start in franchise history with their fifth straight victor

RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren will soon find out whether some major offensive changes translate into a step forward for his Wolfpack.Doeren opens his fourth season with the Wolfpack on Thursday night against William & Mary of the Football Championship Subdivision. His offense will have a different look with a new coordinator and a pair of unproven quarterbacks, and his team has spent an offseason working under the leadership of a different strength and conditioning coach.That comes after a 7-6 season with a second straight bowl appearance but a feeling of unmet expectations.The changes I made were changes I thought had to be made, Doeren said. Theyre never easy. . Its not a fun moment. But you do it because you believe whats best for the future of your team and your staff. And I can honestly say I feel like I did the right thing -- not that Ive looked back and doubt myself.New offensive coordinator Eli Drinkwitz worked with former Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn and was Boise States coordinator last season. He brings a scheme sure to pick up the pace in Raleigh.But the Wolfpacks offseason battle to replace Jacoby Brissett as starting quarterback hasnt settled on a long-term answer. Either Jalan McClendon or graduate transfer Ryan Finley -- both are redshirt sophomores -- will take the first snap Thursday night, but Doeren isnt promising anything more than the first series to the starter and said both will play.The Tribe will present a veteran challenge. Ranked No. 10 in the FCS coaches poll, William & Mary enters the season with 16 starters and 10 all-conference performers back from a team that claimed a share of the Colonial Athletic Association title.You cant dwell on what happened last year because obviously it was a very good year but its a different team, longtime Tribe coach Jimmye Laycock said. This years team has got to set their own identity.---Here are things to know about Thursdays William & Mary-N.C. State gameQB ROTATION: Doeren wouldnt commit to a specific rotation for McClendon and Finley, but it sounds like the position battle isnt over. Doeren said that the team has settled on the starter and wont reveal it publicly, but added the winner isnt necessarily the starter for the full season. I dont know how many reps well get, McClendon said, but were both playing.KICKING BATTLE: Quarterback isnt the Wolfpacks only unsettled position. Sophomore Kyle Bambard and graduate transfer Connor Haskins are vying to be the top placekicker. Bambard struggled last season by making 7 of 14 field goals, a 50-percent conversion rate that was last in the NCAAs Bowl Subdivision national ranks. Doeren said both guys would kick but wont publicly announce a starter.IN THE TRENCHES: The key battle will come up front. William & Marys line boasts three seniors and two juniors, including three all-conference picks, blocking for team captain Steve Cluley at quarterback and tailback Kendell Anderson. But Anderson is questionable with a shoulder injury and the Wolfpacks defensive front is a strength. Its pretty much going to come down to your quarterback and offensive line, Laycock said. Thats what makes you go.RUN IT: The Wolfpacks deep backfield is led by senior Matt Dayes, who had run for 12 touchdowns and was within reach of becoming the programs first 1,000-yard rusher since 2002 before missing the five games with a foot injury. And Drinkwitz has proven at his previous coaching stops hes more than willing to run the ball, so dont be surprised to see the Wolfpack go heavy on the ground game.FAST STARTS: N.C. State has won its opener in each of Doerens first three years and has started 4-0 in each of the past two. The Wolfpack cant afford a stumble Thursday with a trip to East Carolina next week and a schedule that includes No. 2 Clemson, No. 4 Florida State, No. 10 Notre Dame, No. 19 Louisville and No. 22 North Carolina.---Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aaronbeardap and the APs college football site at http://collegefootball.ap.org Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. Wholesale Jerseys Online . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. https://www.wholesalejerseys2020.com/ . LOUIS -- Theres no telling how these wacky World Series games will end. Wholesale Custom Jerseys . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. China Jerseys . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Its time again to look into the crystal ball and?make some predictions for 2016.Over the past few years, the game has seen an unusual shift away from running backs and toward quarterbacks and receivers. Backs rarely average 20 carries per game anymore. Meanwhile, receiving records are breaking left and right. There is a greater emphasis on the passing game.Here are my predicted stat leaders for this season, along with a dark horse pick for each:Passing YardsDrew Brees, New Orleans Saints: 4,972Brees has a faster, quicker receiving group and should put up monster numbers. He has put up more than 5,000 yards in four different years, but I dont see any quarterback hitting that mark this season.ddddddddddddDark horse pick:?Kirk Cousins, Washington RedskinsPassing touchdownsEli Manning, New York Giants: 39The partnership with coach?Ben McAdoo?is a big winner. They will score a lot of points, and Manning will have a career year. He set his career high last season with 35.Dark horse pick:?Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders ' ' '