Lew Hege/Herald Senior Sports Columnist

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In the 21st Century world of college football, teams go as their quarterback goes. That's because the most successful offenses use some form of spread offense that requires a quarterback that can run, throw, and make good snap decisions.

Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow of Florida and Pat White of West Virginia are QB's who can run, throw, and make good decisions on a moment's notice.

Since Philip Rivers guided N. C. State to its big 11-3 season, culminating with the win over Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl, followed by another strong season; the Wolfpack has been searching for a replacement.

Former coach Chuck Amato is to blame for the QB fiasco in Raleigh. When Rivers was a junior, Amato should have made it priority No. 1 to recruit another great signal caller. Instead he relied on Jay Davis, a Clearwater, Fl. native, who was not recruited by the following schools: Florida, Florida State and Miami. Even hometown South Florida, which was just starting to play Division I lightweights, didn't recruit Davis. At State, the “D” in Davis stood for disaster.

And the last two seasons, a weak-armed, slow- running, poor decision-making fellow named Daniel Evans has been the quarterback. Coming out of high school, Evans had a couple of offers from lesser-light schools. Since his dad Johnny was a great Pack quarterback and punter, and now works Wolfpack football games on the radio - State gave Evans a scholarship. They should have let him go on to Duke or Elon, or anywhere else. Not blaming Daniel here, he is doing his best. But he is not a starting D-I quarterback.

As the 2008 season opener draws near, Evans is the likely starter. State must play at South Carolina and it's doubtful coach Tom O'Brien will throw one of his other QB's into the Chickens' cauldron.

The four are Harrison Beck, a washout at Nebraska, who started four games last year; Justin Burke, who has the smarts but no experience; Russell Wilson, a redshirt freshman, who should get the assignment, and true freshman Mike Glennon, a four-star future whiz kid-the QB State needed five years ago.

The bet is State will redshirt Glennon. O'Brien should go with Wilson to start the South Carolina game. Should he again opt for Evans, the result of the contest has already been decided. State will return to Raleigh 0-1.

The Pack does have a trio of talented running backs and their secondary is decent. How they fare at QB and in the lines will determine if they can pull off their best-case scenario: a 7-5 record. If O'Brien sticks with Evans, look for another 5-7 record, the same mark State posted in 2007.

GRIDIRON NOTES: Some pundits have Georgia no. 1 in the pre-season polls. If that is to happen, Georgia will have to overcome the toughest schedule in the land. Phil Steele's College Football Preview rates the Dawgs' slate the hardest. Ten of their opponents had winning records last year and their away schedule is too tough for any team to go unscathedŠ..The SEC media picked Florida to win the SEC East over Georgia. The Gators' schedule is rated the second-hardest in the country, but their conference road slate is a cupcakeŠOf the eight toughest schedules this season, the top three are SEC teams and six of the eight hardest are those of SEC squadsŠ.Southern California's schedule is 48th, the easiest of the teams picked as potential national champions. Oklahoma's is 46th. The schedule is the most important factor in winning a title.

, so USC and the Sooners look like BCS finalists.