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NC State climbs to No. 16 in College Football Playoff Poll

On3 imageby:Ethan McDowell•11/08/22•

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RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 27: Players of the North Carolina State Wolfpack take the field prior to their game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Carter-Finley Stadium on October 27, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)

After teetering on the edge of the polls over the past couple of weeks, NC State made a statement against Wake Forest, stifling the Demon Deacon offense and turning that positive momentum in to points during a 30-21 win. The College Football Playoff Committee took notice, and the Wolfpack climbed 6 spots to 16 in the second edition of the poll.

NC State started out last week ranked No. 22 by the committee, but the win over No. 21 Wake Forest helped its case significantly. The Demon Deacons fell out of the poll following its loss, as did Syracuse following its third-consecutive defeat. Pittsburgh defeated the Orange 19-9 at home. Clemson, North Carolina and NC State remained ranked in the playoff poll, with Florida State also rising into the poll at No. 23.

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Clemson dropped to 10 after its loss on the road to Notre Dame, while North Carolina continued its climb up the rankings to No. 15. The Tar Heels are 8-1 and just defeated Virginia on the road 31-28.

Clemson’s loss has a significant impact on the bowl outlook for both of the remaining ranked ACC programs. The Tigers were on track to make another trip to the playoffs if they went undefeated and won the conference title.

While the ACC championship is still very much in play for the program, the playoffs will be challenging. If they win the conference but are left out of the playoff, Clemson will play in the Orange Bowl, a bid that previously would have been awarded to one of the other ranked ACC programs.

NC State is 7-2 on the season and 3-2 in conference play. Both of NC State’s losses, to Clemson and Syracuse, came against ranked opponents until the Orange dropped out of the polls due to a stagnant offense and injuries. The Wolfpack was ranked in all 6 College Football Playoff Committee polls last season, the first time in the history of the poll that that has happened, so the program’s ranking this week extends that streak.

The Wolfpack could set up a potential top-15 rivalry matchup against North Carolina with wins over Boston College and Louisville in the next couple of weeks.

The complete College Football Playoff Rankings

1. Georgia (9-0)

2. Ohio State (9-0)

3. Michigan (9-0)

4. TCU (9-0)

5. Tennessee (8-1)

6. Oregon (8-1)

7. LSU (7-2)

8. USC (8-1)

9. Alabama (7-2)

10. Clemson (8-1)

11. Ole Miss (8-1)

12. UCLA (8-1)

13. Utah (7-2)

14. Penn State (7-2)

15. North Carolina (8-1)

16. NC State (7-2)

17. Tulane (8-1)

18. Texas (6-3)

29. Kansas State (6-3)

20. Notre Dame (6-3)

21. Illinois (7-2)

22. UCF (7-2)

23. Florida State (6-3)

24. Kentucky (6-3)

25. Washington (7-2)

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