Yahoo! released their 2018 ACC Preseason Power Rankings, and they put NC State in the #7 spot.
- Clemson
- Miami
- Florida State
- Boston College
- Duke
- Virginia Tech
- NC State
- Louisville
- Georgia Tech
- Wake Forest
- North Carolina
- Pittsburgh
- Virginia
- Syracuse
Here’s what they had to say about the Wolfpack:
As Clemson’s star defensive line returns completely intact, NC State’s entire defensive line must be replaced. That includes Bradley Chubb, the Denver Broncos’ first-round draft pick. He had 10 of NC State’s 30 sacks in 2017. Add in the other players that NC State must replace and just 5.5 sacks return in 2018.
Quarterback Ryan Finley is back on offense along with Kelvin Harmon, the team’s leading receiver in 2017. They’ll be one of the best connections in the ACC. But RB Nyheim Hines and the versatile Jaylen Samuels are gone, leaving a large hole in the offense. The two players combined for 2,265 rushing and receiving yards and 28 total touchdowns. (Yahoo!)
Last week, ESPN put NC State at #6 in their Preseason Power Rankings.
The world seems to be drooling over Boston College this preseason. Yes, they have Running Back AJ Dillon, who is the Preseason ACC Player of the Year. Other than that, I don’t get the hype. Yes, they led the ACC in interceptions last season, and ranked 4th in the conference in Pass Defense, but their Rush Defense ranked 11th, and their overall defense ranked 8th.
Also, Duke at #5 in a preseason ranking is laughable. I’m not saying the Blue Devils couldn’t surprise this season, but this is a preseason ranking, and it’s undeserved in my opinion.