Backing The Pack
Cheering for anyone else is for quitters.
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Cal vs. NC State injury report: Wolfpack gets Kamen Smith back
The NC State Wolfpack see a small boost in their bleak injury slate as offensive guard Kamen Smith returns, while Duke Scott, JoJo Trader and Tristan Teasdell stay sidelined. Cal, however, is heavily depleted, missing its top three running backs, its second‑leading receiver and two starting O‑line studs, forcing the Bears to shift defensive players to offense. Both teams list several key players as questionable, including AJ Tuitele, Ian Strong and others, making the upcoming matchup a test of depth for the Wolfpack and a disaster for the Golden Bears.
Let’s talk about the pros and cons of hiring Philip Rivers
Backed by fan enthusiasm but lacking college coaching chops, former NC State quarterback Philip Rivers is being floated as a possible Wolfpack head coach. The author weighs Rivers' celebrity draw and potential fundraising boost against his zero recruiting experience, lack of college‑football connections, and the risk of hiring an NFL rookie in a complex college landscape. While a Rivers hire could keep star recruit Gunner Rivers and free salary caps for staff, the piece argues the gamble may not deliver a top‑40 program and could backfire if he cannot assemble a seasoned coaching team.
Dave Doeren: ‘I leave here with no grudges’
In his final press conference, NC State head coach Dave Doeren thanks the Wolfpack community, reflects on his tenure, and says he departs with no grudges. Doeren praises the university, the state’s culture, and his family’s ties to the school, while acknowledging the missed chance to win a championship. He looks forward to personal time—travel, golf, fishing—and promises to continue cheering for NC State under new leadership.
Exhibitions – Lessons Learned – The Rotation
Ken Pomeroy’s latest newsletter argues that college basketball exhibitions are far from meaningless, citing detailed analysis of NC State’s two preseason games versus Mississippi State and Division II Lenoir‑Rhyne. Coach Kevin Gainey consistently ran a ten‑player rotation in the first ten minutes of each half, with smart sub choices that yielded rebounds, steals and scoring—especially from Paul McNeil Jr. and Lubin. The piece highlights how borderline players like Jurkovic, Keene and Wilkins earn specific roles, suggesting the rotation could shape early‑season lineups despite typical depth cuts in conference play.
NC State an 8.5-point favorite against Cal
NC State enters Saturday's matchup as an 8.5‑point favorite over Cal despite a chaotic offseason. The Wolfpack are adjusting after firing head coach Dave Doeren and defensive coordinator DJ Elliot, while interim coach Todd Goebbel wrestles with lineup tweaks. Cal, meanwhile, has stripped its new offensive coordinator of play‑calling duties and mishandled quarterback Jaron‑Keawe Sagapolutele, prompting criticism of the Bears' staff. The article argues the huge spread reflects Cal’s disarray more than NC State’s strength.
NC State fires Dave Doeren
NC State fires head football coach Dave Doeren effective immediately after a loss to Stanford, announcing the move on October 10, 2026. Athletic director Boo Corrigan praised Doeren’s 14‑year tenure before naming running backs coach Todd Goebbel as interim head coach. A national search for a permanent replacement begins, aiming to give the Wolfpack time to rebuild. The abrupt mid‑season termination has shocked fans, raising questions about external pressure on the program.
Exhibition #3: NC State 130 – Lenoir-Rhyne 66
NC State decimates Division II Lenoir‑Rhyne 130‑66 in an Oct. 24 exhibition, exposing a stark talent gap. The Wolfpack dominate the boards 42‑32 but lose the offensive rebounding battle 11‑18. Point guards Adams and Edmead orchestrate the offense with 17 combined assists on just eight shot attempts, while the team racks up 29 assists on 41 makes. McNeil erupts for a game‑high 23 points, hitting 7‑13 (53.8%) from three, and Jurkovic posts perfect shooting (1‑1 from three, 5‑6 free throws) with three blocks. Wilkins adds 14 points in 12 minutes, and Lubin leads rebounding (9) and blocks (4). Lenoir‑Rhyne struggles, shooting 9.1% from three and 47.6% from the line.
