Head Coach: Chuck Amato
2003 Record: 8-5

Team MVP: When T.A. McLendon is healthy, he is one of the best backs in the ACC. In his first two seasons for the Wolfpack, he has failed to stay healthy and it has hurt the offense. Not only is he a solid running threat, he is a valuable pass catcher out of the backfield.

Quarterback: Having to replace a quarterback of Philip Rivers caliber isn’t going to be easy. He helped make the Wolfpack offense one of the best in the country and now there is going to be some drop-off without him. Vying to replace him are freshman Marcus Stone and junior Jay Davis. Davis is more experienced within the system, but Stone has the better tools to succeed at quarterback. Look for Davis to start early on, but Stone is going to get some playing time.

Running Back/Fullbacks: With a new quarterback taking over in the offense, establishing the running game will be crucial. If the offense can get the running game going, that will help take the pressure off of the quarterbacks. T.A. McLendon is the undisputed number one back, but has to stay healthy. If he has to miss anytime, Josh Brown will fill-in. McLendon should be an All-ACC back if he stays healthy.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: Even with the loss of top receiver Jerricho Cotchery, the receiving corps look solid. Tramain Hall, Brian Clark, Richard Washington and Sterling Hicks are all capable receivers. Hall caught 69 passes for 799 yards and seven touchdowns last season and will be the top target in 2004. Tight end T.J. Williams should continue to be a big target as he caught 28 passes for 444 yards and three touchdowns last season.

Offensive Line: Expect a solid season out of the offensive line. The unit is very experienced with three starters returning as seniors. Leroy Harris and Derek Morris are only sophomores and showed potential last season. Harris will develop into a top ACC lineman with more experience. Chris Colmer, Jed Paulsen and Ricky Fowler will anchor this line. Colmer missed all of last season, but is ready to step back in.

Defensive Line: As a freshman last season, Mario Williams tallied 56 tackles and five sacks. Expect him to have an even bigger season as he gains more experience. Defensive tackle John McCargo, another sophomore, will continue to improve as well. Also, the Wolfpack added a big time recruit in DeMario Pressley at defensive end. The defense wasn’t very good last season, but they should get better. Look for the defensive line to be much improved.

Linebackers: With all three starters returning from last season’s starting defense, look for the linebackers unit to be one of the best in the ACC. Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay, Oliver Hoyte and Patrick Thomas all return. Last season, Thomas finished second on the team with 130 tackles and tallied a team high eight sacks. Overall, this unit is very solid and they will have another big season.

Secondary: Last season, the Wolfpack slipped in pass coverage and was that contributed to the monster games opposing teams had against them. It was surprising to see the pass defense slip so much with the talent the Wolfpack had returning. Expect the pass defense to be much better as three starters return, including leading tackler Andre Maddox. Last season, he tallied 145 tackles. Also returning will be Lamont Reid and safety Troy Graham.

Special Teams: The special teams are a cause for concern with the Wolfpack coaches going into the season. The loss of kicker Adam Kiker and punter Austin Herbert leaves the team without an experienced player at either position. The leading candidate to replace Kiker is John Deraney and at punter Tyler Lewis or John Deraney will get the first shot. Returns shouldn’t be a problem with Tramain Hall and Lamont Reid returning. Hall returned two punts for touchdowns last season.

Final Thoughts: Since Chuck Amato came to N.C. State, they have emerged as a force in recruiting and have a chance to move to the upper tier of the ACC. Last season, the Wolfpack had a disappointing 8-5 finish and now they must replace record setting quarterback Philip Rivers. Whether it is Jay Davis or Marcus Stone, the quarterback has a solid cast of players around him and needs to stay away from turnovers. Defensively, new coordinator Reggie Herring will get more aggressive with the schemes and as a result, the defense will be better. Overall, the Wolfpack should get back to a bowl game, but the schedule is tough and breaking in a new quarterback won’t be easy.

-- Steve Lassan