Locked On ACC - Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast - NC State Wolfpack set for REBOUND Season? | Can Dave Doeren Reach 10+ Wins?

Episode Date: June 27, 2025

NC STATE WOLFPACK football's 2025 season preview: Can C.J. Bailey lead a top-five ACC offense? Is an 8-win season on the horizon?Former NC State defensive tackle Kenton Gibbs breaks down the WOLFPACK's offensive firepower, highlighting QB C.J. Bailey's development and dynamic RB Hollywood Smothers. The discussion covers defensive challenges under new coordinator D.J. Elliott, potential breakout stars like Brian Nelson, and a favorable yet tricky schedule. Gibbs offers insider perspectives on the team's ceiling, floor, and realistic expectations for 2025.Don't miss this in-depth analysis of NC STATE's path to success in the ACC. Will the WOLFPACK's offense shine while the defense adapts? Tune in for expert predictions and key matchups that could shape their season. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!RugietRugiet Ready is a next-gen prescription treatment designed to amplify arousal in the brain and boost blood flow. Head to Rugiet.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE to get 15% off today. GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE at www.monarchmoney.com/lockedoncollege for 50% off your first year. FanDuelRight now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

NC State was a preseason top 25 team a year ago, but they disappointed. They finished the year's six and seven. Can NC State bounce back? You are Locked on ACC, your daily podcast on the Atlantic Coast Conference. Part of the Locked on podcast network, your team every day. Hello, everyone, and welcome in a Locked on ACC. I'm Jackson Holes, or the host of Locked on Syracuse, filling in for Alex. who is still on vacation in Europe.

And of course on Lockdown ACC, we're always joined by Kenton Gives, the host of Lockdown Wolfpack and former NC State defensive tackle. And guess what, Kenton? We're talking about your NC State Wolfpack today in this season preview edition of Locked on ACC, a season prediction. Overall, we'll come up later on in the show talking about NC State. A perhaps win-loss prediction. Can they be in the top 25 at some point?

during the year. We'll certainly get Kenton's thoughts on that. We'll discuss the defense with the new defensive coordinator and the offense led by true sophomore C.J. Bailey. All that and more here on today's edition of Locked-on ACC. Now, before we get to everything, today's episode is brought to you by Game Time. Download the GameTime app, create an account and use code locked on college for 20 hours off your first purchase. So Kenton, you're an NC State expert. So I'll turn it over to you in just a second because I'm going to be the one who's asking you the questions and you are going to provide us with the answers. Very similar to what we did a couple of days ago with Syracuse, how I turned it over to you and you asked me all the questions, right? Let's start with this offense.

And last year it was kind of an unfortunate situation. They bring in Grayson McCall from the transit portal, high expectations for him, was kind of up and down before suffering a really bad. season ending injury. We wish him nothing but the best. In comes C.J. Bailey as a true freshman. And C.J. Bailey did not disappoint as a true freshman so much so that a lot of people thought he might leave in the transfer portal. But lo and behold, NC State keeps their golden goose. So Kenton, let's start off with C.J. Bailey. What are your expectations for him in year two? I expect him to take it next step. I really do. I expect a game to slow down for him a little bit. people don't realize this was a young man who the biggest critique of him was he held on to the ball too long but i like

that i like a quarterback that's going to hang on to it a little bit too long especially when you're a young guy because that means that you're processing is happening in the right way you're going from re1 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 okay what do we have nothing's open all right something's going to pop open as opposed to it got it's like re 1's not there all right time to tuck it and put time to tuck it and take it and take it off, that's a dangerous situation for a quarterback to be in, regardless of how big in stature you are. C.J. Bailey's a very tall guy. He's not a very big guy in terms of muscle mass. He's not a very heavy guy at all. So, you know, that type of situation is always going to put you in a

dangerous face. But you look at a guy that showed the ability to read defenses and make his reads at a high level in year one. Now going into year two, we're expecting that step. And a lot of people say, well, Ken, his best receiver in case he's gone, how do you kind of make that up? You have one of the best tight ends in the nation and Justin Jolie coming back. You have Noah Rogers who he just shows those moments where you're like, this kid's got star written all over him. Keenan Jackson, a guy that I, when that recruit class came out, everybody was saying, oh, he's pretty good. And I said, no, that's the best pure receiver in his class. And he showed it in his true freshman year.

