Certainly, head coach Dave Doeren has not gotten full credit. Consider that Doeren has produced more wins for the Wolfpack than Doeren. Additionally, Doeren has led the Wolfpack to nine bowl berths. Perhaps the lack of appreciation for NCAAF future odds stems from Doeren’s inability to win an ACC championship. NC State is usually good and sometimes very good under Doeren. However, they have never been great. Cause by the NC State program’s football gravity rather than Doeren himself. Consider that the Wolfpack has only one Top Ten final finish in its history.
2025 SBG College Football Futures NC State Wolfpack
| Odds to Win National Championship: | +20000 |
|---|---|
| Odds to Win ACC Championship: | +4000 |
| Over/Under Win Total: | 6.5 |
2025 NC State Wolfpack Schedule
- Aug 28 vs. East Carolina
- Sep 6 vs. Virginia
- Sep 11 at Wake Forest
- Sep 20 at Duke
- Sep 27 vs. Virginia Tech
- Oct 4 vs. Campbell
- Oct 11 at Notre Dame
- Oct 18 OFF
- Oct 25 at Pitt
- Nov 1 vs. Georgia Tech
- Nov 8 OFF
- Nov 15 at Miami-FL
- Nov 21 vs. Florida State
- Nov 29 vs. North Carolina
Following a 9-4 record and final national ranking of 18th in 2023, the NC State Wolfpack took a major online wagering step back in 2024. In sum, NC State finished 6-7 with a loss in the Military Bowl. It was the first losing season for NC State since 2019 and just the third since Dave Doeren took over in 2013.
With new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper and a group of new weapons, NC State appears primed to score. The defense, which helped keep the Pack in games last year, could have some growing pains in 2025 college football futures. In turn, if the defense finds its footing, NC State has the opportunity to compete for an ACC Championship Game appearance in 2025.
Last season’s 6-7 record was NC State’s first losing mark since 2019. Still, Dave Doeren guided the program to its fifth straight bowl appearance. Now, there are new coordinators on both sides of the ball. Additionally, there is the development of promising quarterback CJ Bailey. Could the Wolfpack make a big jump in the ACC standings?
Sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey is Doeren’s biggest reason for optimism in ‘25. Last year, as a true freshman, Bailey threw for 2,413 yards and 14 touchdowns and finished sixth among ACC signal-callers in completion rate (64.9 percent).
New play-caller Kurt Roper aims to take Bailey’s game to the next level. And having talented pass catchers in tight end Justin Joly and receivers Noah Rogers and Justin Grimes can aid in that development. Also, running back Hollywood Smothers (571 yards in ’24) is poised for a breakout year.
New coordinator D.J. Eliot inherits a defense that ranked 15th in the ACC in points allowed per contest (29.7). In turn, he is navigating significant offseason turnover in the secondary. Linebackers Caden Fordham and Sean Brown form a solid second level. At the same time, Temple transfer Tra Thomas could boost a pass rush that generated only 16 sacks in ACC play last season.
The Wolfpack will do well enough in September to overcome a slew of misfires over the second half of the season. It’ll lose two of the back-to-back road games and split the dates versus Georgia Tech and Florida State before facing North Carolina. Finally, reaching 8-4 would be solid, while 7-5 might be more realistic if there’s an early mistake.