Similar to last week’s round-up, I wanted to post some the highlights from the week.  We got a glimpse of some shaping, the NFL draft beginning, and some cross words from Fedora.  Also, don’t forget that NC State has a series with Duke beginning at 6:30pm tonight!  Lots of good all around.

MAINSTREAM

N&O: DeCock: A Completely Different Spring Football Game For NC State

Very different.  Perhaps the most notably, N.C. State has depth on both sides of the line, even on defense, where at one point the 8-5 Wolfpack was forced to play a walk-on transfer from Campbell last year.

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Most of the questions focus on linebacker, where Cole, Manning, and Dwayne Maddox have all moved on and lone returning starter D.J. Green is suspended.  Five players are likely to share the majority of snaps there Saturday, but one potential - even likely - target isn’t even on campus yet.

N&O: UNC Coach Fedora Already Thinking About N. C. State Rivalry

Fedora instantly showed he was aware of the importance of the first game he’ll coach against the Wolfpack.

“It’s 184 days from today,” he said.

And, about the significance of the rivalry, Fedora said, “There’s going to be an emphasis.”  And then it became interesting.  After talking about the Wolfpack for a brief moment, Fedora stopped himself.  “I don’t want to talk about [the rivalry] too much because I don’t want to legitimize their program,” he said.

News and Record: Fact Check: State-Carolina Football

Not exactly the resumes of nationally relevant programs.

As best we can tell, one program is as legitimate as the other. And also as best we can tell, each is still waiting to start winning football games at a truly high level.

Instead of two junior high boys comparing the sizes of their muscles, they might want to start beating up somebody. Somebody who matters

BLOGOSPHERE

Riddick & Reynolds (@RnR_NCSU): Three Reasons Why The Apparel Deal With “Three Stripes” Is A Good One

A four-year contract is short enough to provide State greater flexibility and leverage to capitalize on the anticipated increase in positive momentum the program continues to build. Word is Yow had pushed for a three-year term; adidas hoped for a six-year term. This four-year term gives State ample time to build its brand through (fingers-crossed) greatly improved basketball performance, coupled with consistent good-to-very-good football performance and improved baseball success.

Backing The Pack (@akulawolf): Playoffs Are Coming To Major College Football In 2014

There’s still a lot that needs to be ironed out, like where to play the games and how to select the teams that make the playoffs, but now that the “status quo is off the table,” it does not look like anything is going to get in the way of a new playoff format come 2014. It’s about damn time.

Backing The Pack (@akulawolf): Child Please

From @akulawolf

Pulse of the Pack (@PulseofthePack): NC State Set To Face Duke This Weekend [baseball]

No. 19 N.C. State will be hosting the Duke Blue Devils in a three game ACC series this weekend at Doak Field.

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With an outstanding starting pitching staff including Ethan Ogburn, Carlos Rodon, and Logon Ratledge which boasts an ERA of under three, the Wolfpack should expect a sweep of Duke this weekend.

Have a good weekend and GO STATE!