You've got Jonathan Paler, a gadget guy who can do a little bit of everything. So you've got a very good group of guys coming back around them. And I tell people all the time, quarterback is not only the most important position in football, but it's also the most dependent. You're dependent on a lot of people around you getting it right. And I really and truly believe that those guys will get it right. Because again, Justin Jolie, one of the nation's best kept secrets, in my opinion. And when you have a safety blanket like him, C.J. Bailey will be just fine.

So I think he's set to take that next step. He looks physically bigger. Before last year, I mean, he looked like if he lost any more weight, he might slip through a crack in the floor when he turns sideways. This year, he looks the part of a football player and the quarterback. So I'm very excited to see what he's going to bring. I guess that leads me to my next question here, because I was originally going to ask you about Casey Concepcion

and how NC State is going to replace him. But you kind of just told us all how they're going to replace him, kind of by committee a little bit, What do you think, though, is the biggest strength of the offense? Is it all the past catchers that they do have? Here's the thing. The past catchers are a-term. I'm not sure if they're the biggest strength.

Because there's this hail cat in the backfield named Hollywood Smothers. And I'm going to tell you something. NC State is known as a hand in the dirt ag school. We're known as blue-collar folks and all that good stuff. It means something that a guy with the nickname of Hollywood is loved and revered here. Because he's got a lot of wiggle. He's got a lot of get up and go to him. And, you know, you combine that with that toughness, he's something special.

There are lots of part of this offense that I would say, lots of parts of this offense that I would say they're going to be very good next year. I think the receivers have a narrow edge because of the debt. You look at a guy like a Wesley Grimes, fantastic last year. And he showed those same kind of flashes that you saw from Noah Rogers. you talk about so many guys that are, Terrell Anderson is another guy that people are expecting big things from going forward this year. You talk about guys that, you know, this wide receiving court and tight end, really the past captains in general, are going to be a group that I think will be underrated nationally coming in.

But I think walking out of the season, people will understand that this passing game is formidable and not just because CJ Bailey is phenomenal, which he is. So we've pretty much touched on every position group, except for one, which is the offensive line. How's the offensive line looking this upcoming season for NC State? The offensive line is actually looking surprisingly good. You lose a tackle like big Cadillac Belt, and people say, oh, man, that's got to be tough to replace me the left side. Jacarius Peak might have been NC State's best offensive line last year. I'm a guy that I look at the All-22 and I look at each position. And I'm going to tell you, there were so many times last year where I said,

I'm not sure why Peak is not already your starting left out. And that's with all due respect to Belton, who was a guy, went on to get drafted by the Packers of all teams. I mean, all my most hated teams are drafting all my favorite players. You know, Donovanese Rock was a cowboy. I'm just throwing up and crying all over myself. But doesn't even hear about it. The reality is,

Jacarius Pete, very, very solid young man, phenomenal athlete. I'm going to tell you, he's a football player. He is a guy that I would not be shocked to see that he's a definitive riser coming out of this year. Teague Anderson on the other side, transfer from Utah State.

I like him. I like him a lot. I think a lot about him. The interior of the offensive line as well has a lot of talent, a lot of depth. Spike Sol is being a guy. He's looking like he's going to be the backup at the center position. But I'm going to tell you, he's going to push with everything he's got to get into this rotationarily.

And everything that I've heard coming out of spring ball and all that, the reports are amazing on him. So I'm sitting here saying I really don't see a group in this offense that I would say, oh boy, we're going to need some guys to really show up in a way that I would be shocked or not expecting in order for them to be. a really solid offensive unit next year at minimum. Well, with that being said, Kenton, I'll put you on the spot. Yes or no question. Is this a top five offense in the ACC? Oh, this is nasty.

