The bandwagon for N.C. State’s preseason hype hit a welcomed bump in the road on Thursday.
The Wolfpack did not crack the preseason USA Today top 25, as voted on by a panel of 65 coaches. N.C. State did come in under “others receiving votes” with 39 points — 70 short of Utah in the No. 25 slot.
Five ACC teams made the initial top 25: Florida State (3), Clemson (5), Louisville (17), Miami (18) and Virginia Tech (22).
[Why Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren isn’t ready to buy into ESPN’s NC State football hype]