Ranking the difficulty of NC State's remaining games

NC State heads into its bye week looking to regroup after suffering its second loss of the season against Syracuse. The Wolfpack face the second half of the season without Devin Leary and, following a weekend without touchdowns, the program has some questions to answer during its off week.

With five games remaining in the 2022 season, The Wolfpacker took a look at the opponents and ranked them from least to most difficult.

5) Virginia Tech

This is a dream matchup for the Wolfpack coming off the bye week. Virginia Tech is 2-5, and that includes a season-opening loss to Old Dominion. The Hokies are struggling mightily on offense this year, averaging 19.1 points per game this year, and quarterback Grant Wells has been turnover-prone all season.

In a primetime matchup under the lights of Carter-Finley Stadium, with a week to rest and prepare, the matchup sets up as a perfect opportunity to get back into the win column. The quality of opponent paired with the scheduling puts Hokies at the bottom of the rankings.

4) Boston College

Boston College got a glimmer of hope this season when it pulled off a one-point win over Louisville but, other than that, it has been a rough season for the Eagles. They started the season 0-4 and recently lost a primetime home game 31-3 against Clemson.

Wide receiver Zay Flowers is the main offensive playmaker for the Eagles and, if the Pack can slow him down, it should be another relatively low-scoring game. Boston College’s defense does not make up for its offense either, giving up 29 points per game— the second worst average in the conference. This is another home game for the Wolfpack, and it should end with an NC State victory.

3) Louisville

After falling to Boston College, Louisville bounced back on the road against a really bad UVA team and won 34-17 without star quarterback Malik Cunningham, who will likely be under center against NC State. The Cardinals boast the best rushing offense in the conference, and Cunningham will be a tough matchup for the Wolfpack defense with his ability to change the game on the ground.

The showdown with Louisville will also be a road game late in the season directly before the North Carolina game. All of that sets up for a close game against the Cardinals, with the Wolfpack’s ability to slow down Cunningham and score against a defense that has given up more than 30 points to 3 ACC opponents this year likely making the difference.

2) North Carolina

North Carolina jumped into the AP Poll at No. 22 this week, directly in front of NC State, thanks to the high-powered offense led by quarterback Drake Maye. The Tar Heels are averaging 326.7 passing yards per game, first in the ACC, but are also dead last in the conference in defending through the air.

That combination has led to some high-scoring, close wins but, nonetheless, the program is 6-1 through the first half of its season. With the game slated to take place the day after thanksgiving, this matchup could have major ramifications for UNC’s Coastal Division hopes.

NC State will have to either find out a way to slow down Maye or score enough to keep up with the Tar Heels. North Carolina’s defense is very bad, but this still sets up for a difficult road matchup for the Wolfpack to wrap up the regular season.

1) Wake Forest

The top-two spots on this list are super close, but No. 13 Wake Forest checks in at the top spot due its consistent, experienced offense. Since returning to the lineup, Sam Hartman has been outstanding for the Demon Deacons, and they were a few plays away from a win over Clemson and an undefeated record.

Wake Forest played the Tigers closer than anyone has this season, and its wide receiver corps will be extremely tough to defend. NC State hosts them Nov. 5 and will have to slow down the ACC’s No. 2 scoring offense to leave with a win.

This is by-far the Pack’s most difficult remaining game at home. Wake Forest’s defense is not great, but it is definitely better than North Carolina’s, which gives it the advantage in this ranking.