JD PicKell tabs NC State as the ACC's biggest sleeper in 2023

Last season, NC State was a popular pick to make a run at the ACC crown. Things didn’t quite work out like that, though, with the Wolfpack going 8-5 and losing their starting quarterback to the transfer portal. Now, going into 2023, NC State is firmly under the radar.

On3’s JD PicKell is high on the Wolfpack, though, seeing them as the ACC’s biggest sleeper for the 2023 season.

“NC State is our dark horse in the ACC,” PicKell said The Hard Count. “They are at +1500 to win the conference. They have the fifth best odds.”

“I looked at this and I was like, ‘Fifth best odds? +1500?’ Man, put some respect on Dave Doeren’s name. Have we not seen what this man has built at NC State over the last couple of years? Have we not seen just year in and year out he puts together competitive teams?” PicKell said.

“I understand they lose a lot on defense. That’s why they’re a dark horse. That’s why we’re getting the odds that we’re getting at NC State. But Dave Doeren, now he puts together solid defenses year in and year out. It feels like, to me.”

To replace quarterback Devin Leary, NC State is bringing in Virginia transfer Brennan Armstrong. He has a successful history working with new offensive coordinator Robert Anae.

“Also, are we going to act like Brennan Armstrong wasn’t just him in 2021? When he was at Virginia with Robert Anae, and Robert Anae is now the OC at NC State. Brennan Armstrong is now going to be the quarterback at NC State. Those two are back together now. Last time they were together, Brennan Armstrong threw for 31 touchdowns and over 4,400 yards,” PicKell said.

“Why are we sleeping on NC State so hard? I get there’s Clemson, I get there’s Florida State. Heck, I get that Drake Maye is at UNC. I’m all about it. We’re picking a dark horse here, let’s take a closer look at NC State. Take a look at the pack. They get Louisville, Clemson, North Carolina all at the crib. I like it. I like it a lot. Feels like the formula for a dark horse team in the ACC.”

Brennan Armstrong is happy with the NC State offense’s progress

Brennan Armstrong has experience with Robert Anae, but the rest of the Wolfpack don’t. Meanwhile, Armstrong needs to build relationships with his teammates. Luckily, to this point, he’s happy with the team’s progress.

“I’m very happy where we’re at. A lot of guys — I think it just comes down to the willingness of the guys. I think they’re willing to work and get better, and they understand you know, I think with just Coach and I’s pedigree, I guess with what he did last year against the defense, and how good the defense was,” Armstrong said.

“There’s just a lot of like, ‘Okay, if we work really hard and we do this on ourselves, we put this on ourselves then we can really make this thing special.’ So I think it just comes down to the players, and they’ve been great so far.”