NC State football fan survey results: Wolfpack’s MVP, Philip Rivers as a coach and more
It’s game week for NC State football, which opens the 2023 season Thursday at UConn.
Based on the results of a USA TODAY Sports survey, Wolfpack fans are optimistic about what can be accomplished this year. From NC State’s MVP, its most important position group and thoughts on head coach Dave Doeren’s successor, fans gave their predictions on the state of the Pack.
Here are the results of the fan survey.
Who will be NC State football’s MVP?
New quarterback Brennan Armstrong picked up 64.3% of the vote to be the Wolfpack’s MVP in his first season with the program. Armstrong broke single-season records at Virginia with 4,449 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2021 with offensive coordinator Robert Anae. A pair of veteran defenders – cornerback Aydan White and linebacker Payton Wilson – also picked up votes.
QUESTIONS THAT NEED ANSWERS: 3 unanswered NC State football questions we have as UConn week arrives
GAME-BY-GAME PICKS: Is NC State football being underrated in the ACC? Our game-by-game predictions
BOLD PREDICTIONS: Bold predictions for NC State football in 2023 season
Who will be NC State’s breakout player?
Fans say freshman wide receiver Kevin Concepcion and sophomore running back Michael Allen are in line to shine for the Wolfpack’s offense. Allen picked up more than 42% of the votes, followed by Conception at 38%. Allen played in the final seven games of the 2022 season, finishing with 53 carries for 268 yards. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry. Concepcion, a Charlotte native, is listed as a starting wide receiver on NC State’s Week 1 depth chart.
What’s the most important position group for NC State?
It’s clear Wolfpack fans are focused on the offensive line, which picked up more than 81% of the votes in this category. NC State will reportedly be without Oregon transfer and potential starting guard Dawson Jaramillo for the 2023 season. Anthony Belton, Anthony Carter Jr., Dylan McMahon, Derrick Eason and Timothy McKay are listed as starters on the Week 1 depth chart. State was 56th nationally with 26 sacks allowed in 2022.
How confident are you that NC State's offense will improve in 2023?
Nearly 62% of fans are very confident NC State’s offense will be better this season under offensive coordinator Robert Anae. The Wolfpack was 94th in the nation in points per game out of 131 FBS teams in 2022.
Following Dave Doeren’s tenure, who would you want as the next head coach?
Dave Doeren, who is entering his 11th season with the Wolfpack, said at ACC Kickoff in July that he would like to one day retire in Raleigh after being a longtime coach of the Pack. Defensive coordinator Tony Gibson was the top pick (35%) by fans to replace Doeren. During his time with the Pack, Gibson has helped the program consistently field some of the top defenses in the nation. Former NC State star and longtime NFL quarterback Philip Rivers was second in the voting at 28.5%.
How many games will NC State win in the regular season?
NC State has a good chance to win eight or more games for a fourth straight season, according to 65% of fans. Just over 35% of fans believe the Wolfpack will win between 5 to 8 games. The Wolfpack will play three of its toughest games – No. 13 Notre Dame, No. 9 Clemson and No. 21 UNC – at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: NC State football: Wolfpack fans talk Brennan Armstrong, Philip Rivers
