North Carolina State Team Breakdown

Returning starters: Offense: 7, Defense: 5, Punter/Kicker: 1

QB Russell Wilson back to slinging the pigskin.

Quarterback – Starter Russell Wilson (pictured right, SMI) missed all of spring football to play baseball. In his absence, Mike Glennon impressed coach Tom O’Brien and completed 21 of 38 passes for 423 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in the Pack’s spring game. As long as Wilson picks up where he left off in 2009, it should be his job to lose. Wilson had nearly three times as many touchdown passes as picks (31 to 11) last season. He also threw 379 passes without a pick, which broke the old mark of 325. I think this team is going through some turmoil with all of the offseason distractions (arrests) so watch for them to have a slow start and then pick up their performance about midseason. Wilson will not come close to 30+ TDs this year.

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After four fantasy college football drafts in the last two weeks, I reflect back and realize that there are still many who are not up to date on suspensions/injuries and some of the other basics. As a result, here is one handy post with useful links (mostly from FCB, but not all) as you prepare for what I like to call “National Fantasy College Football Draft Day” on Saturday August 29.

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The 2009 season saw a broad toning down of scoring and offensive statistics in the Big 12 compared to the frenzied shootouts of 2008 and to some extent 2007. 2010 looks to be a continuation of that trend, as the conference has lost its top two quarterbacks and most of its top receivers. Additionally, the defenses that improved in 2009 appear to be similarly strong in 2010.

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Fantasy College Blitz again represents Oklahoma State in the SB Nation Blogpoll Top 25, “a transparent, authentic weekly college football poll. More than 100 of the most knowledgeable college football bloggers representing fans from virtually every rooting interest align weekly to rank the Top 25 college football teams. Every ballot is available for review.”

I put little weight on preseason polls since there is so much complexity involved not only week to week but then trying to prognosticate said complexity over the course of an entire season. That has nothing to do with the fun and discussion that results from the exercise.

Every year around draft time, players get hyped as “the next big thing”, the “big breakout star of 2010” or even a “must-have”. Well, someone has to play Debbie Downer, so here are five names that may underperform your expectations during the upcoming season.

Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd is a true offensive playmaker who has skills for the next level.  However, there are two glaring reasons why you need to temper expectations for this season. The first is the absence of a proven, starting quarterback. Jimmy Clausen is gone and with doubt as to the true leader of the Irish attack, Floyd may struggle at times to develop chemistry with the new signal caller. The second major issue is that Golden Tate is now in the NFL, not taking coverage away from Floyd. WR Kyle Rudolph will surely attract attention, however, not having Tate to cover will allow defenses to key more on Floyd. He will have a solid season, but it may be best to draft him as a WR2.
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