ESPN’s College GameDay host sees this team as a sleeper in the ACC for the upcoming season.
On the latest episode of the College Gameday Podcast, Rece Davis named NC State as his ACC sleeper team.
“NC State would be the first one that comes to mind from the ACC for me. They may be preseason top 25 anyway,” Davis said. “But with the addition of (transfer QB) Grayson McCall… they’ve got a really good receiver room now. I think KC Concepcion, their slot receiver, I think was ACC Rookie of the Year last year, and he was very productive. They’ve added some guys through the portal. I think they’ll be fine up front. They’re usually solid on defense.”
Besides Clemson and defending conference champion Florida State, Davis believes NC State has the best shot to win the ACC this season — if the Wolfpack can stop “stepping on the rake.”
“I think if I looked at a team outside of Florida State, Clemson who might win the ACC, I would give them the best chance,” Davis said. “Now, we try to be positive in this podcast and we want to be. But North Carolina State needs to avoid stepping on the rake and hitting themselves in the face, which has been a problem for generations basically.”
The Wolfpack face an early season test when they take on the Tennessee Volunteers – who Davis pegged as his SEC sleeper team – at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Sept. 7.
“I do think we’ll know a lot about them when they play (Tennessee) in Charlotte Week 2,” Davis said. “Because I think Tennessee is the one that’s getting a little overlooked in the preseason with all of the other SEC teams that are going to be ranked in the top 10.”
NC State — which hasn’t won the ACC title since 1979 — travels to Clemson on Sept. 21 for the two teams’ 2024 conference opener at Memorial Stadium.
After a road loss in Raleigh last year, the Tigers will try to extend their home dominance over the Wolfpack. A win would extend Clemson’s home winning streak against NC State in Death Valley to 10 games.
Dabo Swinney is 8-2 all-time against Dave Doeren, Swinney’s second-highest winning percentage against a head coach against whom he’s coached at least 10 games (10-0 vs. Dave Clawson).
–Photo courtesy of Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available. Get yours while supplies last! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!
