David M. Hale 9y

Toughest three-game stretch: N.C. State

We're continuing our look at the toughest stretches for each of the ACC's teams in 2015. Next up: North Carolina State.

Stretch:

  • Oct. 31 vs. Clemson

  • Nov. 7 at Boston College

  • Nov. 14 at Florida State

Why it's tough: If N.C. State is really going to compete for the Atlantic Division, this three-game stretch will be the deciding factor. Last year, the Wolfpack were thumped by Clemson 41-0, were barely competitive against Boston College in a 30-14 loss and, after building a 24-7 lead in the first quarter against Florida State, were outscored 49-17 the rest of the way. The consensus is that N.C. State has taken a big step forward, but those numbers suggest it had a long way to go.

All three Wolfpack opponents have seen stars leave, however, so perhaps N.C. State can move the ball against Clemson without Vic Beasley on the field or slow down the Eagles without Tyler Murphy or avoid catastrophe without Jameis Winston's heroics. Still, playing two of those games away from home makes it a daunting task, and Dave Doeren's crew still has a lot to prove.

Odds for success: 25 percent. The good thing for the Wolfpack is that its early slate is a cake walk with four nonconference games against teams outside the Power 5 before hosting Louisville and traveling to Virginia Tech. That should give Doeren both time to get his pieces in place and a few legitimate tests before the gauntlet begins. But if N.C. State really wants to win the Atlantic and play in the ACC title game for the first time, even a 2-1 record in these games may not be enough. The division is stacked, and N.C. State hasn't toppled both Clemson and Florida State in the same year since 2002.

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