After a productive offseason, NC State football looks to put its skills to the test with a schedule that features a revamped ACC and many familiar foes.
Week 1 vs Western Carolina
The Pack will start its 2024 season on Aug. 29 as it takes on the Western Carolina Catamounts in a Thursday evening showdown. In its first matchup since 2019, NC State has won all seven of its contests against the Catamounts. Despite most expecting the Pack to cruise in its season opener, fans should not overlook Western Carolina as it is fresh off a 7-4 campaign in 2023.
Week 2 vs Tennessee
Little time will pass until NC State encounters its first huge test of the season. The Pack will hit the road for a contest with the Tennessee Volunteers in the Dukes Mayo Classic in Charlotte. As a marquee matchup, this gives the Pack an early opportunity to assert itself on the national stage. With much buzz around the dominance that the SEC commands in college football, it would do NC State well to pull off a win here. However, the Wolfpack hasn’t beaten an SEC squad since 2016.
The Volunteers enter the season ranked No. 15 in the AP Poll and look to be one of the nation’s best. After finishing 9-4 with a win in the Citrus Bowl, Tennessee returns star quarterback Nico Iamaleava. The Pack will have its hands full if it wants to contain a team as talented as Tennessee.
Week 3 vs Louisiana Tech
The Pack got more than what it wanted the last time it faced Louisiana Tech, squeaking by with a narrow win during the 2021 season. Coming off of three straight seasons in which the Bulldogs finished 3-9, the Pack will likely have to fend off a hungry team that is looking to make vast improvements.
Week 4 at Clemson
It is rare for a team to have both of its most challenging games within the first month of the season. However, that is the reality for NC State as it travels to Death Valley to take on the Clemson Tigers. Over the past decade, the Tigers have owned the ACC, emerging victorious in seven of the last ten conference championships. If the Pack is to truly make noise at the top of the ACC, it will need to take down the mammoth Clemson Tigers in their own backyard.
It has been 22 years since NC State has defeated the Tigers within the confines of Death Valley. Despite many pondering if the Clemson dynasty is at the end of its days, there is no doubt that this matchup will be a tough one for NC State.
Week 5 vs Northern Illinois
As NC State rounds out its nonconference schedule, it will welcome the Northern Illinois Huskies to Raleigh. In the Pack’s Parents Weekend game, Head Coach Dave Doeren will take on his former school.
Week 6 vs Wake Forest
Last season, the Pack conquered one of its largest demons as it defeated Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, North Carolina for the first time since 2015. This year, it will look to extend its winning streak against the Demon Deacons to three. Even though Wake Forest has been a consistent face at the top of the ACC for several years, it is currently in the midst of a rebuild as it finished 4-8 last season and missed a bowl game for the first time since 2015.
Week 7 vs Syracuse
Despite the Orange finishing last season 6-7 and ending its campaign on a blowout loss in its bowl game, Syracuse looks to be a sleeper team in the ACC with the addition of transfer quarterback Kyle McCord. NC State will look to avenge a frustrating loss at the JMA Wireless Dome in 2022, in which it failed to score a touchdown.
Week 8 at California
As a product of conference realignment, NC State will travel across the country to take on the California Golden Bears. In its first ever matchup with Cal, the Pack will have to avoid a potential trap game. Even though the Golden Bears finished 6-7 last season and in eighth place in the last year of the Pac-12, NC State will still have to deal with its largest week of travel all season long.
Week 10 vs Stanford
Also playing its first ever game against the Cardinal, NC State will welcome Stanford to Raleigh. Despite the rich history that flows from Stanford football, the program is amidst a rebuild as it has dealt with three straight 3-9 campaigns.
Week 11 vs Duke
In its home finale and senior day, NC State will take on the Duke Blue Devils. For many, this may be the most anticipated of the Pack’s home games. With newly acquired graduate running back Jordan Waters, this marks an opportunity for him to take on his former squad. Last season, it was the Blue Devils who dealt the Wolfpack an embarrassing 24-3 loss.
Week 13 at Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech already pulled off a stunning upset over No. 10 Florida State in the very first game of the college football season. The Yellow Jackets are gunning for glory as one of the dark horses of the ACC so a potential duel between two conference contenders fighting for a spot in a championship game is sure to be entertaining.
Week 14 at North Carolina
The Wolfpack currently commands the trajectory in the age-old, Tobacco Road rivalry as it has won the last three games against the Heels. Despite several key departures, Carolina is still a formidable foe, boasting the likes of preseason All-American running back Omarion Hampton. NC State will look to replicate the likes of its thrilling double overtime win over UNC in Chapel Hill in 2022.
