All-Carolina Poll: App State can no longer claim ‘next-best’ team in North Carolina
For many years, NC State fans have complained about their football team’s schedule in September. They’ve lamented the number of noon kickoffs in suffocating heat. They’ve pined for a night game at Carter-Finley Stadium, and for a chance to tailgate all day before kickoff.
And so what a cruel twist that it finally happened on Saturday, when no one could experience it. The Wolfpack finally got a night game, and it’d have been difficult to conjure a more beautiful night. Clear skies. A cool temperature. And, of course, 55,000 empty seats at Carter-Finley.
Next year, or whenever we’re on the other side of this, you can bet that State’s regularly appointed noon kickoffs will commence again, and undoubtedly on 90-degree days. That’s just the way it works.
Another thing to note: Good on the governor for reversing his decision and allowing parents to be able to attend games in person at stadiums in North Carolina. Never made much sense that they wouldn’t be allowed inside places with tens of thousands of seats, and plenty of room to spread out.
Of course, in South Carolina, that hasn’t been a problem. We made it to the back half of September, folks, and they’re still playing. South Carolina and ECU: Welcome to the season. And welcome to Week 2 of the All-Carolinas poll:
1. Clemson (2-0, 1-0 ACC)
Previous ranking: 1
Last week: W vs. Citadel 49-0
Up next: vs. Virginia, Oct. 3
Trouble in paradise? After an impressive first half on Saturday, the Tigers were shut out in the second against Citadel, suggesting that perhaps something is amiss in Death Valley. (We’re kidding, dear reader.)
2. North Carolina (1-0, 1-0 ACC)
Previous ranking: 2
Last week: Off
Up next: at Boston College, Oct. 3
First, Charlotte had to cancel on Saturday. Then UNC couldn’t find an opponent for this Saturday. The challenges of trying to play football in a pandemic and, for the Tar Heels, an extended break.
3. South Carolina (0-0)
Previous ranking: 5
Last week: Off
Up next: vs. Tennessee, Saturday
The Gamecocks are one of the big risers this week in the All-Carolinas poll ... despite not having yet played a game. That changes (we’re pretty sure) on Saturday.
4. N.C. State (1-0, 1-0 ACC)
Previous ranking: 6
Last week: W vs. Wake Forest, 45-42
Up next: at Virginia Tech, Saturday
The Wolfpack didn’t score more than 26 points in any ACC game last year, and often didn’t come close to scoring that many. So, encouraging to see what the offense did against Wake if you’re a State fan. But the defense, and particularly the secondary?
5. Appalachian State (1-1)
Previous ranking: 3
Last week: L at Marshall, 17-7
Up next: vs. Campbell, Saturday
No shame in going on the road (even if road games aren’t exactly as challenging these days) and losing to Marshall. Just harder now to argue App is clearly better than every state school outside of UNC. Sorry App fans — them’s the rules, as they say.
6. Wake Forest (0-2, 0-2 ACC)
Previous ranking: 7
Last week: L at NC State, 45-42
Up next: vs. Notre Dame, Saturday
Good game, good effort from the Demon Deacons in Raleigh, especially after falling into a deep hole early, but — and this is the sort of analysis you come here for — it’s going to be hard to win giving up 500 yards per game. (Small sample size noted.)
7. Duke (0-2, 0-2 ACC)
Previous ranking: 4
Last week: L vs. Boston College, 26-6
Up next: at Virginia, Saturday
Seems like just yesterday the Blue Devils were coming off an inspired 14-point loss in a moral victory at Notre Dame, but now there is much woe after a decidedly dreadful defeat against Boston College. What to make of Duke after two games?
8. Coastal Carolina (2-0)
Previous ranking: 8
Last week: W vs. Campbell 43-21
Up next: vs. Arkansas State, Oct. 3
Two games in and it’s still hard to know a lot about Coastal after easy victories against Campbell and ... Kansas, which they tell us is still a member of the Big 12.
9. East Carolina (0-0)
Previous ranking: 10
Last week: Off
Up next: vs. UCF, Saturday
ECU hasn’t beaten UCF since 2015, and it’s doubtful that changes this weekend. But how close can the Pirates keep it? They’ve lost the past four against UCF by an average of 25 points.
10. Charlotte (0-1)
Previous ranking: 9
Last week: Off
Up next: vs. Georgia State, Saturday
Would’ve been fun to see the 49ers try to keep it close at UNC on Saturday but, alas. That’s 2020 for you. Here’s to good health the rest of the way.
This story was originally published September 21, 2020 at 11:09 AM.
