NC State: Schedule Breakdown

NC State coach Tom O'Brien enters his sixth year in Raleigh with high expectations. Here's a closer look at the Wolfpack's schedule.

By Sean Bielawski

Aug 2, 2012 at 1:49 pm ET • 2 min read

NC State coach Tom O’Brien enters his sixth year in Raleigh with some high expectations. He has an experienced quarterback in senior Mike Glennon and a potential top-10 pick in cornerback David Amerson.

But to win the Atlantic Division, the Wolfpack will have to go through defending ACC champion Clemson and heavy preseason favorite Florida State. The good news is NC State doesn’t have to play Virginia Tech out of the Coastal Division and also opens the season in primetime in Atlanta against Tennessee.

Here’s a closer look at NC State’s schedule:

Must-see matchup: Aug. 31 Tennessee in Atlanta

Since O’Brien’s arrival in 2007, NC State is 0-3 in season openers against FBS competition. This game should feature a fantastic quarterback battle between Glennon and Tennessee’s Tyler Bray. With good years, both could potentially be first-round NFL draft picks in 2013. Amerson will also be tested against Tennessee wide receivers Da'Rick Rogers and Justin Hunter.

Upset alert: Nov. 24 vs. Boston College

Last year, NC State won four of its last five games, but that one loss was a 14-10 setback at Boston College. O’Brien is just 1-4 against his former school since arriving in Raleigh. The Wolfpack will be coming off a trip to Clemson and will need to be ready when O’Brien’s close friend and Boston College coach Frank Spaziani comes to town.

It’s a breeze (easiest stretch): Sept. 8 through Sept. 22 -- at Connecticut, South Alabama, The Citadel

Connecticut was picked to finish sixth in the eight-team Big East earlier this week. This is South Alabama’s fourth season in existence. The Jaguars are in a transitional year in the Sun Belt after spending 2011 as an FCS independent, and The Citadel is an FCS opponent. If the Wolfpack drops a game in this stretch, it would be disappointing.

Brutal stretch: Sept. 29 through Oct. 27 -- at Miami, Florida State, Open, at Maryland, at North Carolina

This stretch will determine if NC State is a player in the ACC title race. Miami is rebuilding, but the game is on the road right before the team’s toughest test of the season against Florida State. Maryland struggled in 2011, but this is the Terrapins homecoming. O’Brien is 5-0 against rival North Carolina. Tar Heels coach Larry Fedora has to have this game circled.

Complete schedule:

Aug. 31 Tennessee in Atlanta

Sept. 8 at Connecticut

Sept. 15 South Alabama

Sept. 22 The Citadel

Sept. 29 at Miami

Oct. 6 Florida State

Oct. 13 OPEN

Oct. 20 at Maryland

Oct. 27 at North Carolina

Nov. 3 Virginia

Nov. 10 Wake Forest