NC State Football: Way-too-early 2022 game-by-game predictions

Oct 30, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren (in black) leads his team onto the field prior to a game against the Louisville Cardinals at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren (in black) leads his team onto the field prior to a game against the Louisville Cardinals at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Nov 20, 2021; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Donovan Smith (7) hands the ball to running back Tahj Brooks (28) against the Oklahoma State Cowboysin the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Donovan Smith (7) hands the ball to running back Tahj Brooks (28) against the Oklahoma State Cowboysin the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

1. at East Carolina (W)

East Carolina has what it takes to make this more interesting than some might think. They are at home, a “rival” of the Wolfpack, and are no strangers to giving Power Five foes a run for their money.

However, this matchup will most likely come down to physicality, and that is a battle that NC State is almost guaranteed to win. But nonetheless, we’ve seen the Pack struggled early in the season before, so expect a closer final score than whichever one you’re currently imagining.

2. vs. Charleston Southern (W)

On every college football schedule nowadays, there are always those games that no one even bothers analyzing because the mismatch is so apparent that the chances of an upset are next to astronomical. Simply put, this is one of those games.

3. vs. Texas Tech (W)

Now, this is a solid out-of-conference matchup, as whoever wins it will have something to truly be proud of and reference as proof of formidability. And the team that will be doing just that after this one will most likely be NC State.

The Red Raiders are not a weak opponent by any stretch of the imagination, but they are not as good as the Wolfpack. They will also be heading to Carter-Finley Stadium for this battle to unfold, so that doesn’t make their chances of survival much better.