the ACC midsection this season.

2014 Fun Stats:
– Rushing yards per game: NC State 204.5 – Opponents 168.4
– Interceptions: NC State 6 – Opponents 10
– Red-zone touchdown%: NC State 73% – Opponents 60%

Players You Should Watch

1. QB Jacoby Brissett, Sr.
There were flashes of brilliance in Brissett’s first season since transferring from Florida. The Pack now wants to see more consistency from a quarterback who’s fitting in nicely in Dave Doeren’s offensive attack. Brissett possesses a rare mix of measurables, a powerful 6-4, 235-pounder, with the footwork to hurt defenses when he leaves the pocket. He rushed for 763 pre-sack yards and three scores, while completing 221-of-370 passes for 23 touchdowns and five interceptions. And if he can be steadier in the pocket, it’s going to have a profound impact on the rest of the team in 2015.

2. DE Mike Rose, Sr.
Rose was a well-kept secret in 2014, but that can’t possibly continue throughout this upcoming season. Playing on a line full of proven veterans, Rose stood out a year ago with 47 tackles, a team-leading 15 stops for loss, five sacks and three forced fumbles. That he got zero All-ACC attention can only be explained by a complete lack of notoriety when the season began. At 6-3 and 277 pounds, Rose is effective standing up or with his hand in the dirt, and his suddenness off the snap will again be a major headache for opposing tackles this fall.

3. RB Shadrach Thornton, Sr.
Dave Doeren wants to establish the running game with his Wolfpack. Thornton is at the head of the line to make sure that his coach’s wish comes true. The underrated senior now ranks No. 10 in school history after rushing for a team-high 907 yards and nine touchdowns on 164 carries. He also caught 15 passes for 133 yards and a score. The 6-1, 205-pound Thornton does a lot of little things well, and his determination and leg drive bring an infectious energy to the rest of the offense.

4. CB Jack Tocho, Jr.
Tocho is one of NC State’s budding defensive stars, with a chance to play his way into NFL consideration over the next two seasons. A starter since midway through his 2013 rookie year, he’s gotten progressively more comfortable in man situations. And he plays bigger than 6-0 and 198 pounds, bouncing off the turf to bat away balls intended for taller wide receivers. Tocho registered 40 tackles and a Pack-best dozen pass breakups last year, en route to being named the program’s Defensive Back of the Year.

5. RB Matt Dayes, Jr.
Dayes may not be the feature back in Raleigh, but he sure is one of the most versatile members of the Wolfpack program. He ranked No. 8 in ACC all-purpose yardage, rushing for 573 yards and eight scores on 104 carries, catching 32 balls for 321 yards and five more touchdowns and even contributing on special teams. Named State’s Most Valuable Offensive Player, the 5-9, 203-pound Dayes will use his speed and elusiveness to school defenders in the open field.

6. LB Jerod Fernandez, Soph.
When injuries crushed the Pack’s depth at middle linebacker, Fernandez seized the opportunity and became a cornerstone of the D. The job was supposed to belong to M.J. Salahuddin until a preseason knee injury shut him down. Fernandez leapt up the depth chart, started 10 games and ended up second on the team with 78 stops. The 6-0, 231-pounder is poised beyond his years, and his nose for the ball will serve him well again in 2015.

7. S Hakim Jones, Sr.
The Pack’s durable and steady performer out of the secondary has started every game of the last two seasons. Jones brings experience, length and tremendous athleticism to a defensive backfield that covets his broad skill set. The 6-2, 200-pound freelancer from centerfielder made a smooth transition from strong safety to free safety, collecting a team-best 80 tackles. However, he had no picks, sacks or forced fumbles, which the staff hopes will change in his final year of eligibility.

8. DT B.J. Hill, Soph.
Hill is about to become a microcosm of the future for the front line of the Wolfpack defense. He really started to come along in his first season out of West Stanly (N.C.) High school, starting five of the final six games. The up-and-coming 6-4, 294-pounder ended up being named the team’s Freshman of the Year by collecting 40 tackles, 7.5 stops for loss and 1.5 sacks. Hill moves well for his size, and will continue to evolve as his technique improves.

9. TE David Grinnage, Jr.
Grinnage continues to surprise in Raleigh. Despite being built like an offensive tackle, the 6-5, 274-pounder has shown tremendous range to his game. Sure, the Pack’s 2014 Most Improved Player is like having a sixth lineman on the field on running downs. But he also caught 27 passes for 358 yards and five touchdowns, flashing strength of body and hands. Grinnage has on an All-ACC trajectory, particularly since State is a little light on proven wide receivers entering 2015.

10. S Josh Jones, Soph.
In Jones, the Pack appears to have a fixture at strong safety for the next three years. He broke into the lineup for half of his debut season, finishing with 56 tackles, a team-high four interceptions and 11 passes defended. The staff is particularly excited by Jones’ size, physicality and versatility. Despite being a thick 6-2, 215-pounder, he still proved to be effective in pass coverage.