2025 NC State Wolfpack Football Predictions
By Don Corleone Jones (@cjoneswho1212 on twitter)
The NC State Wolfpack were mediocre to say the least in 2024. In 2025, Dave Doeren has slight optimism that this team can compete for a spot in the ACC title game. I see a lot of question marks however for this Wolfpack squad that need to be answered sooner rather than later. With that being said here is my prediction for the 2025 NC State Wolfpack football team.
Offense
CJ Bailey looked alright in his true freshman season. He threw for 2,413 passing yards to go along with 19 total touchdowns. Bailey gets a new offensive coordinator that is going to try and take Bailey’s game to the next level. The receiving core is returning six of their top seven receiving leaders from a season ago, and adding Justin Joly could just be the icing on the cake. In the running game, Hollywood Smothers is poised for a breakout year in my opinion. They should have a balanced rushing attack, but Smothers is the guy that is going to breakout. One concern for the Wolfpack offensively is their offensive line which struggled to protect Bailey last year. They have some big boys up front, but if they can’t protect the quarterback they are going to be in a hurting of trouble.
Defense
The Wolfpack defense has been the backbone of this program for as long as I can remember. Last year however, they ranked in the bottom half of the conference in total yardage and points allowed. They bring in new defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot who will command a faster more aggressive defensive identity. They retain seven starters including big contributors like Sean Brown (leading tackler), Brandon Cisse and many more. This defense can become a middle of the pack defense in the ACC. However, they are going to need to be on top of their game if they want to compete in the ACC.
Schedule
Vs East Carolina (Win)
Vs Virginia (Loss)
At Wake Forest (Win)
At Duke (Loss)
Vs Virginia Tech (Loss)
Vs Campbell (Win)
At Notre Dame (Loss)
At Pittsburgh (Loss)
Vs Georgia Tech (Win)
At Miami (Loss)
Vs Florida State (Loss)
Vs UNC (Loss)
(5-7)
Their win total is set at 6.5 with the over set at (+106) and the under is set at (-130). The x-factors for this team are the development of CJ Bailey and the offensive line. Also if this team can stay healthy, they can compete. However, I see some struggles coming from the sophomore quarterback and the offense won’t be gelling the way Doeren and company would like. I think they miss a bowl game this season and re-tool and can compete in 2026.
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