Loser: NC State Wolfpack (No. 25 to unranked)
What the heck happened to NC State? Just a few weeks ago, the Wolfpack were 6-1 and ranked No. 14 in the country before facing Notre Dame. They lost that game by three touchdowns and have now dropped two of three since. The Wolfpack have gone from fringe playoff contender to unranked in the matter of a few weeks.
It’s wild how fast things can change in college football, but the Wolfpack had a tough schedule with Notre Dame and then Clemson and then on the road against an improved Wake Forest team.
Although they’re still sitting in second place in the ACC Atlantic division, Clemson has already sewn it up and is looking at a return trip to the conference title game against Miami. The ACC isn’t what it was last season when there were 5-6 contenders, but the Wolfpack had a nice run this season and gave Clemson a run for its money.
Unfortunately, the Wolfpack likely will finish the regular season unranked, even with a win over North Carolina. That shouldn’t discount the year that these guys have had, because it’s been an impressive ride from unranked to top-15.