Sporting News Projects NC State to Finish 9th in the ACC

The Sporting News has released its 2026 College Football Preview Magazine, and the publication projects NC State to finish ninth in the ACC this season.

While that ranking places the Wolfpack in the middle of the conference pack, Sporting News believes much of NC State’s ceiling will depend on the continued development of junior quarterback CJ Bailey.

TSN’s 2026 ACC Football Preseason Poll

1. Miami
2. Louisville
3. SMU
4. Virginia Tech
5. Clemson
6. UVA
7. Georgia Tech
8. Cal
9. NC State
10. Pitt
11. FSU
12. Wake Forest
13. Duke
14. Syracuse
15. UNC
16. Stanford
17. Boston College

TSN’s Take on NC State

The publication acknowledged the consistency Dave Doeren has built in Raleigh, while also pointing to the elusive breakthrough season that has escaped the Wolfpack during his tenure.

“In his 13 seasons with the Wolfpack, Dave Doeren has won between seven and 9 games 10 times – that includes last year’s 8-5 team that won the Gasparilla Bowl. But every year, hopes for a breakthrough to a 10-win season and a step into the elite somehow get dashed. There is belief that quarterback C.J. Bailey will take the next step forward in what will his third season in Raleigh.”

Bottom Line

“The Wolfpack have too much work to do to make this the year that they finally post a double-digit win total. Unless Bailey emerges as a star, they might struggle to even go .500 in conference play. Bailey is solid, but the weapons around him are untested and the defense might not need time to develop.”