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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

Does the Addition of the UVA Series Equal the Elimination of NC State’s Series with App St.?

Published

2 days ago

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May 17, 2024

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Earlier this week it was announced that NC State and Virginia would play one another in a home-and-home series, with the Wolfpack hosting in 2025, and the Cavaliers hosting in 2026.

Prior to the announcement, NC State already had their non-conference slate booked for both of those seasons.

As a result of the addition of the Virginia series, a previously scheduled non-conference game from each season would need to be dropped. While it hasn’t been officially announced by the school, Joe Giglio and David Glenn seem to think that the series with Appalachian State is going to be dropped.

It would make the most sense, considering the Mountaineers were the only opponent the Wolfpack was scheduled to play in both 2025 and 2026. It would also make sense, considering the fact that ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips isn’t a fan of ACC teams playing Group of 5 schools on the road.

I will tell you this much. The Mountaineer faithful certainly believe NC State is dropping the series with App State, and it just takes a little scrolling on X (formerly Twitter) to get a read on their feelings on the situation.

This situation brings to mind the bill that has been proposed in the North Carolina House of Representatives that would force NC State and UNC to play App St., ECU and UNC Charlotte in Football, Men’s Basketball and Women’s Basketball.

If the addition of UVA means the elimination of App St. on NC State’s schedule, what are your thoughts? Share in the comments.

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NC State Football

CBS Sports Ranks Dave Doeren as 1 of the Top-20 Coaches in College Football

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3 days ago

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May 16, 2024

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CBS Sports released their Top-25 Power 4 Coaches in College Football, and NC State’s Dave Doeren came in at #16. Heading into last season, he went into the season ranked #25.

16) Dave Doeren: The NC State coach finally gets some overdue credit. He’s always hovered around the bottom of our top 25 or just outside it, and now he finds himself firmly entrenched in it thanks to all the changes at the top. Coaches who take mid-tier programs and overachieve never get enough credit, in my estimation, and the consistency Doeren has established at NC State — where he spent most of his time in a division with Clemson and Florida State — is one of the most impressive things any coach in the country has done. I’m glad to see Doeren getting closer to the top 15. 2023 rank: 25 (+9) (CBS Sports)

Numerous CBS Sports’ analysts voted in the poll, and Tom Fornelli actually ranked Doeren #8.

ACC Coaches that made the Top-25

3. Dabo Swinney (Clemson)

8. Mike Norvell (FSU)

16. Dave Doeren (NC State)

19. Jeff Brohm (Louisville)

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NC State Football

NC State vs. Tennessee Kickoff Time & TV Network Revealed

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4 days ago

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May 15, 2024

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Kickoff time and TV Channel details have been revealed for NC State and Tennessee’s game in the Duke Mayo Classic in Week 2 of next season.

The game will be a primetime game on Saturday 7th, at 7:30pm on ABC.

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This game has the makings to be a Top-25 matchup.

Here’s a look at some of the Way-Too-Early Preseason rankings for the Wolfpack and the Volunteers:

Action Network: NC State #24/Tennessee #17

ON3: NC State #22/Tennessee #15

247: NC State #21/Tennessee #11

ESPN: NC State #17/Tennessee #15

DraftKings released their way-too-early odds for the game, and Tennessee is currently a 5.5-point favorite.

Here’s the deal, as NC State fans, if we want to be a big time Football program, NC State fans need to gobble up tickets to this game. Let’s do our part and make sure that Bank of America Stadium is painted RED. Buy Tickets HERE.

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NC State Football

NC State and UVA Agree to Home-and-Home Non-Conference Games

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4 days ago

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May 15, 2024

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NC State announced this morning that the Wolfpack and UVA will play in a home-and-home non-conference series, with the game in 2025 being in Raleigh, and the game in 2026 being in Charlottesville.

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To reiterate, despite the fact that both teams are in the ACC, these games are considered non-conference games, and won’t count toward conference records. This is similar to what UNC and Wake Forest did a few years back.

Here’s what’s interesting about the addition of these games in 2025 and 2026. Prior to the announcement, NC State already had 4 non-conference games scheduled for both years.

It would be my assumption that one of the previously scheduled non-conference games for each season will not take place now.

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