The N.C. State Wolfpack are preparing to take on the Louisville Cardinals in the Belk Bowl. Preparations for the Wolfpack are a little different than normal however, as they get set to take on a Cardinals offense that they haven't seen much of but was a big part of why the Cardinals rallied and went 5-1 after starting 2-4.
Belk Bowl 2011: N.C. State Prepping For Louisville’s Pistol Offense
After their 2-4 start, head coach Charlie Strong fired offensive coordinator Mike Stanford and promoted Shawn Watson to offensive coordinator. After the switch, the Cardinals changed to a pistol/wild-cat style offense that was more fitting to quarterback Tyler Bridgewater.
The Wolfpack defense is going to have to play disciplined in order to slow down the Louisville offense and has spent much of the prep work for the bowl game on stopping the pistol/wild-cat that they will see. “No. 1, you have to recognize the formation,” Wolfpack head coach Tom O’Brien told the News Observer. “You have to recognize who’s in the game and you have to find the eligible receivers and you have to do all of that quickly. Our defense worked a lot these past two days on Louisville and we’ll do it again tomorrow. The focus is to get lined up right. If you don’t do that, you’ve got problems.”
For more on the NC State Wolfpack visit SB Nation’s NC State blog On Backing The Pack. For more on the Louisville Cardinals visit SB Nation’s Louisville blog Cards Chronicle. Also stay tuned to SB Nation’s 2011 college football bowl game bids coverage.
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