This is nasty. I'm going to say yes, but here's the caveat. Here's the caveat. There is a world where they're outside of that, but just outside of it. Like, can they be a top-five offense? Absolutely. Well, do I believe they'll be a top-five offense? I do.

There is a world where they end up seventh, eight. That is a world that's possible. Now, below that, something has gone wrong. Something has going very seriously wrong because you're looking at a situation where you have talent in depth everywhere. If CJ Bailey stays healthy, I really don't see where you're looking at a significant drop-off

and our tackles, of course, too. I think that those are two positions. where we don't have a ton of quality depth at the moment. But you keep your tackles healthy, you keep your quarterback healthy, even in the backfield. People talked about Duke Scott, a red shirt freshman is going to be playing this year. Everybody told me, everybody in the program told me he's not the third best running back. There were three running backs that played a lot last year. Hollywood Smothers that I've already talked about, Jordan Waters, who's going to start his NFL career,

and Kendraffiel, who stayed in conference and will now be a cow bear. But, you know, those were the three that were playing. And I was told he was not the worst of that bunch. Like if we're going who we think is the best pure ball carrier right now, I was told that he was not the third best of that group if he was to be slotted in there. So that means he definitely wasn't fourth. Well, ladies and gentlemen, we're going to get a lot of Duke Scott this year in terms of being the relief back to Hollywood smothers. So seeing this group as a top five group with a backfield, that's dynamic,

an offensive line that can get it done. Coach Tujay, to me, one of the more underrated assistant coaches in America, because I think he does a hell of a job with our offensive line. I mean, there were plays where our offensive line looked like a crescent moon, just kind of rolling guys up to whichever side they were running it. They're outside zone schemes. But I look at this squad and I say, offensively, this team could be a juggernaut, but could at minimum be good.

That's a pretty good floor ceiling combination for the NC state offense. And any last thoughts on it? Or would you like to move on to the defense? I'm going to tell you, there is a ton of proven talent, a ton of guys that we've seen already do this at a high level. I wish we could talk about this office for the full episode. This defense is, you know, I won't be able to speak so excited. You know, a little bit more problem, a little bit more problem.

4538 games, it looks like, are coming up for Rensey State next year. And we'll talk all about the defense coming up next here on Locked on ACC. Have you ever decided at the last minute to head to a ballgame with friends or family? Maybe it's game day and you suddenly realize you want to be in the stands. That's certainly happened with me, especially being in New York with the Mets in town. They're good most of the time except for this recent stretch. And sometimes I just want to go to a game with my friends and family. And that's exactly where game time comes in.

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This is locked on ACCC. I'm Jackson-Holeser, the host of Locked-on Syracuse. We're always joined by Kenton Gibbs, co-host of the Locked-on NC State Wolfpack podcast and former NC State defensive tackle. And we're talking all about NC state here on this edition of Locked-on ACC season previews for the 2025 college football season. We just went over the offense, which according to Kenton could be a top five offense in the ACC, worst case, slightly above average. That was his floor ceiling combination for the Wolfpack. upcoming season led by CJ Bailey, but the defense. See, there's another side of the ball here.

You play offense and you also play defense and there's also special teams too. But on defense, NC State last year was, how should I put this? Not good. Statistically, allowed over 30 points per game. That was third worst in the conference. Bottom five, in yards allowed per game. No wonder why NC State finished under 500. They couldn't get a stop last season.

So, Kenton, they have a new defensive coordinator. And for what it's worth, their previous defensive coordinator, which was Tony Gibson. He was not fired. He is now the head coach over at Marshall. But they do have a new defensive coordinator in DJ Elliott from Baylor. How do you think he can improve the defense for this upcoming season? That's a great question. I would love to have a definitive answer for you.

