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N.C. State Football: 3 Reasons to be Optimistic about 2019

By Christian Candeloro

RALEIGH, NC - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Dave Doeren and the North Carolina State Wolfpack prepare to take the field during their game against the James Madison Dukes at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Dave Doeren and the North Carolina State Wolfpack prepare to take the field during their game against the James Madison Dukes at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – NOVEMBER 18: Malik Carney #53 of the North Carolina Tar Heels tackles Tyrie Adams #12 of the Western Carolina Catamounts at Kenan Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – NOVEMBER 18: Malik Carney #53 of the North Carolina Tar Heels tackles Tyrie Adams #12 of the Western Carolina Catamounts at Kenan Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

2. Weak Schedule

If there were ever a perfect schedule for a transition year, it’s the Wolfpack’s 2019 slate. The Wolfpack starts with cupcake games in three of the first four, facing East Carolina, Western Carolina and Ball State.

Sandwiched in between those games is a road tilt with a similarly rebuilding West Virginia team on the road. The Mountaineers lost star quarterback Will Grier and receiver David Sills to the NFL Draft and are projected to finish 7th in the Big 12 by Athlon Sports. If N.C. State can get it’s act together quicker than West Virginia, it’s possible the Wolfpack could start 4-0.

The ACC slate is similarly weak, with N.C. State’s crossover games being Georgia Tech and North Carolina. Georgia Tech is in the midst of a massive transition from the option to a more pro-style system and is expected to take a massive step back. UNC is breaking in a new coach as well and time will tell if it will make a difference after the Tar Heels went 2-9 last season.

Louisville and Florida State were dumpster fires last season, although it’s likely the Seminoles are much better in 2019. Wake Forest and Boston College on the road will be difficult but they come later in the season.

Yes, yes I know that the defending National Champion Clemson Tigers are on the schedule, but isn’t that pretty much a loss for every team not in the Top 10?

This schedule is very conducive to at the very least a bowl game for Doeren and company.

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