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NC State football is a top-25 team for the first time this season

On3 imageby:Ethan McDowell•11/19/23•

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Dave Doeren
Nov 4, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren encourages his team as they warm up prior to a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

NC State football is officially a top-25 team. The Wolfpack climbed into the USA Today Coaches Poll Sunday afternoon at No. 24.

After winning four-consecutive games, the program sits at 8-3 going into a rivalry clash with UNC. The Tar Heels share the same record but dropped out of the top 25 following their 31-20 loss to Clemson this weekend.

This is a six-spot climb for the Wolfpack, which recorded 94 points in its vault into the rankings. NC State is one of three ACC programs in the top 25 of the coaches poll, joining Florida State (No. 4) and Louisville (No. 9). Clemson and UNC also received votes.

In the Associated Press Poll, also released Sunday afternoon, the Pack remained unranked. NC State picked up 66 points in the poll, which puts the program two spots out of the top 25. Tennessee (No. 25) and Missouri are the two teams ahead of the Wolfpack. Both UNC and Clemson also picked up votes in the AP Poll.

After going into its bye week 4-3, NC State has now defeated Clemson, Miami, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech in consecutive weeks. The Wolfpack now has a chance to defeat UNC at home and put a 10-win season within reach going into the bowl game.

Graduate linebacker Payton Wilson discussed his emotions going into his final regular-season game with the program.

“I’m just excited,” Wilson said. “Sad, excited, ready for the next chapter but, at the same time, I want to finish this out as strong as we possibly can.”

The complete USA Today Coaches Poll

RankTeamPoints
1Georgia 1571
2Ohio State1460
3Michigan1458
4Florida State1375
5Washington 1367
6Oregon 1234
7Texas 1193
8Alabama1174
9Louisville 1035
10Missouri 981
11Penn State 908
12Ole Miss863
13Oklahoma 840
14LSU726
15Oregon State684
16Arizona 568
17Notre Dame536
18Tulane 493
19Iowa 447
20Kansas State424
21Oklahoma State299
22Liberty 158
23Tennessee 109
24NC State97
25SMU84

“The US LBM Coaches Poll is conducted weekly throughout the regular season using a panel of 66 head coaches at Football Bowl Subdivision schools,” the USA Today website reads. “The panel is chosen by random draw, conference by conference plus independents, from a pool of coaches who have indicated to the American Football Coaches Association their willingness to participate.”

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