Would you like to go back to talking about the offense? I would. I would very much. If you want to talk special teams, we have some great kickers. You know, our punners called Boon Kester. We could talk about a lot of things, you know. But how can DJ Elliott improve this defense? I very seriously don't know. And I honestly don't expect the defense to be improved much from last year. I would hope so. I would hope against hope that it is. But in reality, last year's defense, we all know how good of a defensive coordinator, Tony Gibson is. There's a reason that he got that head coaching job at Marshall. With that being said, even going into last year, there were moments or, you know,

I watched the spring game last year and I said, hey, this defense will be fine if they do not have pivotal injuries at the linebacker spot. And then what happened? They got injured at the linebacker spot very early. I knew that the depth at linebacker was subpar to say the least. And so you fast forward to this year and you say, well, what's the outlook for this defense? And I'd say the same thing, except a little bit worse because I have the concerns about linebacker death that still remain. And then on top of that, I'm worried about your edge rushers. I really and truly am. For reference, NC State added three edge rushers in the spring port.

So it's not just me. This isn't just Kenton saying I'm concerned about it. The coaching staff by their actions show they're concerned about it as well with the loss of an absolute menace like Daven Van. The guy that was one of the top sack guys in the ACC, led the ACC in forced fumbles, I believe last year as well, said an NC State record there. That is tough because he was a guy that even in the three-man front, off the edge, he was a menace. He gave teams the fits. And so you lose him, you lose Red Hibler, who, you know, transferred or decided to sit out.

in the middle of the season of transfer, who was one of our leading pass rushers from two years ago. And I hope that they did an adequate job of replacing them. I mean, to be honest, I didn't expect Red Hitler to have the impact that he did two years ago. So I hope that the transfers pop in a way that I'm not expecting. It's just a very tall task with a bunch of players that, with all due respect,

the only one that has shown a lot in terms of actual production is the defensive end slash edge rush transfer from Texas Tech, and that's it. So, you know, when you ask, how can Elliot make this group better, Prick, get yourself a rosary, do a lot of Hail Mary's, all that good stuff, you know, whatever deity you worship, send up something for that. But in all seriousness, it's very much so a situation where I don't think the personnel has gotten better from last year. potentially if you get buy-in early to your new system,

it could be better just from a simple standpoint of even though the lineback position didn't get a ton deeper, they did get deeper than they were last year. And I think with more quality guys, the defensive line, you know, I've talked about the edge rest troubles, but Brandon Cleveland, still phenomenal, still one of the best defensive tackles

that I've seen in quite some time at NC State. And, you know, the secondary field, with transfers, but some promising transfers. So hopefully the Jimy's and Joe's can get it done because I'm not sure that Elliott is the type of mind that elevates players right away. So on a more positive note, though, is there anyone or any couple of players

that you look out and say, they're a breakout candidate? This player could have a massive step forward in development. Who is that on NC State's defense? Oh, there are, I mean, that I talk about, see, when people hear me talk about NC State. He's a defense. I'm a defensive guy.

So people think that I'm trash doing all that. No, no, no, no. They have plenty of guys who can get it done. I mean, Sean Brown's one of the best linebackers in the ACC, a safety convert who he has the brains that shows you. Oh, that's why he was the safety and all that good stuff. You also have some young guys that are coming along that could be playing a lot more this year. I've talked about Brandon Cleveland already in all he is.

I've talked about Kay Fordham. And the fact that before his injury, he was an absolute stalwart in this defense. But I'm going to tell you, some of the. transfers I alluded to earlier. A Brian Nelson. This young man, that is a name to be on the lookout for it because Brian Nelson II from North Texas. Six foot corner. He can run a little bit. He's got some loose hips, but you know what I like about the most? He takes that ball away. When it's in the air, when it's in the air, it's his. He is, you know, he's coming in with some absolute ball hawk and ability at North Texas. I believe it was three past or four.

three interceptions and four passes to defend it last year as a red shirt freshman, I think he's going to be big time. I really think that he's ready to kind of step up and compete at a high level. I think that's a name to look out for. I mean, if you don't already know who Brandon Cleveland is, you'll probably learn who he is by the end of the season. Sean Brown's already earned all conference accolades, so it's not really fair to label him as a breakout player per se.

