In O'Brien We Trust

North Carolina State fans faced the end of an era for the second time in 2011. (This April NC State hired Mark Gottfried to revamp what has turned into a less than stellar basketball program.) The announcement of Russell Wilson's release from Wolfpack football blindsided the majority of fans. Now the 2008 ACC Rookie of the Year is heading to the Wisconsin Badgers to fulfill his final year of football eligibility. Are WolfPack fans ready to see highlights of Wilson in Badgers' red? They should be.

Releasing Wilson had to be one of most difficult decisions of coach Tom O'Brien's career. But as difficult as it was, it was the right one. To have allowed Wilson to come back as the starter this season would have not only driven away star recruit, Mike Glennon, but also sends a message to future recruits. Yes the WolfPack may not win nine games again this season but O'Brien is looking at the future success of the program.

On the bright side, the WolfPack replace Wilson with the highly recruited Glennon (higher ranked than Andrew Luck coming out of high school). O'Brien prefers a pro style of quarterback over Wilson's dual threat style. With Matt Ryan at Boston College, O'Brien's record was a solid 25-7. By no means am I assuming Glennon's career will pan out like Ryan's but the two share several similarities. Same build at 6'5'' 230lbs, neither are particularly known for their mobility, and both became the full time starter in their junior season of college.

Glennon has a ton of upside but it's all speculation and assumption at this point. However, O'Brien's leap of faith will be used as an example for future recruits. He can now tell an 18 year old recruit, "You are my guy. Just look at the faith I put in Glennon. That could be you." That's a powerful tool. But until then the fate of the WolfPack nation lay in the hands of an untested quarterback and all a NC State fan can say is "In O'Brien we Trust."