Dave Doeren has the Wolfpack going in the right direction. North Carolina State posted its best season yet under Doeren in 2017, finishing 9-4. It was the fourth straight season that the Wolfpack went to a bowl game, and it was the school’s first nine-win season since 2010.
Doeren is looking to keep the momentum going in 2018. NC State has only had one season with 10 wins or more in its history, so getting to that mark would make him a legend. The schedule is somewhat favorable, but the Wolfpack will have to replace ACC Defensive Player of the Year Bradley Chubb.
North Carolina State 2018 regular season win total
Over 7 (-115)
Under 7 (-115)
Odds courtesy of BetDSI Sportsbook
What Happened Last Year
Everything came together for the Wolfpack in 2017. Chubb was a force of nature at defensive end. He was responsible for 26 tackles for loss and 10 sacks and constantly drew double teams, freeing up his teammates. His production will certainly be missed this season.
Pairing Eliah Drinkwitz with Ryan Finley worked too. Drinkwitz was Finley’s offensive coordinator at Boise State a few years ago, and the duo has found success in Raleigh. Finley was extremely efficient, and he did not make mistakes with the football. At one point, he threw 339 passes without an interception, and he ended up tossing just six picks last season.
What Will Change This Year
Finley is back and that will be a big boon to the offense. Unfortunately, he will not have a lot of the weapons that he had last year. Do-it-all running back Jaylen Samuels is gone, as is workhorse Nyheim Hines. The team’s top three wide receivers in terms of production do return though. That should lead to Finley posting even better numbers in 2018.
The defense is going to be an issue though. This unit not only loses Chubb, but seven other starters from last year’s team. The strength of the Wolfpack defense will be the secondary. The team’s three returning starters from last year are all defensive backs, and that should make this one of the tougher teams to throw on. However, with so much inexperience in the front six, there are major concerns up front.
Special teams are a potential issue too. Punter A.J. Cole III is one of the better punters in the ACC, but the kicking game was a nightmare in 2017. Wolfpack kickers combined to go just 4-13 on field goal attempts of 30 yards or more, and that put Doeren in some awkward spots. The team desperately needs improvement in this area.
Outlook & Prediction
The schedule breaks well for the Wolfpack. NC State plays five of its first six games at home, and the team has a very good chance to start the season 6-0. The toughest games over the first half of the season will be at home against West Virginia and Boston College, and wins in those two should have the Wolfpack highly ranked heading into their showdown with Clemson.
The latter half of the schedule is tough, but by then the young players will have the experience they need to see it through. NC State should not have a problem winning seven games and are likely to win eight. That makes the over a very good bet.
