What we’ve learned since NC State’s first open week after splitting pair of ACC games

NC State coach Dave Doeren went into the Wolfpack’s first bye week with the idea of a four-game mini season to close the 2024 campaign. His team was 4-4 going into the open date, an opportunity to replicate last year’s five-game winning streak to close the schedule.  That was the goal, but NC State is 1-1 since its open date as it has its second and final weekend off to prepare for the Pack’s last two games: at Georgia Tech and at North Carolina. The Wolfpack (5-5, 2-4 ACC) is looking to make a fifth straight bowl game and avoid its first losing record in league play since the dismal 1-7 mark against conference opponents in 2019.  With that in mind, here are three things we have learned since NC State emerged from its first open week as it enters its second — a new wrinkle to the 2024 schedule — before it finishes the year on the road.