Sendek still faces criticism
It's become a rite of winter passage for N.C. State basketball. The first ACC game of the season is at hand, and Wolfpack fans are already skeptical about Herb Sendek's ability to win. Among those in red and white, restlessness and short, cold days run hand-in-mitten.
Tire Bowl may wear quite well
The skeptics, including me, vastly outnumbered the believers when Charlotte got the Tire Bowl. The name alone was good for a few one-liners. You know, the trophy would be a hubcap, and the college football game's logo could be a bouncing check.
Cotchery has rarely been better
In his Orlando hotel room, Jerricho Cotchery woke up with a stomach virus Saturday morning. One of the most successful pass receivers in N.C. State football history isn't one to panic. Never has been. But this was different. The fear that he might miss the final game of his college career hit Cotchery like a head-hunting strong safety.
Future falling to Amato
For N.C. State's football team, today's Tangerine Bowl against Kansas is the final game of the 2003 season. For Wolfpack coach Chuck Amato, it's the last night of a four-year honeymoon.
Bowl system broken
Some of the postseason heavyweights have struggled in recent years to fill their venues.
Pack losses cost Rivers any chance
In reality, the Heisman Trophy slipped beyond Philip Rivers' grasp Sept. 6, the day Wake Forest upset N.C. State's football team. Wake's 38-24 victory came in only the second game of the season, but the message it sent was clear. State, which went into the game ranked 14th, would not be a national contender.
BCS chaos great for bowls, ratings
The BCS is so thoroughly out of kilter that it has doubled the pleasure for ABC television.
Ross would have been better for long term
Let's say the Duke football team somehow manages to go 7-4 next season. How long do you think it would take Ted Roof to accept another head coaching job? My guess is about a week or two after the final game. That's one reason Bobby Ross, rather than Roof, would have been a smarter hire for Duke now.
ACC coaches failed to make the grade
and those about to enter the league -- never found their A games this season. Of the 11 teams that will compete next year, when Miami and Virginia Tech arrive, six began this season with legitimate expectations of top-10 national finishes. Only Florida State and Miami -- ninth and 10th, respectively -- were there at the end of the regular season.
ACC set for influx of talent
Virginia football player Heath Miller has reason to be thankful. So do Georgia Tech's P.J. Daniels, Duke's Chris Douglas and several other members of the All-ACC team that was announced earlier this week.
Keeping Bunting a gamble
It's a strange business this college football. Two coaches on the brink -- North Carolina's John Bunting and Duke interim Ted Roof -- met Saturday in Kenan Stadium. One -- Roof -- gave his school every reason to stick with him. The underdog Blue Devils won, 30-22, giving Roof a 2-3 record in his five-game stint. One of the losses was by a nose against N.C. State.
ACC never has had one better
Philip Rivers is an exception to the rule that any athlete's standing has to be measured first at the win window. Ninety percent of the time, greatness has to be associated with great wins. That's why, in ACC basketball, we always go back to David Thompson and Christian Laettner to begin the pecking order.
RBC Center hasn't paid off for Pack
Maybe it's just me. Maybe I bought too heavily into the sales pitch. Maybe I just expected too much out of bricks, mortar and neon lights. But when N.C. State began playing basketball in the RBC Center four years ago, I thought the building would have a dramatic impact on recruiting. A great building equals great recruiting. I had heard that so long from so many coaches that I figured there had to be something to it.
Bowden deserves better
Clemson football coach Tommy Bowden became emotional when asked about his job status.
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