Let's take a look at the 2019 NC State Football team.
Best / Worse Case Record for :
Louisville | Virginia | Miami | Duke | Georgia Tech | Boston College | Pittsburgh | Florida State | Virginia Tech | Clemson | Syracuse | North Carolina | Wake Forest
NC State
NC State has won 18 games the last two years, but coming off an embarrassing 39 point bowl loss to Texas A&M questions remain around the program. Can Dave Doeren in year 7 turn NC State into a perennial top 25 program? 2019 could be a turning point season for the Wolfpack. Do they slip back to mediocrity or can they finally put together a double digit win season. They haven’t had one since 2002.
Will Go 11-1 (7-1) if:
The Wolfpack can take advantage of a very soft schedule. NC State gets Clemson at home, and that’s the only game the Wolfpack will be decided underdogs. Even in that game the Wolfpack have a chance. 3 of their last 4 meetings with Clemson have been competitive. NC State gets Syracuse at home too. That’s probably their second toughest game.
NC State has a number of offensive pieces to replace, their starting QB, and over 3000 yards from departing rushers and receivers. The offensive line is inexperienced too. That’s a lot of turnover, but the schedule is so soft that game experience is there to be made the first few weeks of the season.
Will Go 6-6 (3-5) if:
NC State struggles on offense and loses at West Virginia. NC State should easily get to 2-0 with opening games against East Carolina and Western Carolina. West Virginia is in rebuild mode, but shouldn’t be very good. That game will tell us a lot about where the Wolfpack’s season is headed. If NC State can’t defeat a depleted West Virginia team, they could be looking at losses at Florida State, Syracuse, at BC, at Wake Forest and Clemson.
Even games at Georgia Tech and with UNC look a lot more dangerous. If they beat West Virginia then you are looking at a 4-0 start, and a that inexperience isn’t nearly as much a factor. If playmakers don’t emerge on offense, then defense can’t carry this team and things could get ugly quick.
