Wolfpack Open Week To-Do List

Coach Dave Doeren and his staff have plenty to work on between now and State's next game on Nov. 2. Here are some of the top priorities

Greg M. Cooper

Boston College's performance against NC State last Saturday is a prime example of what can be accomplished when a team uses an open date on its schedule to its full advantage.

The Eagles shored up a struggling defense and devised a game plan that effectively negated the Wolfpack's strength during their extra time to prepare, and looked fresh and rested on the way to a convincing 45-24 victory.

Now as it enters the second of its two off weeks this season, State has its opportunity to address some of its own most pressing areas of concern before returning to action at Wake Forest on Nov. 2.

Here is a look at some of the top priorities for coach Dave Doeren and his staff:

Get healthy (or at least as healthy as possible)

The Wolfpack played Saturday's game without 11 players that have been on its two-deep depth chart at one time or another this season. Some of them are done for the year and aren't coming back, a list that grew even longer on Monday with the additions of offensive tackle Justin Witt, along with cornerbacks Chris Ingram and Teshaun Smith. Of those injured players that still have a chance to return -- including running back Ricky Person and yet another cornerback, Nick McCloud -- the extra week without a game will give them a better chance to heal up for a possible return. The same is true for a multitude of other players suffering from less serious bumps and bruises. The way State looked on Saturday, it's clear that it can use every ablebodied reinforment it can get -- especially with games against ranked opponents Wake Forest and Clemson coming up next.

Solidify the quarterback position

State used all three of its quarterbacks on Saturday, with Bailey Hockman starting, Matthew McKay coming in on short yardage situations and Devin Leary getting the majority of the snaps. Based on their respective performances, it's a safe assumption that Leary will be the starter at Wake Forest in two weeks. Much less certain is how long he'll keep the job.  After showing great patience with McKay over the first five games, Doeren had a quick hook with Hockman at BC. He explained the move by saying it was "about being in a bad situation and Devin seemed calm, seemed level." Perhaps Leary is the answer to the Wolfpack's offensive struggles. Maybe he's not. But at some point over the next 10 or so days, Doeren and his staff have to make a decision and stick with it. A musical quarterback situation is never a winning option.

Find a red zone solution

Moving the ball inside the opposition's 20-yard line hasn't been a problem for the Wolfpack this season. Getting into the end zone once there, however, has. State ended up with just three points to show for its first three trips into the red zone on Saturday. And that's been the exception not the rule. Christopher Dunn's 11 red zone field goals are the second most in the nation behind the 12 kicked by Washington's Peyton Henry. To their credit, co-offensive coordinators Des Kitchings and George McDonald have tried a number of different things to find a workable red zone solution. Saturday, they even brought McKay back to run the ball out of the Wildcat formation -- with little success. There is hope, though. Of all the promising things Leary did in Chestnut Hill, the most significant was his ability to convert red zone possessions into touchdowns rather than field goals. Or worse. The trick now is to find ways of doing that on a consistent baiss. Or as Doeren said after the loss, "There's a lot of things we've got to look at."

Teach takeaways

Chris Ingram's interception in the end zone with 3 1/2 minutes remaining sealed State's win against Ball State on Sept. 21. It was also the last time the Wolfpack's defense forced a turnover -- three full games ago. For the season, State has produced only five takeaways (three interceptions and two fumble recoveries) and ranks 120th in the national among FBS teams. Only New Mexico State with four has fewer. It's a problem co-defensive coordinator Tony Gibson addressed last week by saying he hoped the turnovers would eventually come in bunches. Instead of hoping, Gibson, fellow coordinator Dave Huxtable and Doeren would be better advised try making some schematic adjustments during the open week to make their defense become more opportunistic.