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

By Austin Lloyd

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 /
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Nov 13, 2021; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons wide receiver A.T. Perry (9) makes a touchdown reception against North Carolina State Wolfpack safety Tanner Ingle (10) during the first half at Truist Field. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons wide receiver A.T. Perry (9) makes a touchdown reception against North Carolina State Wolfpack safety Tanner Ingle (10) during the first half at Truist Field. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-USA TODAY Sports /

7. at Syracuse (W)

I am not a mathematician, but I remember a good deal regarding the concept of probability. For those who do not, I will provide an example: NC State has met with Syracuse 15 times, and the latter has only prevailed twice. The last time they did so was over three years ago.

With all of that said, there is a low probability that the Orange will beat the Wolfpack in 2022, and that is convincing enough for me to agree.

8. vs. Virginia Tech (W)

Virginia Tech is one of a few ACC powers who are at risk of seeing a tumble in performance next season, as the Hokies now have a new HC following a run that already saw them struggle to hit bowl eligibility.

While Virginia Tech has won the last five meetings with the Wolfpack, said meetings were noticeably spaced apart (only one of them has taken place in the last five years). The game will also have the Pack at home and coming off a bye week. A blowout, while unlikely, would not be a surprising result here.

9. vs. Wake Forest (W)

This will most likely be NC State’s biggest win of the regular-season stretch, as one of their most hated rivals will be coming to their neck of the woods to face off.

Wake was a tremendous team in 2021, headlined by an outstanding head coach-quarterback duo consisting of Dave Clawson and Sam Hartman. But even with that might hosting the Wolfpack last year, the game saw a narrow 45-42 escape for the Demon Deacons.

The 2022 installment of the rivalry will be in Raleigh, where the Deacs have prevailed only twice since 1984. That stat is a tad too troubling to ignore.

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