As the NCAA football season continues, NC State is poised to make a run for first in the Athletic Coast Conference (ACC). With last year’s conference run ending after the loss to Wake Forest, this year is one of the last chances they have to win the ACC with such a loaded roster. With several key offensive players leaving last season such as Ikem Ekwonu, Emeka Emezie, and Donovan Knight, the Wolfpack was left with multiple key positions they needed to fill. Players like Demie Sumo Karngbaye, Thayer Thomas, and many more are taking a more prominent role and generating hype for the season ahead. On top of the few guys listed, star quarterback Devin Leary took a massive leap making him a top quarterback in the nation. In addition, the defense is loaded with notable names leading a star-studded unit. With all this being said, State is 4-1, ranked 3rd in the ACC, tied with Florida State and Wake Forest. NC State fans have gone through plenty of letdowns when expectations were high, and while some say this year is the same; It’s hard not to be confident in the Packs squad they’ve built up this season.

  Clemson is currently the favorite to win the ACC, ranked first in the conference and fifth nationally. Even with the bets on Clemson to win it all, State still has a fighting chance with an early statement win against Texas Tech. This last weekend they had a sloppy two-score loss against Clemson (30-20) but it was a chance to learn and capitalize. With an upcoming game against Wake Forest on November 5th, State has an opportunity to pose as a real threat. If the Pack can win out the rest of their season and Clemson takes just one loss, that puts NC State back in contention. Junior and NC State superfan Vince Barefoot, believes State has the chance to win it all: “We had a tough loss to Clemson last weekend but I feel we have plenty of chances to prove ourselves and climb ahead of Clemson later on in the season. If we can do all that, then we can easily take over the ACC!” He said with excitement. The last time NC State brought back an ACC title was in 1979. Bringing back a title this year would be an assertion to the rest of college football and an experience for downtown Hillsborough, Raleigh. Let’s hope the Wolfpack can keep it up and take advantage of their position.