Written by Chip Patterson at CBS Sports.com
While everyone else is racing ahead to a trilogy match between Alabama and Clemson for the national title, NC State has quietly climbed its way into the ACC title race as the Tigers’ toughest challenge in the Atlantic Division.
With wins over Florida State and Louisville, the Wolfpack have secured two of the three wins needed to lock up the tiebreakers in the division race. Clemson remains the favorite, but they’ll have to come through Raleigh and win it on Nov. 4. That game has been circled since July as one that could impact the playoff picture because it’s a tough spot for Clemson, but now it’s looking like a Sweet 16 matchup and a play-in to the ACC Championship Game, which could be a play-in to the College Football Playoff.
Thursday night’s 39-25 win against Louisville showed that NC State should be judged as the team that has beaten two of the top teams in the ACC, not one that should be overlooked because of its loss to South Carolina in the season opener.
Here’s three things to know about the game:
1. NC State’s offense is humming. Dave Doeren said after the game that he thought if Ryan Finley got protection, he would tear Louisville’s secondary up. Finley finished 20-for-31 passing for 367 yards and a touchdown, and those stats fall short of describing an efficient and effective night for the Wolfpack quarterback. Kelvin Harmon and Jalyn Samuels headline the best wide receivers group NC State has had in years and Nyheim Hines (18 carries, 102 yards, two touchdowns) has been an all-purpose monster now transitioning into the team’s top option at running back.
It all started up front for the Pack on Thursday, putting Louisville’s defensive front on skates and providing a clean pocket for Finley to work. After seeing that group keep both Florida State and Louisville at bay, it’s time to realize that Bradley Chubb and NC State’s defensive line probably should share the headlines with the big uglies on the other side of the ball.
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