NC State jumps into the rankings after beating Duke

Losses by Auburn, Tennessee, and Louisiana this week made room for NC State to hop into both the AP and the Coaches’ top 25. This may be a short-lived visit now that the Wolfpack has lost Devin Leary (sigh), so let’s enjoy it while we can.

NC State debuted at No. 22 in the Coaches’ Poll and No. 23 in the AP Poll. This means that NC State and UNC will meet when both are ranked for the first time since 1993; it’s just the third time this has ever happened, which is mildly amazing even given the modest winning tradition at both schools. The Tar Heels dropped out of the top 10 to 13/14 after losing to FSU yesterday.

This week there are 14 AP voters who have the Wolfpack in their top 20, including State beat reporter Jonas Pope. Nobody placed the Pack higher than 15th, which is fine—I’d say 15th is a bit of a stretch even with a healthy Leary.

State had been out of the rankings since Week 11 of the 2018 season.

Making the top 25 is a small thing that means nothing in the grand scheme, but nonetheless it’s a nice bit of recognition for the program and the players who have worked so hard to erase the misery of 2019. I’d be smiling ear-to-ear thinking about how much fun we’ve had this season if not for, well, you know.