He was also on the, I believe it was the veterinarian watch list last year. So again, it's not fair to label him as a breakout. but if you don't know who Brandon Cleveland is, as a former defensive target myself, this film gets me a little excited. It gets me a little riled up. I start foaming after the bottom a little bit thicker. We live in some of my old days watching the play.

And I'm not going to say I was the defensive tackle. He was at the college level. That'd be a lot to have. But the young man is phenomenal. All right, Kenton. Any last thoughts on the defense? I think that the goal, like you said, going in the break. We're going to see some old school Big 12.

We're going to see some. 48 to 45, we're going to see some 52 to, you know, 49s. We're going to see that. And that's fine. The goal of the game is to have one more point to your opponent. And I think if this defense can just be opportunistic enough, just create turnovers, just create enough turnover, just in the right moments, make those things happen. I think that there'll be, that's my hope for this defense.

That's my life. That's the ceiling. Just an opportunistic unit that, yes, they have their deficiencies in certain areas, but they're opportunistic enough to make things really tough on offense because it's like, damn, just those two interceptions and all of a sudden their offense was off and running and we never really recovered. And to further that point, you can allow all the yards you want. You can allow a team to go 98 yards down the field. But if you can hold them to a field goal, that offense that you're describing,

that might just be enough with C.J. Bailey in company. We've talked about the defense of NC State with Kent and Gibbs. We've also talked about the offense coming up a season prediction for the NC State Wolfpack in 2025. Don't go anywhere. This is locked on ACC. I'm Jackson Holzer. We're joined, as always, by Kent and Gibbs. And, hey, since you've made it this far in the podcast, if you can just do us all favor, hit that like button, hit that subscribe button.

helps Locked-on ACC grow to reach all ACC fans. And also, you can check us out in our own personal locked-on channels, right? Jackson-Holzer, Locked-on Syracuse, you might be able to see in the background. Kenton Gibbs, co-host of Locked-on Wolfpack with Grayson Boone. All right, Kenton. Instead of asking you just a traditional, what's your record prediction? What's your pie-in-the-stice ceiling for NC State this upcoming year? Man, I'm going to tell you, this schedule, it's not.

Not one that I look at and I say, oh, man, this is a murderous role. This is a world beater type deal. And NC State only has a hope of getting there if they're, you know, having a great season. If they're absolutely everything goes right. But pie in the sky, best case scenario, I think that you're looking at a 10-win team. I think you're looking at Doran's first 10-win season. I know a lot of people are going, you know, call me everything but a child of God for that. But I say that only because we saw Wake Forest pull off.

that like we just got to score more than everybody gambit a few years ago. We saw it. We saw it in real time. We saw that it can get you nine to ten wins against the favorable schedule, which is what NC State has here. And, you know, with that being said, that's going to require a lot of us having the ball last. That's going to require a lot of, you know, hey, we don't need you to be great all game.

Just come up with a pick at the end of the court court court. Just come up with that one big moment, but I think this could be. be Dave Doran's first 10 wins. You cited Wake Forest. How about Syracuse? They do not. They just outscore it. They said, we're going to outscore it.

You don't care. We'll beat you 41, 38. It's going to be hard to win 20 to 17, but we'll beat you 41 to 38, not to make everything about Syracuse. But that's the ceiling for NC State. That's your pie in the sky. So I'm not going to hold you to a 10 win season for saying that

because you're not predicting that. Absolutely. Just like you're also not predicting what I'm out. about to ask you here, which is, what's the floor for this team this upcoming year? Maybe things just don't break their way. What's the floor? Well, non-NC state fans who hear this, I know you'll be a little shock. But any NC state, any member of Wolfpack Nation's listening has heard me say this

at Nazium all offseason. I'm going to say it here today. This team will either win five or less or eight or more. This would not be a six or seven win team. This is, I can feel it based on how the schedule is lined up and the law to wolf when you expect the most, you get the least. When you expect the least, you get the most. And everybody is just about good and tired and fed up with Dave Doran in terms of folks saying

