In his weekly press conference, N.C. State football coach Chuck Amato placed the state of his football team into a well-known historical context by quoting Notre Dame legend Knute Rockne. "We need to win one at home," Amato said. "Win one for the gipper."
This famous quote from college football lore sets the tone for Saturday's important game between Virginia (3-4, 2-3 ACC) and N.C. State (3-3, 1-3 ACC) in Raleigh. Both teams are desperately are in need of a win to keep any bowl aspirations alive.
"I think this game could make it more difficult - if we lose - to make it a respectable season," Virginia coach Al Groh said.
This weekend's matchup is intriguing not only because of its importance, but also because it features two evenly matched teams.
"You look at some of these things and you can't ask for a more even game," Amato said. "We're last in the conference in rushing, and they're second to last. We're second in the conference in passing, and they're third."
Sophomore quarterback Philip Rivers leads the N.C. State attack with his precision passing. Rivers has followed up his breakout season last year with an impressive campaign thus far, throwing for nearly 1,500 yards and 10 touchdowns in six games.
"The way that he throws the ball really gives him an advantage," Groh said. "He really gets it out of there right away. He makes quick decisions and he is very accurate. So he is clearly the guy who drives the operation."
Sophomore quarterback Matt Schaub will once again start for Virginia. Despite a disappointing performance against the Seminoles last Saturday, Schaub has held onto the starting spot over fellow sophomore Bryson Spinner. It should not be a surprise, however, if Spinner sees some time on Saturday, especially considering his impressive performance against the Wolfpack last year.
"Most people who think we've settled in on [a clear starter] - they know something I don't know," Groh said.
Regardless of who calls the signals for Virginia this Saturday, the Cavaliers will need to establish some sort of running game. As Virginia showed in its win over Clemson, sometimes the best defense is a time-consuming offense that keeps the other team's offense off the field.
Against the Tigers, Virginia used Arlen Harris and Tyree Foreman to rack up 160 rushing yards. Despite the strong offensive performance at Clemson, the team has rushed for only a combined 169 yards in the last three games, all Cavalier losses. Virginia needs to improve on those performances this weekend, but they might have to do that without fullback Foreman. Foreman's status is questionable for Saturday after he sat out the second half of the Florida State game.
"I'm still looking forward to that possibility [of Foreman playing], but I'm also making preparations otherwise," Groh said.
Regardless of Foreman's possible absence, Groh envisions that this weekend's matchup will be a good game.
"This is a pretty good matchup," Groh said. "It may not be in terms of the national implications - it may not be Oklahoma and Nebraska - but it [is a good matchup] in terms of the competition"
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