NC State football schedule for 2022: What they're saying

During the ACC Network’s The Huddle show unveiling the 2022 football schedule, the announcing crew proved bullish on NC State football.

Asked by host Jordan Cornette to reveal some early picks for the ACC championship game, former Georgia and Miami head coach Mark Richt did not hesitate in stepping up first with his choices.

“NC State, I think, is the most balanced team in the league,” Richt noted. “I think they are going to win their side of the division, without any doubt, and then I am taking the boys at the U. It’s usually year two when the coach gets his act together, but I think Coach [Manny Diaz] left a lot of really good players, and Coach [Mario] Cristobal understands the culture of that place.”

While both Eric Mac Lain and EJ Manuel chose Clemson to win the Atlantic, Cornette agreed with Richt in picking the Wolfpack. Manuel went with Pittsburgh to repeat in the Coastal Division, while Mac Lain and Cornette both sided with Richt in choosing Miami.

“But I would not be shocked by NC State or Pitt playing in the game,” Mac Lain added.

The Huddle went through the schedules week by week, and here are some thoughts on what they felt about some of the contests on NC State’s slate:

Texas Tech at NC State (Sept. 17)

“Texas Tech has a new offensive coordinator who came over from Western Kentucky. I had a chance to call their bowl game last year, Bailey Zappe threw for a billion yards. You know they are going to throw the ball a lot, but NC State is bringing back a lot of great defenders, obviously an excellent quarterback as well, so that should be a good matchup for them outside the ACC.” — Manuel

NC State at Clemson (Oct. 1)

“It’s going to be a fantastic matchup. You look at quarterback play for NC State. You look at all the experience they are going to have, you look at all the excitement that is going to be around that NC State program. Now you are adding a potential ranked matchup in the Valley.” – Mac Lain

“The shine got knocked off of Clemson just a little bit last year, and the team that gave them the biggest black eye, the first punch, was NC State. So, NC State is not going to have that fear factor, they will have a confidence factor rolling into the game.” – Richt

“I wouldn’t say the identity is only defense at NC State. … You got Devin Leary coming back, you’ve got a bunch of excellent receivers. They got a good receiver from Maryland in the transfer portal [Darryl Jones], so he should help to replace what Emeka Emezie was for them offensively. I think it’s a great matchup.” – Manuel

“I think they [NC State] are going to be the most balanced team in the league, when you look at this league. What they do all three phases, they’re going to be lights out.” – Mac Lain

NC State at Syracuse (Oct. 15)

“[Running back] Sean Tucker for the Cuse Orange, very excited about him, but this NC State defense, they are tenacious. It’s going to be very interesting to see. When you look at this, maybe a trap game for North Carolina State that favors Syracuse.” – Mac Lain

NC State at North Carolina (Nov. 25)

“NC State-UNC is one that really gets me going. … I just think that one given what transpired a year ago has the potential to provide some fire.” – Cornette

“If you look at the scales at who can win and who cannot win, and you always got to look at that quarterback position, it’s going to be tilted heavily towards NC State that day.” – Richt

Other Headlines On NC State Football Schedule

A look around at what some other media members are saying about Pack football’s slate:

The Wolfpacker — NC State football 2022 schedule: 10 observations

“For the eighth consecutive year, NC State is scheduled to end the regular season against archrival UNC. In his tenure, Doeren is 5-4 against the Heels.

“In 2020, the schedule was revamped due to COVID-19, and the game in Chapel Hill was played earlier in the slate. Two years before that, the cancellation of the West Virginia contest opened the door for a late-scheduled NC State home game against East Carolina a week after the originally planned regular-season finale at UNC.

“Thus, the last time NC State ended its regular season in Chapel Hill was 2016, when Doeren arguably saved his job with a 28-21 win over UNC.

“The UNC ender is part of a two-game road trip to conclude the fall. A week prior the Pack will be at Louisville. Ending the regular season with two road games has not happened since 2010, when the famous two-yard Hail Mary from Russell Wilson helped NC State beat UNC in Chapel Hill, 29-25. The Pack then lost at Maryland, 38-31, with a trip to the ACC championship game on the line.

“The last home game is scheduled to be against Boston College Nov. 12, the finale of a three-game home stand beginning with the Thursday night contest against the Hokies and then Wake Forest Nov. 5.

“The Wolfpack will have two home games in October for the first time since 2016.”

College Football News — NC State football schedule: 3 things to know

“Again, there’s a nice mix in September to build up to the rest of the slate, and the killer against Clemson is out of the way early. There isn’t another game after that to totally freak out about.

“It’s a schedule built for a monster season. Get by the Tigers in Death Valley, and look out.”

Jonas Pope IV, Raleigh News & Observer — ACC football schedule is out. What 2022 season will look like for NC State, UNC, Duke

“The Pack starts conference play on the road at Clemson. If N.C. State is serious about winning the Atlantic and getting to Charlotte, it starts with a test against the Tigers. The Pack won a two-overtime thriller over Clemson last season, but hasn’t had success in Death Valley since the 2002 season.”

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