that, oh, he just hasn't been good enough, hasn't had that peak season yet. I just think he's been a model of consistency that hasn't reached that highest level yet. But, you know, it is what it is. In terms of floor, this team could win five games, five. And I say five, I know a lot of people are going to say, Ken, 10 and five, are you grades? Like, that's such a wide range. the way that this schedule is set up, Jackson, I'm telling you right now, if they get off to a slow start, let me tell you who the first few games of this season are. I know that they open with ECU, right? When you open with ECU, you're already saying, hey, you know, this shouldn't be the tallest task in the world. This is an in-state group of five opponent. Like, I shouldn't have a problem here. The problem is they lost that team in a bowl game. So you go from East Carolina to UVPA Wake Forest.

That's your first three games. There's a world where you come out of those three and oh. I think you should. I think you should come out of those three and those. There's also a world where you come out of those games, one and two or over. That's possible. Because again, I would hope not.

I would hope I'm wrong. I would hope there is not a world where you lose those. game. But it's possible. And so if you run into that type of deal there, I mean, you can pretty much guarantee that you're going to be Campbell. Beating a dirty foot club, also known as the University of North Carolina, has been a tradition at NC State for so long. I got 10 nieces and nephews, and half of them don't know a world where UNC beats NC State at football. That's an actual fact, by the way, folks. So, you know, this is this is a situation where, again, I'm not expecting them to do this, but if things shake out poorly, you know, you start off slow, you stumble

out the gates, it doesn't get easier because then after that Wake Forest game, you're going to do it. It doesn't get easier. You got Virginia Tech coming in after that. And then you get Campbell, which, with all due respect, FCS team, you have some decided advantages there. And then after that, you got Notre Dame, okay? You know, it's the final stretch of the schedule, pit, Georgia.

Georgia Tech, Miami, Florida State, UNC. All of those teams are completely up in the air to me, except Georgia Tech. I think Georgia Tech is the only one where we have a definitive. I know what you are. Miami, for all the talent that they have, we've seen Crystal Ball, Crystal Ball at up. And we're betting on Carson Beck being really good throwing to receivers that if you are listening to this podcast right now, you threw as many passes to Miami receivers during spring ball as Carson Beck did. Congratulations to you.

So it's a very kind of intriguing situation here. I think that the start defines this one. I think it's all about to start here. You get off to a hot start. You get off to that three and all, you could be in for a special season. If you drop multiple of those first three, you could be off to that five.

All right, Kenton, you gave me your ceiling. You gave me your doomsday. What's your prediction? I'm going to use the Jackson-Hosier method here. You know, you say you add up the ceiling and the floor, you're divided by two, and that's what you do. The ceiling being 10, the floor being five, you add them up, you divide it by two, you get seven and a half. I think that that's a good spot for NC State to be at. I really, like I said, I see this as a five or less, eight or more year.

I think NC State gets exactly eight wins. Seven and a half, we're going to round it up to eight. I think eight and four is where this team accidents up on. Look at that. I taught you something. Isn't it a good method? It's a good method. Think of your dream scenario.

Then think of your worst case. Divided. That's probably where they're going to end up. So Kenton is going to round up from seven and a half and say eight and four. I can get behind that. I can go eight and four with NC State looking at their schedule. I think it's deceptively hard because you don't, aside from Campbell, there's really no true leg.

up on the schedule. They don't have multiple layups. They got one layup, one where you can, by the third quarter, your third teamers are going to be in. Everyone else, I mean, everyone else is technically loseable. I'm not saying they're going to go one in 11, but I'm just saying, you know, if you're not careful against ECU, you could lose that game in week one. If you're not careful, but you should, you should be it. And you could be Virginia at home. But if you're not careful, they are an ACC team. And then look at the flip side of it. How many games do you look at here where you're like, oh, the NC State Wolfpack don't really stand the chance? I think Notre Dame. I say, yeah, I say going to South

B and you're like, hey, y'all ain't really pulling one over on touchdown. Jesus. That's just not happening. That's how I am with Syracuse. I'm like, you're not going to Notre Dame and winning. That's just not happening. So that's one game that you look at and you say, hey, you're not equipped for that one. But all the rest of these games, I mean, who's their next toughest game after Notre Dame? decidedly that's Georgia Tech. After Georgia Tech, who's your next topic? Miami? I was going to maybe say Miami just because you're on the road anyway.

