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NC State bowl projections: Where the Pack stands after earning fifth win of 2025 season

image_6483441 (3)by: Noah Fleischman15 hours agofleischman_noah
Noah Rogers
Nov 1, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack wide receiver Noah Rogers (5) catches a pass during the second quarter against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive back Rodney Shelley (6) at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

NC State is one win away from bowl eligibility after it knocked off No. 8 Georgia Tech in upset fashion this past weekend. The Wolfpack has three games remaining in the regular season, and as it heads into its final open date, the program is preparing to earn another trip to the postseason this fall. 

While the Pack needs to win at least one more game to secure a spot in a bowl game this season, many national experts project the team to do so with Miami, Florida State and UNC remaining on the regular season schedule.

The most-commonly projected game, at this stage of the season, is either the Fenway or Military Bowls, while the Military and Pinstripe Bowls are also on the table, according to various experts around the country.

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach tabbed the Wolfpack to play at Fenway Park on Dec. 27 against South Florida, while The Athletic had Temple as the opponent and On3 slotted Tulane against NC State at the home of the Boston Red Sox. The Pack has yet to play in the Fenway Bowl in the postseason game’s three-year history.

While a trip to Boston could be on the table, so is a return trek to the Military Bowl in Annapolis, Md., after the Wolfpack lost 26-21 to East Carolina in the game last season. ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura and Sports Illustrated put the Pack against Tulane in the contest, while CBS Sports projected NC State to take on Navy, the host team for the postseason tilt, which is also set for Dec. 27. 

In addition to the Fenway and Military Bowls, Athlon Sports and College Football News projected NC State to play in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium against Illinois and Penn State, respectively, on Dec. 27 in the Bronx. USA Today, meanwhile, slotted the Wolfpack to battle UCF in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Jan. 2. 

Although a postseason game seems likely for NC State, if it were unable to earn one more win this season, it would be the first time the program missed the postseason since it wnt 4-8 in 2019.

The Pack has appeared in nine bowl games (qualified for 10, but the 2021 Holiday Bowl was canceled due to positive COVID-19 tests within UCLA’s program) under 13th-year coach Dave Doeren, but NC State has not won in the postseason since it beat Arizona State 52-31 in the 2017 Sun Bowl.

NC State has also played in the Belk, Gator, Independence and Pop-Tarts Bowls during Doeren’s tenure.