NC State had such high expectations coming into the season. Through bad luck, injuries, and poor play the Wolfpack went into their instate rivalry game with UNC 7-4.
A 5-loss regular season would have been bitterly disappointing especially with arch-rival North Carolina just a week ago being 9-1 and your Coastal Division Champion.
The Wolfpack had to go into the game at Chapel Hill with a QB in Ben Finley who at times this year was 4th on the depth chart.
Surely UNC would rebound after a debacle of a loss the week before to Georgia Tech. NC State was coming off their loss to Louisville as their season was about to come off the rails.
None of this happened as NC State dug in deep played a tremendous defensive game and built a gameplan around what Ben Finley could do in a stirring 30-27 OT victory.
For their part, North Carolina lost so much in the last 2 weeks.
Any shot at the Heisman for Drake Maye – gone
A trip to NYC for Drake Maye – likely gone
Shot at the playoffs – gone
In-State bragging rights with NC State – gone
Orange Bowl – likely gone
Senior Night – ruined
It’s happened because in back-to-back weeks UNC lost to 3rd and 4th string QBs.
NC State has a level of resilience and growth that comes from a program that’s become very solid. NC State hasn’t arrived yet, but when the floor of your program is 8 wins, you’re doing something right.
Now the Wolfpack can look towards a bowl and a possible 9 win top 25 ranked season.
North Carolina still has an ACC Title to play for which could cure a lot of the ills of the last 2 weeks, but does UNC look like that team anymore?
We’ll see, but right now Mack Brown and staff have to wonder how their special season is falling apart so fast.
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