With NC State football’s recent 34-30 loss to Wake Forest, its ACC Championship aspirations are officially over. Even in a season of constant surprises, including a week in which five of the top 11 schools in the nation were upset, Saturday’s loss to its Tobacco Road rival felt like a nail in the coffin for the Wolfpack.

NC State, once projected to be one of the stronger teams in the ACC, has fallen incredibly short of the lofty expectations set for the program. With hopes of its first 10-win season since 2002, the Wolfpack must win every single game for the remainder of the season just to reach double digits. But judging by its recent play, chances of that happening are slim to none.

Part of NC State’s preseason appeal was its impressive transfer class, headlined by graduate quarterback Grayson McCall. However, over the past year, McCall has been injured three separate times. After suffering a season-ending concussion last season, McCall came to Raleigh with hopes of a strong finish to his collegiate career. However, an undisclosed injury against Louisiana Tech ruled McCall out for the following two games.

McCall made a surprise return against Wake Forest, but on his first drive of the game, he suffered a vicious hit that forced him to be carted off the field and taken to WakeMed Hospital. Head coach Dave Doeren confirmed McCall was released from the hospital later that day but tests confirmed that he had another concussion, an ominous injury for an already concussion-prone player.

As a result of McCall’s injuries, freshman quarterback CJ Bailey was thrust into the starting position. Though 2-2 in games where he’s played the majority of snaps, Bailey’s playing time has been one of the few bright spots for the Wolfpack. The true freshman was originally set to sit behind and learn from McCall for his first season and take over the reins next year, but injuries accelerated the timetable.

Through his four games played, Bailey has acquired valuable playing time and irreplaceable experience. Sitting behind McCall would’ve done well for Bailey’s game, but nothing is better for quarterback development than actual game experience. Bailey has already had to face two conference rivals and play in harsh environments such as Clemson’s Death Valley, where he made his first collegiate start.

Because he has appeared in more than four games, Bailey can no longer redshirt for the remainder of the season, meaning if or when McCall misses any more games, Bailey will have full control of the offense. Though an ACC Championship is out of the question at this point, the rest of the season can still be used for Bailey’s development as he settles into the offense.

One of the biggest contributions to NC State’s lackluster season has been its defense. For the first four games of the season, it appeared as though it had gotten too acclimated to the presence of Bednarik Trophy winner Payton Wilson. In its first four games since the star linebacker entered the draft, the Wolfpack allowed over 37 points per game, including 59 points allowed to Clemson, the highest points allowed of Doeren’s tenure.

The Wolfpack finally got things under control, allowing just 17 points to Northern Illinois and forcing four turnovers, but such should be the standard against Group of Five competition. Against Power Four schools, the NC State defense has allowed over 46 points per game. Not all of the Wolfpack’s transgressions are against the defense, but 46 points per game to Power Four schools is simply unacceptable. There’s not an offense in the country that can consistently outpace that, especially NC State’s offense.

The defense must learn how to become a threat against opposing offenses before the season ends. The Wolfpack will inevitably lose players to the transfer portal, but NC State is guaranteed to lose graduates defensive end Davin Vann and cornerback Aydan White, both of which are key players on defense.

At the end of the day, it comes down to coaching. Doeren, offensive coordinator Robert Anae and defensive coordinator Tony Gibson have all been on the hot seat as of late due to the Wolfpack’s unsuccessful gameplay.

Anae uses star sophomore wide receiver KC Concepcion in all the wrong ways, consistently having him run routes within three yards or drawing up a screen for him five yards behind the line of scrimmage. Concepcion’s first three catches against Wake Forest went for an astonishing negative-six yards. Using the star of your offense as a decoy or a dump-off pass is simply wrong. To succeed, you have to let him show off his talents, run downfield and make a play.

Gibson’s struggles hardly need an explanation. Allowing 28 points in one quarter against Clemson is an accurate summary of the Wolfpack’s defensive capabilities thus far. NC State held claim to one of the top three defenses in the ACC last season, but an argument could be made that it has been one of the worst through six games in 2024.

Finally, Doeren’s nearly fulfilled expectations are simply not enough for NC State anymore. Through his first 11 seasons as a head coach, Doeren and the Wolfpack don’t have a single ACC Championship or 10-win season. Don’t get it wrong, Doeren’s teams have had a winning record in nine of his 11 full seasons as leader of the Wolfpack, but for a school that claims it’s all about football, there is shockingly little to show for it.

NC State can still finish its season with 10 wins, but at this point in the season, it’s time to have some difficult conversations regarding the future of the program. Two near-losses to Group of Five teams, two blowout losses to Power Four competition and a blown 10-point lead in the fourth quarter to an in-state rival is unacceptable. NC State must find a way to stop the bleeding before it gets out of control.