NC State chokes Against Wake Forest, Falling 23-27

Unacceptable.

I can’t think of a more fitting word.

Maybe I can.

Embarrassing.

I was just struck with another one.

Revealing.

Unacceptable because NC State’s offense was the 6th most efficient offense in the nation going against the 122nd best defense. Wake Forest was giving up 496 yards per game, and the Wolfpack undershot it to the tune of 421 yards.

Unacceptable because the Wolfpack rushed for a whopping 47 yards against a defense that was giving up 221 yards on the ground per game.

Unacceptable because NC State settled for 3 field goals within the red zone. Look, I love that Chris Dunn can kick field goals, but going 3 of 3 on field goal attempts in the red zone means your offense FAILED. Blame it on dropped passes. Blame it on being tackled in the back field. Blame it on play calling. Blame it on bad throws. I don’t care. It’s unacceptable.

Embarrassing.

Embarrassing because NC State was a 19-point favorite. NC State had won 26 of the last 32 games when they were the favorite. That’s 81.3%. The Wolfpack has only lost 1 time since 2014 when they were the favorite to win by 10+ points. In 2016, NC State lost to Boston College 14-21 when they were 16-point favorites. Tonight marks the second. In fact, it marks the worst loss of the Dave Doeren era. Embarrassing.

Embarrassing because NC State lost to a Wake Forest team that was without their starting quarterback, and who lost their starting running back during the course of the game. Hats off to Jamie Newman, but the Wolfpack defense allowed a backup quarterback who had completed 7 of 15 passes this season pass for 297 yards, complete 66.7% of his passes, throw 3 touchdowns (0 interceptions) and lay down a passing efficiency rating of 172.3. Embarrassing.

Revealing.

Here’s the facts. NC State wasn’t the 14th best team in the nation, but the cards had fallen their way. Six of the teams in front of them had lost the previous week. A golden path was rolled out before them. They were going to be the favorite by a large margin in their final 4 regular season games. Tonight revealed this team wasn’t ready for the prize at the end of the carpet rolled out before them.

Tonight revealed a lack of preparation, and that’s on the coaches. Tonight revealed a lack of effort, and that’s on the players.

Tonight revealed a lack of fight.

Tonight revealed a lack of composure.

This team had a chance to go to a major bowl (with some help). They didn’t need to upset anyone. They needed to beat 4 teams they would be double-digit favorites against.

Doeren and his staff need to do some serious soul searching. If you couldn’t get your team up for this game…

I’m tired. I’m tired of this feeling of deja vu.

NC State shouldn’t have lost this game, but they sure as heck didn’t deserve to win it.

Unacceptable. Embarrassing. Revealing.