As the NC State football team prepares for kickoff in Charlotte on Sept. 2, the sports-writing world has already begun making bold predictions about the outcome of this year’s season. Some expectations call for the Pack to go under .500 and lose to non-ACC opponents, but quite a few have gone as far as to plan for a championship season. Although some of these claims have been arguably satirical, all will be considered.
On May 9, ESPN’s David Hale published an article regarding NC State’s status as the ACC’s “sleeping giant.” He specifically cited South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp’s praise of the Wolfpack defensive line and head coach Dave Doeren’s reminders that the team is as healthy and ready as ever. Hale believes the Pack has more than enough potential to be amongst the best teams in the ACC, and states, “that hype for NC State, as crazy as it might sound at first, might also be completely appropriate.”
Excitement for the upcoming season began to skyrocket on July 19, when SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic picked his College Football Playoff top four teams. Alabama, Ohio State, Washington and NC State, respectively. Reactions were swift, as many assumed Cubelic must have been joking. Surprisingly, he later confirmed on Twitter that if he had a vote, those would in fact be his chosen teams.
The same day, ESPN’s Phil Steele included the NC State Wolfpack on his list of “The 13 teams who could crash the College Football Playoff party.” In mid-August, Sports Illustrated included the Pack in its article, “Five Sleeper Teams That Could Emerge as Legit Contenders.”
So why would national media outlets be so concerned with a Wolfpack team that went 7-6 and 3-5 in the ACC last year? Perhaps because in that mediocre season, the Red and White from NC State actually outplayed the eventual national champion Clemson Tigers and playoff contender Florida State. A missed field goal and an interception are likely the only thing that kept NC State off of everyone’s top-25 list.
On top of outstanding play last year, the team itself is in fantastic shape. Senior all-purpose back Jaylen Samuels, senior defensive end Bradley Chubb and redshirt junior quarterback Ryan Finley are expected to have outstanding seasons, and their leadership could propel the Wolfpack to unforeseen heights. The team is also more experienced than ever, as the roster now includes 11 returning seniors, a school record.
Proving that skill and maturity won’t be an easy feat however, as this year’s schedule includes a formidable South Carolina team in the season opener, the anticipated ACC No. 1 Florida State in week four, a trip to top-25 contender Notre Dame and a homecoming visit from defending national champion Clemson. The path to a championship in the ACC is harder than in any other conference this year, and the Pack has to be willing to topple some goliaths to get there.
Less than two weeks from the kickoff of NC State Football’s best opportunity in years to show the nation its potential, we know the hype is legitimate. The more important question now is: can the Wolfpack handle the hype?
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