Let's take a look at NC State football.
Best / Worse Case Record for :
Louisville | Virginia | Miami | Duke | Georgia Tech | Boston College | Pittsburgh | Florida State | Virginia Tech | Clemson | Syracuse | North Carolina | Wake Forest
NC State
NC State was patient with Dave Doeren and was rewarded with a 9-4 record that was was a handful of plays from being 12-1. There’s more legitimate optimism in Raleigh than there has been in many years. A lot of talent was lost off last year’s team, but a foundation may have been set last year. NC State has always been considered a program capable of being perennial top 25 team. If that happens, 2017 was the year that set the tone. There’s enough coming back to make this potentially a team to watch in 2018.
Will Go 11-1 (7-1) if:
The Wolfpack play to their potential, and take advantage of a favorable schedule. Don’t get me wrong it’s not an easy schedule. There’s no such in the ACC in anymore, but NC State plays one game (at Clemson) that looks like a loss. That’s not a given either. NC State was in position to beat Clemson both times they played the last two years. The Wolfpack return arguably the best QB WR combo in the ACC in QB Ryan Finley and WR Kelvin Harmon.
NC State plays West Virginia in week 3. That could be the best matchup of QBs with Finley and Will Grier in any game in the country this year. If the Wolfpack win that game they have a great chance to enter their game with Clemson 6-0. They get Florida State and BC at home too. An 11-1 NC State isn’t that far fetched at all.
Will Go 8-4 (5-3) if:
The defensive line can’t replace all that talent they lost last year. If Clemson is likely 1 loss, where are the 3 coming from? West Virginia is one. Florida State still has enough talent to win in Raleigh, and there could be a slip up against Boston College, at Syracuse, Wake Forest, or at Louisville. The running game has some questions after the departure of Nyheim Hines and Jaylen Samuels. If that unit struggles, that puts tremendous pressure on the passing game, and an inexperienced defense.
The pass defense can’t rank in the 100s again. How far has NC State football come when I think 8-4 is the worst season they can have.