Okay. Because you're on the road and if you're in the sun, it ain't fun. You know how Miami configures their stadium? How? They configure it so that the road team has the sun. Oh, it gets the sun in the second half. Oh, all game? I think all game.

Oh, that's tough. That's terrible. Yikes. Yikes. Now, they do it for the dolphins, but I'm pretty sure the way it works. I think they also do it for the hurricanes. Well, listen, I'm, again, I'm not saying that this team is going 11 and 1, and everybody gets your ACC championship, get ready.

Because I said that last year, and I looked like a fool in a half saying, hey, if Bracian McCall comes to this team, you know, go ahead and book your tickets to Charlotte now. And the only reason any NC State family was in Charlotte was to watch us get mopped by Tennessee. So with all due respect to the opponents on the schedule, I see one game where you're like, if you win that,

or if you're going into that game, you'll be a double-digit dog. I have no doubt you're a double-digit dog going to Notre Dame. All these other games, I mean, you know, it's, I'm not saying you win them all, but I'm saying you have the opportunity to

be in each and every one of these games. The schedule works out favorably. The law of the wolf, for those of you don't know that i already talked about it but when you expect the least you get the most all that type of stuff out of i see state all of those things work out and this is what year number for dave doris lucky number 13 this just feels like one of those years where it's some witchy stuff going on and and and you know cj bailey's going to be saying some expect pro patrolling with that ball i'm going to change i'm not going to change my prediction but i'm going to change my range they're either going

undefeated or they're losing all every game but one we got lucky number 13 here i mean listen i'll tell you you're going 12 and no or one and 11 you'll beat campbell no matter what i'll tell you this this is this is a very strange year and again there's so many moving part because the offense feels the office truly does feel even better than last year because last year there were a lot of stars there were a lot of big names there was a lot of splash coming in there wasn't a lot of continuity coming back. You look at the guy who was supposed to be running back one next year. Duke transfer, quarterback last year, Coastal Carolina transfer, Robert receiver number one last year, or the guy who was expected to be that, Ohio State transfer. So you got all these transfers

in these pivotal positions as opposed to this year. If you look at all the guys who are in those slots, played at NC State last year in terms of CJ Bailey, played at NC State last year in terms of Hollywood Smuggish. Played at an NC State last year in terms of, you picked the guy. If you think it's Noah Rogers, he played at NC State last year. If you think it's going to be Wesley Graf, he played at NC State last year. If you think it's going to be Kenan Jackson, Terrell Anderson, John the Pave, one of the other freshmen, he played, all those guys played in the NC State last year. Justin Jolie transferred to play at NC State last year.

So there's a lot more continuity with this offense than what you saw last year, which is what gives me that itch, that this offense is going to be really good. All right, fair enough. I'm Jackson Holzer, host of Locked on Syracuse. That's Kenton Gibbs, host of Lockdown Wolfpack and former NC State defensive tackle. And hey, you've already made it this far in the podcast. So we thank you all so much for watching. We thank you all so much for listening.

If you like this podcast, be sure to hit that like button. If you really enjoy the podcast, be sure to hit subscribe. Tell all your friends about Locked on ACC. And leave a comment in the comment section below. Tell us why NC State is going to go undefeated. And opposite, tell us why NC State. State will win all but one game. We would love to hear from you in the comments section below while they're either going

to have the most magical season ever or this is going to be Florida State 2.0 from a year ago. We'd love to hear from you in the comments section below. We'll be back next week with more Locked-on ACC.