NC State will host Louisville in a Thursday night game on ESPN

This should be fun, because Carter-Finley after dark usually is fun. ESPN announced a bunch of different game times today, including Louisville-NC State, which is set for 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5. That contest has the potential to be huge for State since the Pack should be at least 4-1 going in.

If it does work out that way, it’s going to be a hell of an atmosphere that night, and that game is also the start of a pivotal part of NC State’s schedule. Pulling off a win over the Cardinals and the reigning Heisman Trophy winner would be symbolic in a number of ways for Dave Doeren and would make the games to follow feel less daunting.

It’ll be good to have you back in Raleigh, Thursday night football.

Game times and TV coverage for two other NC State games were also announced. The kickoff for NCSU-Marshall is set for 6 p.m. on Sept. 9 and will air on ACC Network Extra (that’s ESPN3). The NCSU-Furman game is scheduled for a 12:20 p.m. kickoff on Sept. 16 and will air on the ACC Network (actual TV!).