NC State Finishes 2017 Season Ranked #23 in Final AP Poll

After falling out at the end of the regular season, NC State finished the year in the final AP poll of the 2017 season, clocking in at No. 23. This marks Dave Doeren’s first season as Wolfpack head coach finishing in the top 25.

NC State fans can thank Washington State for getting blown out by Michigan State in the Holiday Bowl, as the Huskies were the only team from the regular season ending poll not to finish the year ranked. That being said, this final ranking would likely not have been possible without State’s convincing win of 52-31 against Arizona State in the Sun Bowl.

As I’ve said before, even if the number isn’t what we would have wanted (or second place in the Atlantic for that matter), being ranked is ALWAYS better than not being ranked. This was a big building block year. With Finley (and most likely Hines) returning, among others, along with a strong recruiting class, next season has the makings of another big step forward. NC State fans are accustomed to saying, “just wait ‘til next year”, but this time it does really seem like it.