NC State cannot locate victory forest for the sadness trees
Stanford upended NC State on Oct. 23, 2026, in Palo Alto, delivering a dominant performance as the Wolfpack never led and were held to under seven points—a streak they’ve maintained in four straight games. The Wolfpack’s offensive line faltered, leaving CJ Bailey scrambling on every snap, while the defense offered no pass rush and couldn’t stop the run. Stanford exploited these weaknesses, showcasing a potent offense against a porous Wolfpack defense. The post‑game reaction calls for a coaching overhaul to address the systemic failures on both sides of the ball.
Exhibition #3: NC State Welcomes Lenoir-Rhyne to Lenovo
NC State wraps up its 2026‑27 exhibition slate on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the free‑admission Lenovo arena against the Lenoir‑Rhyne Bears (26‑9, D‑II Southeast Region finalists). Coach Gainey expects a dominant Wolfpack win, but stresses improved center play, rebounding and smarter ball‑handling after a sloppy showing versus Mississippi State. Key talking points include Darius Adams’ shot selection (12 attempts, 33% from three), Preston Edmead’s lack of assists, and a push to give more minutes to Yalaho and Zymicah. No TV or radio coverage is available, so fans should attend in person.
Game thread: NC State vs. Stanford
The latest game thread previews NC State's night‑time clash with Stanford at 10:30 p.m. ET, broadcast on ESPN with Anish Shroff, Andre Ware and Morgan Uber calling the action. Fans wonder if the Wolfpack can generate enough "electricity" to stay awake into the wee hours—or if the team is merely "mostly dead" this season. The post includes a striking Getty photo of junior running back CJ Bailey in action and provides streaming details via WatchESPN.
Stanford’s football pains are myriad
Stanford football continues to struggle in the NIL era, still missing a bowl since 2018 and lacking a winning record since a 4‑2 season in 2020. High admission standards and limited spending leave the Cardinal with a thin roster, reflected in a one‑dimensional offense that averages just 71.5 rushing yards per game and relies on a below‑average quarterback who throws 37 passes but ranks near the bottom of the ACC in touchdowns and efficiency. Defensively, they’ve yielded 10 passing and 12 rushing touchdowns in four conference games, with only four sacks total. Despite three home wins (Hawaii 37‑27, Georgia Tech 34‑27, Elon 34‑7), the team’s overall performance is predictable and disappointing.
Moneyball: Power conference estimated spend
CBS Sports breaks down Power‑5 schools' estimated basketball roster spending for the 2022‑23 season. Tier 1 programs spend $20 M+ (e.g., Duke, UNC, Florida, Kentucky); Tier 2 sits just under $20 M (Indiana, Kansas, UConn); Tier 3 ranges $15.1‑$17.5 M (Miami, Arizona, Gonzaga, Houston); Tier 4 $12.1‑$15 M; Tier 5 $10‑$12 M (NC State, Clemson, Syracuse); Tier 6 $7.1‑$9.9 M; Tier 7 $5‑$7 M. The ACC is ranked by spend, with NC State positioned mid‑pack, mirroring preseason expectations. A hypothetical season based on spend pits the Wolfpack at 20‑11 overall, 11‑7 in the ACC, questioning whether spending alone predicts NCAA tournament success.
NC State vs. Stanford injury report: Duke Scott among many players out
NC State’s injury woes persist ahead of the Stanford matchup, with running back Duke Scott joining the out‑for‑season list and at least two starters on the offensive line still sidelined. Quarterback Yousef Mugharbil also exits the season after his Louisville injury, while Kamen Smith remains questionable. The only bright spot is the return of Jimarion McCrimon, who is no longer on the injury report. Stanford isn’t fully healthy either, missing second‑team All‑ACC linebacker Matt Rose, who last played in late September.
NC State a touchdown favorite at Stanford
NC State heads to Stanford as a seven‑point favorite for their first matchup since the Cardinal joined the ACC. Stanford sits at 3‑4 overall and is rated the worst ACC and power‑conference team by SP+, despite a surprising 34‑27 home win over Georgia Tech. The Wolfpack must avoid a repeat of Stanford’s occasional upset potential as they aim to spark a turnaround on the West Coast. Expect a late‑night showdown that could set the tone for NC State’s season.
