NC State’s schedule could open unexpected dark-horse path

NC State’s schedule could open unexpected dark-horse path

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NC State’s schedule could open unexpected dark-horse path

The college football season is less than a month away, and the race for a College Football Playoff berth is about to begin. The expanded playoff field will almost certainly feature some new faces.

One of those teams could come from the ACC. Although the Miami Hurricanes enter the season as the conference favorites, they could face an unexpected challenger in the ACC Championship Game.

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CBS Sports recently ranked the easiest schedules in the FBS, with the NC State Wolfpack landing at No. 1. That favorable slate gives NC State a clear path to a potential ACC Championship Game appearance.

Dec 19, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; NC State Wolfpack defensive back Tristan Teasdell (19) and linebacker Jr. Kenny Soares (33) react after a play against the Memphis Tigers in the second quarter during the Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

“Among every Power Four program this season, nobody caught more breaks than NC State. The Wolfpack avoids all three of the league’s teams we believe will be ranked in the preseason, and the non-conference slate should include three wins if Diego Pavia-less Vanderbilt takes a step back,” CBS Sports reported.

“With CJ Bailey returning at quarterback, NC State may possess the dark horse label heading into November if this team takes care of business inside Carter-Finley Stadium. In a season where many contenders will be tripping over brutal schedules, the Wolfpack have the closest thing college football offers to a red-carpet path to double-digit wins.”

Is NC State an ACC dark horse?

Despite drawing the easiest-ranked schedule, ESPN’s College Football FPI gives NC State a 0 percent chance of finishing the regular season undefeated. The model also gives the Wolfpack just a 2.1 percent chance to win the ACC.

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Dave Doeren enters his 14th season as NC State’s head coach. His teams have never won more than nine games in a season, although they have reached that mark four times.

Dec 19, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; NC State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren looks on against the Memphis Tigers in the first quarter during the Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Last season, NC State lost to Duke, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, Pitt and Miami. As of now, the Wolfpack are not scheduled to face any ranked opponents.

Their toughest matchups include road games against Virginia, Vanderbilt, Stanford and Florida State. Those contests will likely prove pivotal if NC State hopes to earn a spot in the ACC Championship Game.

Can the Wolfpack capitalize on their favorable schedule and make a dark horse run at the ACC title — and potentially a berth in the College Football Playoff?

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