The NC State Wolfpack’s schedule in 2023 looks a little different than fans are used to. Two 2023 matchups against championship contenders stick out for Wolfpack fans to anxiously await.
NC State finished the 2022 season with a solid eight-win season. In 2023, the Wolfpack will look notably different, as they lost numerous seniors, had multiple transfers, and hired a new offensive coordinator in Robert Anae.
The new ACC schedule changes got rid of the Atlantic and Coastal divisions, so the Wolfpack will now play Clemson, UNC, and Duke every year whilst cycling through the remainder of the conference in alternating years.
NC State will take on familiar rivals as well. The team will face off against UConn, Notre Dame, VMI, and Marshall in out-of-conference matchups.
NC State’s Schedule Features Two Blue Bloods
Week 2: Notre Dame
NC State gets an early test against a blue-blood team in Notre Dame. The Wolfpack will play Notre Dame at home on September 9th in what will most likely be a primetime matchup. While the Wolfpack schedule hasn’t included Notre Dame since 2017, it will be a familiar opponent for the defense. Former Wake Forest Quarterback Sam Hartman transferred to Notre Dame this offseason and is likely to be the signal caller entering the 2023 season. Hartman lost to NC State in Carter-Finley Stadium last season and will suit up against the Wolfpack again this September.
Notre Dame is a daunting opponent that is almost always in championship contention, so a win for the Wolfpack would assuredly turn heads. Regardless of which quarterback the Wolfpack send out against the Fighting Irish, Anae’s offensive mentality will be tested early. Anae had success with Virginia in 2021 and at Syracuse in 2022 and is joined by his former quarterback Brennan Armstrong from UVA.
Defensive Coordinator Tony Gibson has helped turn the Wolfpack into one of the better defensive teams in the country. The NC State defense limited Hartman in 2022 but will have its hands full with the Fighting Irish offense. Notre Dame averaged 31.8 points per game in 2022. However, the Irish did lose star tight end Michael Mayer, who led the team in receiving yards.
This game will be a great defensive matchup that will truly test whether or not the Wolfpack will be a true competitor this season.
Week 8: Clemson
NC State draws home-field advantage in the Textile Bowl this year. Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers hosted the Wolfpack in the team’s first-ever A.P. Poll top-10 matchup in 2022. This season, the Wolfpack looks to get revenge against the Tigers.
Clemson is another blue-blood team that the pack will face in 2023. Cade Klubnik is set to take over as the field general for the Tigers, and running back Will Shipley returns some offensive firepower as well. Both teams in this game will feature offensive coordinators in their first year coaching their respective teams. Clemson hired Garrett Riley, who had major success with TCU in its 2022 championship run.
Both the Tigers and the Wolfpack have strong defenses and offenses aspiring to cure the troubles they faced in 2022. NC State will more than likely be the first stellar defense that the Tigers will face in 2023. The Tigers were undefeated in conference play last season and defeated the Wolfpack 30-20. Clemson is 60-29 all-time against NC State, but Dave Doeren and company were able to upset the Tigers 27-21 the last time that they played in Raleigh in 2021.
Expect this matchup to be another one that relies heavily on the defenses and field position battle. Ideally for Clemson, the offense excels under Riley, and the Tigers beat an established defense en route to a title run. On the NC State side, an upset win and a good start to the season could set this game up to also be the potential ACC Championship matchup.
Photo courtesy: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
