After finishing fourth in the ACC Atlantic and 7-6 overall for the 2016 season, the NC State football team is looking to grow even more this year. Let’s take a preseason look at the schedule and the possibilities for the Pack.
Game One, South Carolina Gamecocks, Bank of America Stadium
The Pack heads to Charlotte for the Belk College Kickoff game to take on South Carolina. The Gamecocks, who were 6-7 last season, return starting sophomore quarterback Jake Bentley along with two receivers in redshirt junior Deebo Samuel and sophomore Bryan Edwards. South Carolina is young and is not projected to do much better than last season despite having some experience under its belt.
Game Two, Marshall Thundering Herd
The Herd struggled last season with a 3-9 record overall. Marshall has quarterback experience in junior Chase Litton but five of six top receivers are not returning. After redshirting six freshman offensive linemen during the 2016 season for depth purposes, a young line could mean a trampling ground for the experienced Pack defensive lineman.
Game Three, Furman Paladins
Returning receivers could be the strength of the Paladins, but Furman could struggle offensively at the quarterback position after Reese Hannon, the program’s all-time passing and total offense leader graduated at the end of last season. The Paladins’ defensive line is going with a 3-4 defense this year to support the fact nine of 13 spots are freshmen.
Game Four, @ Florida State Seminoles
The Pack was one endzone interception away from beating the Noles last year, who went on to win the Orange Bowl and finish 10-3 overall. Returning for FSU is sophomore quarterback Deondre Francois but running back Dalvin Cook is off to the NFL, which opens up more opportunities for the talented but unproven Seminoles backfield.
Game Five, Syracuse Orange
After a 4-8 2016 campaign, the Orange is looking at a tough schedule, against five AP preseason Top 25 teams. ‘Cuse is struggling with depth for the upcoming season on both the offensive and defensive lines, which could mean a high scoring game for any team who takes them on. The Pack’s playmakers, junior running back Nyheim Hines and senior H-back, Jaylen Samuels, could cause issues as well as the entire State defensive line.
Game Six, Louisville Cardinals
This matchup was not the best showing from the 2016 Pack, though it could be argued that the fact that the Pack was still caught up on a brutal loss to the eventual national champion, Clemson. 2016 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Lamar Jackson is returning for the Cards; he will make or break Louisville this year and if he is having a good night it will be hard to beat the Cardinals. This game could help tremendously in determining whether the Pack is a good team or a great team.
Game Seven, @ Pittsburgh Panthers
Pitt was the one team that got the best of Clemson last season after the Tigers barely scraped past the Pack. The Panthers finished 8-5 overall but lost a lot in the offseason on both sides of the ball: three out of four linebackers, three out of five defensive backs, a starting quarterback and the standout running back. This could be a rough season for Pitt but if the returners and transfers find stride, they could put up a tough fight in the ACC’s Coastal division.
Game Eight, @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Fighting Irish are projected to win eight games this season after what was a disappointing season for Brian Kelly and Notre Dame fans. Kelly has introduced two new coordinators to the team in hopes of living up to potentially being a top-25 program by the end of the season.
Game Nine, Clemson Tigers
The 2016 National Champions are coming to Carter-Finley this fall after the Pack was a field goal away from winning in Death Valley. It comes as no surprise the Tigers are expected to perform well on both sides of the ball even with the loss of DeShaun Watson and Mike Williams, among others.
Game 10, @ Boston College Eagles
The Eagles are projected to finish last in the Atlantic Division after finishing 7-6 last season. BC would be expected to succeed this season as they are returning 67 percent of the offense and 72 percent of the team’s defense this season, but has a new quarterback to try and highlight its returning offense against a tough schedule.
Game 11, @ Wake Forest Demon Deacons
The Deacs are projected to finish fifth in the ACC Atlantic after a 7-6 record overall last season. A young Wake Forest team is in question of whether it will sink or swim against its tough ACC schedule. Wake has nearly all of its offense returning and over half of its defense, which will be a huge help if the Deacs plan on reaching a bowl.
Game 12, North Carolina Tar Heels
This season is supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Tar Heels and head coach Larry Fedora. Returning less than 20 percent from last year’s offense, Chapel Hill is bound to be struggling throughout the season to find a rhythm. The Heels’ new quarterback is expected to be Brandon Harris, a grad transfer from LSU.
