'Stanford' Steve Coughlin predicts over 6.5 wins for NC State in 2023

Clemson and Florida State are the talk of the town in the ACC. Nonetheless, ESPN’s Steve Coughlin believes NC State could make some noise this season.

“It’s a wildcard. I’ll take the candy with Brennan Armstrong and Anae at NC State at over 6.5 [wins],” Coughlin said on “Andy Staples On3.”

Coughlin’s prediction aligns with ESPN’s FPI Index, which expects NC state to win 7.3 games this season. Nonetheless, doubt is understandable. The Wolfpack lost their QB1, Devin Leary, this offseason in the transfer portal.

Leary exploded for 3,433 yards, 35 touchdowns and only five interceptions in 2021. The 6-foot-2 playcaller was the 2022 ACC Preseason Player of the Year before suffering a torn pectoral muscle and missing the season.

Despite the significant loss, Doeren didn’t wallow in his sorrows. Instead, Doeren added former Virginia offensive coordinator Robert Anae to the program. Further, Anae wasn’t alone. Brennan Armstrong joined Anae in his move.

Armstrong started for the Cavaliers for three years, boasting 9,034 passing yards, 58 touchdowns and 35 interceptions. Entering his sixth and final eligible season, Armstrong is expected to deliver a massive 2023 campaign. Yet, the Wolfpack is still receiving scarce preseason praise.

“This is one of those years when the hype is not crazy. That’s when I like Dave Doeren,” Coughlin said. “He’s sound at whatever he does. The defense is going to be well. That’s why they’re always in games on the road. I like that mix there of NC State over 6.5 [wins].”

On3’s Andy Staples agreed with Coughlin’s assessment.

“That feels so low to me,” Staples said. “Every Dave Doeren team, even when they disappoint, wins eight games.”

Dave Doeren believes in his team

He’s not wrong. The 51-year-old head coach has guided NC State to at least eight wins in five of the last six seasons. In that span, Doeren has three nine-win campaigns under his belt. Entering his 11th season at the helm, Doeren is happy with his squad.

“There’s good competitive depth on our roster,” Doeren said on Aug. 16. “It’s good young players developing at the same time. So we still got two weeks. Hopefully we can kind of stay in the same place. Most of the things we’re dealing with are very minor.

“You see consistent play out of some players and the biggest thing we’re looking for is just the individual improvement on a daily basis and to get the little things each day with different guys. Overall, it’s been good.”

On Aug. 31, NC State will square off against UConn in its season opener.