Chuck Amato passes away at 80
Chuck Amato, the former NC State Wolfpack head coach who propelled the program into the modern era, dies at 80. The tribute highlights his impact: leading the Wolfpack to a 20-15 upset of Florida State in 2005, guiding the team to a 9‑0 start in 2001, and elevating the program’s profile with star quarterback Philip Rivers. Amato’s legacy includes stadium upgrades, a revived campus atmosphere, and a stronger recruiting foundation that still benefits the team. While his tenure ended amid frustrations, his contributions to NC State football endure as the cornerstone of the program’s recent success.
Exhibition #2: NC State 77 – Mississippi State 73
NC State rallies past Mississippi State 77‑73 in an exhibition on Oct. 19, 2026. Down 65‑71 with 2:50 left, the Wolfpack caps a 12‑2 run, limiting MSU to just two free throws late. Without leading scorer Josh Hubbard, Mississippi State dominated the paint (36 vs. 18) and rebounded better (39‑30), but NC State’s defense steadies. Standout performances include Preston Edmead’s efficient 16 points, Darius Adams’ 14‑point, 6‑rebound, 5‑assist line, and RJ Keene’s clutch free‑throw. The team commits only five turnovers, though Kyle Evans struggles with fouls. Two weeks remain before the season kicks off.
Exhibition #2: Mississippi State – This Game Matters
When: Sunday October 18 – 4:00 PM Where: First Horizon Coliseum, Greensboro NC (tickets still available) TV / Streaming: Not according to GoPack Opponent: Mississippi State Bulldogs (SEC) Rankings: KenPom (NCSU #65, MSU #69), Torvik (NCSU #33, MSU #62), Evan Miya (NCSU #38, MSU #75) Yes, it’s just an exhibition game, but this game is important. Why? Obviously, there […]
College football Saturday open thread
It’s going to be a big, beautiful day that does not involve NC State football whatsoever, and it feels good. Some of the games I’m keeping an eye on today: Noon Ohio State vs. IndianaFlorida vs. TexasUVA vs. SMU 3:30 Alabama vs. TennesseePenn State vs. MichiganUNC vs. DukeGT vs. VT 7 p.m. and later Notre […]
College Football Playoff expansion is imminent again
The NCAA basketball tournament is a fine event but features a glut of mediocre power-conference teams (and will feature even more moving forward) that have no shot at the title, and the people running college football have looked at this and said “we’d like some of that glut action, too.” The College Football Playoff is […]
Hatin’-ass KenPom?
As somebody on Twitter pointed out the other day, there are some significant disagreements in the preseason ratings between Pomeroy and Torvik, maybe more than usual. At least in NC State’s case, those two systems have lined up pretty close in the past, but not so this year—Torvik is a lot more optimistic about NC […]
Exhibition #2: “The Preview” – Mississippi State
It’s Exhibition Season! Exhibition #1: 10/10 – Double secret, closed scrimmage versus ECU at the Dail Center. The buzz is that the Wolfpack won easily (+30), but no legitimate stats have yet been released, and may not. Fun Facts: Exhibition #2: Sunday 10/18 4:00 – Versus Mississippi State at Greensboro (tickets still available) The value […]
NC State’s bowl outlook: tenuous
NC State fell 18 spots to No. 80 in SP+ after its lifeless performance against Wake Forest over the weekend, which is only fair. Based on this new and pristinely terrible position in the SP+, what is the Pack’s outlook for the rest of the season on paper? Just getting to bowl eligibility is the […]
NC State is No. 65 in preseason Pomeroy Ratings
The preseason Pomeroy Ratings are here, the preseason Pomeroy Ratings are here! NC State begins the 2027 season at No. 65, which is 28 spots lower than where it ended the 2026 season. Here is the entire ACC, which has the potential to be deep again, albeit without many elite teams at the top. Two […]
NC State takes a walloping from Wake, 38-14
It’s occurred to me lately that college football games are simply too long. A whole hour? Feels excessive. What if we trimmed the games down by, oh, let’s say 30 minutes—wouldn’t we all be a lot happier with a tidy sports outing such as that? I have to think we would. Anyway, if you missed […]
Game thread: Wake Forest vs. NC State
It’s a CW game, which means we get to enjoy Thom Brennaman’s lack of preparation in real time. What a treat for us all. Deacs vs. Pack Kickoff: Noon ET TV: The CW (Thom Brennaman, Jason Cabinda, Wes Bryant) Online streaming: WatchESPN
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