Athlon: NC State Has The 9th Toughest Schedule in 2018

Athlon ranked the Top-25 toughest 2018 college football schedules, and NC State’s ranked 9th.

9. NC State

NC State’s non-conference schedule is about as tough as a four-game slate with just one Power 5 opponent on it gets. The Wolfpack open with James Madison, which won the FCS national championship in 2016 and played for the title in ’17; play a Marshall team that will contend for a Conference USA title on the road; and host 2017 bowl game participant Georgia State.

Amid that run is a matchup with Big 12 opponent West Virginia. Both could be ranked in the Top 25 when the Mountaineers arrive in Raleigh, and this might be Dana Holgorsen’s best team since arriving in Morgantown seven years ago.

The inherent difficulty of the ACC Atlantic contributes to the Pack’s placement in this top 10, but the full story is in the details. For example, State travels to Syracuse sandwiched between games at Clemson and vs. Florida State. The Wolfpack see a physical Wake Forest bunch on just five days’ rest after hosting the Seminoles. (Athlon)