College Football Rankings 2020: Projected AP Top 25 for Week 8

NC State was behind for the entire first half against Duke, as a series of turnovers and special-teams mistakes set the conditions for the Blue Devils to take a 20-14 lead into the locker room at halftime. After the intermission, the Wolfpack regrouped and pitched a shutout to run away with the 31-20 victory and improve to 4-1 on the season. After sitting as the second-best team among others receiving votes, NC State will be back in the AP Top 25 ahead of Week 8.

The home side prevailed despite losing starting quarterback Devin Leary, who was carted off the field with his leg in an air cast after going 14-of-24 for 194 yards with a touchdown and a pick. Understudy Bailey Hockman threw for 43 yards and a score on 4-of-7 passing in relief. NC State’s defense gave up 276 combined rushing and passing yards to Chase Brice. They also picked off Duke’s quarterback three times.

Freshly ranked, NC State has what has turned into a massive showdown against rival North Carolina in Week 8. If the Wolfpack won that game on the road, they would have a major case to make for moving up the polls after their only loss to date came against Virginia Tech early in the year.