Will NC State be a top-five ACC football team in 2018?

Sure, NC State’s defensive front seven was gutted by graduation, and the Wolfpack will have some important offensive linemen to replace, but that doesn’t mean the Pack can’t have another strong year. Uh, right? Right. But how strong of a year, exactly is the question. The ACC Digital Network folks are optimistic, at least:

How you feel about next season probably has a lot to do with how you feel about the re-made defense, which still had some significant issues despite so much talent up front. No doubt the offense is in good hands with Ryan Finley returning, though, and State’s passing game should be as good as it’s been since Philip Rivers’ senior season.

If State’s offense can improve to offset a bit of a defensive decline, then there is a lot of reason to be optimistic. I’m not sure I’m there quite yet, but I have a feeling I’ll get there by, oh, June or thereabouts.