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This is the Biggest Game in NC State Football History

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2 years ago

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Tonight’s game is the biggest game in the history of NC State football. Obviously, that’s my opinion. Determining the biggest game in school history is impossible. It’s subjective. Nonetheless, I believe it is.

NC State is ranked 10th. Clemson is ranked 5th.

The Wolfpack have never been in a Top-10 game in the history of the AP Poll (1936). This is only the 5th NC State team to be ranked in the Top-10.

I know there are plenty of games left after this one, and I’m not making any sort of an argument that NC State is a lock to win the Atlantic Division if they win this game. They have the grind of the difficult Atlantic Division waiting for them after this. FSU, Syracuse and Wake Forest are all ranked in either the AP or Coaches Poll.

At minimum this game is historical, but in my opinion, it’s the biggest.

As I perused every game and every season of NC State Football, here’s a look at some of the more significant games in Wolfpack history.

2021 – #21 NC State at #13 Wake Forest – 42-45. If NC State would have won this game, they would have won the Atlantic Division, and gone on to play in the ACC Championship game against Pitt. They would have also had 10 wins for only the 2nd time in school history. Don’t even get me started on not getting a chance at another win against UCLA in the bowl game.

2017 – #14 NC State at #9 Notre Dame – 14-35

2017 – #6 Clemson vs. #20 NC State – 38-31. If NC State would have won this game, they would have won the Atlantic

2010 – #21 NC State at Maryland – 31-38 – If NC State would have won, they would have won the Atlantic.

1992 – #12 NC State vs. #14 Florida – Gator Bowl – 10-27 – If NC State would have won, they would have finished with 10 wins and likely finished in the Top-10 for the 1st time ever.

1991 – #12 NC State at #19 Clemson – 19-29 – Would have had 10 wins.

1974 – #13 NC State vs. Houston – Bluebonnet Bowl – 31-31 – Would have given them 10 wins. Might have given them a top-10 finish.

1973 – #14 NC State at #2 Nebraska – 14-31

1967 – #10 NC State @ Clemson – 6-14 – Would have likely led the Wolfpack to finish in the Top-10, and finish with 10 wins.

1957 – #4 Duke vs. #11 NC State – 14-14

1957 – William & Mary vs. #10 NC State – 7-6 – NC State went on to win their following 2 games, but finished the season ranked 15th. Without that loss against William & Mary, NC State would have finished in the Top 10

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Matthew is Publisher and Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He is also the Lead Pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

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Inhoc...
Inhoc...
1 year ago

A sad but all too familiar feeling. The issues we saw in the ECU game (aside from fumbling on the goal line) still persist.

It’s a shame they can’t seem to fix it and take the next step. Tonight was yet another blown opportunity…

Last edited 1 year ago by Inhoc...
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CTpack
CTpack
1 year ago

Thanks for the summary. It’s certain that tonight is a very important game for our program. But you missed what oldtimers remember as THE biggest game ever played in Pack history. That is the Penn State game from 1967. Joe Paterno vs. Earle Edwards at State College PA. The 8-0 Wolfpack carried a #3 ranking into that game and featured the “white shoes” defense. Unfortunately the Pack lost on a goal line stand 13-8 and then, deflated, lost to Clemson the next week as noted. They finished the season 9-2 with a win in the Liberty Bowl over Georgia. Speculation… Read more »

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Rev
Rev
1 year ago

Didn’t win any of those games, huh? Doesn’t bode well. I do not feel confident playing at Clemson. Hope the Pack proves me wrong.

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NC State Football

Colorado DT Transfer Chazz Wallace is Taking an Official Visit to NC State Tomorrow

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20 hours ago

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May 6, 2024

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NC State has offered Colorado Defensive Tackle Transfer Chazz Wallace (6’2″/295), and he confirmed with me that he will be taking an Official Visit to Raleigh tomorrow.

Wallace played in 10 games for Coach Prime this past season, starting in 4. He finished with 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks. His PFF Grade was 56.4.

Prior to Colorado, Wallace spent his first three years at Old Dominion.

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NC State Football

NC State Offers FCS DT Brandon Lane

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1 day ago

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May 6, 2024

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NC State offered Stephen F. Austin (FCS) Transfer Defensive Tackle Brandon Lane (6’3″/300) yesterday.

Lane started in 6 of the 11 games he played in for Stephen F. Austin this past season. He finished the year with 44 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. His PFF Grade was 74.6, which ranked 4th on the Lumberjacks Defense. His 79.9 Run Defense Grade ranked 3rd on the team. In 2022, Lane played 7 games as a reserve for Stephen F. Austin, recording 11 tackles 2.5 tackles for loss and 1 sack.

Lane spent his first two collegiate seasons at South Dakota State (2000-21). In 2000, he played in 1 game. In 2021, he played in 3 games as a reserve for the Jackrabbits. The 2000 season was the Covid Year, and the 2021 season was his redshirt year. As a result, Lane still has two years of eligibility remaining.

Around a week-and-a-half ago, Lane committed to Michigan St., but then he decommitted from the Spartans on May 2nd.

I don’t think Michigan St. is necessarily off the table, and he has visited Washington and West Virginia.

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NC State Football

Congrats to NC State Football’s Spring Graduates!

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4 days ago

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May 3, 2024

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Congratulations to the 7 NC State Football Players that just graduated this Spring.

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2024 Football Spring Graduates

Linebacker Devon Betty (1 year of eligibility)

Defensive End Davin Vann (1 year of eligibility)

Cornerback Aydan White (1 year of eligibility)

Offensive Guard Anthony Carter Jr. (2 years of eligibility)

Offensive Lineman Matt McCabe (2 years of eligibility)

Offensive Tackle Patrick Matan (2 years of eligibility)

Offensive Lineman Brendan Lawson (no longer on the roster)

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NC State Football

Proposed Bill in the NC House Would Require NC State & UNC To Play One Another, as well as ECU, UNCC and App St.

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4 days ago

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May 3, 2024

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A bill has been proposed by members of the North Carolina House of Representatives that would force NC State and UNC to play one another, as well as East Carolina, UNC Charlotte and Appalachian State.

According to House Bill 965, which you can read here in full, NC State and UNC would be required to play one another annually in Football, Men’s Basketball and Women’s Basketball. The Wolfpack and the Tar Heels would also be forced to play a game annually in all three sports against either ECU, UNC-Charlotte or App St. Every six years, NC State and UNC would be required to have played a home and away game against each of the three school in all three sports.

Here’s the exact wording from the proposed bill:

Competition Required. – A high-enrollment institution shall do all of the following in each eligible sport: (1) Every academic year, play at least one home or one away game against (i) another high-enrollment institution and (ii) an eligible constituent institution that is not a high-enrollment institution. (2) Every six academic years, play at least one home and one away game against each eligible constituent institution that is not a high-enrollment institution. A high-enrollment institution shall alternate home and away games that are scheduled against the same eligible constituent institution that is not a high-enrollment institution.

For glossary of terms being referenced above:

For the purposes of this bill, “High-enrollment institutions” = NC State and UNC, while “Eligible constituent institutions” = East Carolina, UNC Charlotte and Appalachian State.

It’s worth noting that NC State already has games schedule against each of these teams home-and-away in Football between now and 2031.

2025 – East Carolina (H)

2025 – @ App St.

2026 – App St. (H)

2028 – @ East Carolina

2030 – Charlotte (H)

2031 – @ Charlotte

What are your thoughts?

For more details, check out this article at WRAL.

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