Projecting N.C. State: Looks like a 6-6 fall

N.C. State hasn’t had a winning season since 2005, and looking over the schedule, it’s hard to see the Wolfpack finishing the regular season with a winning record this time.

A tough non-conference schedule should lead State to a 6-6 record, which should be just enough to squeeze it into a low-level bowl.

Here’s a game-by-game breakdown:

Sept. 4, Western Carolina: An easy win. 1-0.

Sept. 11, at Central Florida: George O’Leary is in his seventh season here and has 15 starters back. The defense allowed just 83 yards rushing per game and there is tons of talent in the secondary. The offense is a physical unit that has a powerful running game. A loss here moves State to 1-1.

Sept. 16, Cincinnati: ESPN is back for a Thursday night game with a Cincinnati team that lacks coach Brian Kelly but returns a superb offense.

GT's Johnson isn't worrying about Sept. 25

The Bearcats were 12-1 last year but their defense was simply horrible as the season progressed, as Florida showed in a 51-24 Super Bowl stomping. State has enough offense to win this one and move to 2-1.

Sept. 25, at Georgia Tech: State’s defense is the team’s biggest question mark and you can just see the Jackets grinding away in this game. State does have linebackers coach Jon Tenuta now, and he’s brilliant at figuring out how to plug gaps and stymie offenses. But even with Tenuta and Nate Irving back, you can’t see the Wolfpack winning here. Put the Pack down for 2-2.


Oct. 2, Virginia Tech: The Pack only rushed for 14 yards in last year’s 38-10 loss in Blacksburg. State puts up a better fight but the Hokies win to make State 2-3.

Oct. 9, Boston College: BC is always better than advertised, but Tom O’Brien finally beats his old team this time to make State 3-3.

Oct. 16, at East Carolina: O’Brien is 2-0 against the Pirates. This ECU team is hard to predict but certainly will play well at home against N.C. State. Still, this looks like a Wolfpack victory for a 4-3 record.

Oct. 28, Florida State: Hey, where’s Amato? He won’t be on either sideline this time. Won’t matter either way – the Seminoles are loaded. Make State 4-4.

Nov. 6, at Clemson: The Tigers won’t be the same offense that rang up 43 points on State last season. Running back C.J. Spiller is off to the NFL, but quarterback Kyle Parker didn’t depart for baseball and the Tigers still will be potent on offense. The Pack falls to 4-5.

Nov. 13, Wake Forest: Can you ever consider Wake Forest an easy win any more? No chance. O’Brien is 1-2 against the Deacons but should get this one to make State 5-5.

0-3 vs NCSU, TBA vs NCAA

Nov. 20, at UNC: O’Brien’s record against Carolina is a sparkling 3-0, but look for this to be Butch Davis’ turn. Carolina has much more depth than N.C. State on both sides and can better afford to withstand injuries. If State is having a poor season and stumbles into this game, say, 3-7, then the stakes here are enormous. Make State 5-6.

Nov. 27, at Maryland: The Ralph Friedgen years may be at an end by this point. Sometimes teams just come out flat, as the Wolfpack did in the 2007 finale against Maryland in a baffling 37-0 loss. State hasn’t won at Maryland since 2004 but should get this one to finish 6-6.