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NC State Football Woes Continue, Bowl Game Seems Doubtful

An NC State football team that began the year with a ranking by its name now has a losing record.

Matt Giles

NC State football head coach Dave Doeren
NC State football head coach Dave Doeren / Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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No matter what happens from here on out, NC State football will finish the 2024 campaign with its worst record since 2019. The Wolfpack (5-6, 2-5 ACC), No. 24 in the preseason AP Top 25 Poll, is leaving Atlanta on Thursday night with a 30-29 loss to the unranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (7-4, 5-3 ACC) in tow.

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Turnovers proved costly. Unsurprisingly, as has routinely been the case this year, the Wolfpack found a way to lose when it mattered most:

Now, NC State has dropped two straight, including a 29-19 home loss to the Duke Blue Devils prior to a bye week, and four of its past six.

So, all of the NC State football squad's postseason hopes lie in the road showdown against the UNC Tar Heels (6-4, 3-3 ACC) at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Nov. 30 (ACC Network). And momentum is not on the Pack's side.

Considering the preseason hype, should Dave Doeren's 12th Wolfpack bunch fall to Mack Brown's Tar Heels, who are enjoying a late-season charge via their three-game winning streak, the team in Raleigh shall go down as one of the biggest underperformers in program history.

Simple as that. Indeed, there's no sense in sugarcoating anything at this point.

NC State was the only ACC squad in the Triangle to begin the year in the AP Top 25. But the Blue Devils, who notched their sixth win five weeks ago, and Tar Heels, who improved to 6-4 via a home win over Wake Forest on Saturday night, may well be the only ones to achieve bowl eligibility. Ouch.

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Stay tuned to NC State Wolfpack On SI for more NC State football news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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