NC State enters the 2024 season with high expectations. The Wolfpack feels as though it has a legitimate shot to make the College Football Playoff at the end of the year, and NC State is continuing to build momentum on the national landscape.
The Pack had eight different players make preseason watch lists, a signal of what is to come this fall.
As the individual players build buzz, NC State’s team ranking has as well. The Pack checked in at No. 24 in the Associated Press preseason poll Monday.
But Fox Sports’ RJ Young put them at No. 30 as he ranked all 134 FBS programs in college football. The Pack, in his eyes, is the fourth-best team in the ACC going into the 2024 season.
“Perhaps the most underrated coach in the entire ACC — if not on a short list across the country — Dave Doeren is synonymous with winning,” Young wrote. “In 13 years, he’s had just two losing seasons and won seven or more games 11 times. But one of the reasons Doeren’s name doesn’t get dropped for a better head-coaching spot than NC State and doesn’t come up when folks are getting fired is he has an ability to either start fast or close fast. He rarely has a team that can play at a high level all year.”
“In 2023, NC State started 4-3 before winning five in a row to close out the regular season,” Young continued. “With Clemson and Tennessee making up two of their first four opponents, it might be a close fast kind of year in Raleigh but I’d be shocked if N.C. State didn’t finish with seven, eight or even nine wins, because that’s kind of what they do. They’ve only failed to win seven games once in the Doeren era and have never won 10.”
The Wolfpack has higher ambitions than a fourth-place finish in the ACC this fall. Now, it’s time for them to show that on the field this season.
The Grayson McCall to Justin Joly connection looks strong in fall camp.
NC State offensive line coach Garett Tujage has a solid bond with Wolfpack commit Kage Payne .
Pack women’s soccer opens its season tonight against Appalachian State.
Quote of the day
NC State’s position battle at left guard rages on in fall camp. Doeren has yet to make a decision on who the starter will be.
“We’re excited about Matt McCabe , and Anthony Carter’s got a lot of game reps,” Doeren said. “Those two guys will both be able to play for us. It’s been a good competition, it’s back and forth. You don’t see a lot of drop off either way.”
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