Grade A

Plenty of fans right now are still pissed off after the debacle in College Park two weeks ago, but putting that aside, and looking at the whole season objectively, it’s hard not to see this grade is well-deserved.

This was, hands down, Tom O’Brien’s best season thus far. The Pack could have, and arguably should have won every game this season – but that is the difference between good teams and great teams. Great teams win games they put themselves into positions to win.

The Wolfpack controlled its own destiny, and played for a shot at the ACC title game for the first time in years. State was in and out of the top 25 three times. The Wolfpack will also have the opportunity to win nine games for the first time since the days of Pro-Bowl quarterback Phillip Rivers.

Obviously everyone who roots for the red and white isn’t entirely satisfied with the season, but winning eight games is above average, and far succeeds anything State has done since Phillip Rivers was under center.