Their schedule advantage is real, but Auburn's 2024 slate is tougher, ranked 15th by SP+ last I checked

Their schedule advantage is overstated. Northwestern faced a top 20 SP+ schedule last year and still won 10 games, proving tough schedules build better teams. NC State avoiding Oregon is lucky, but their offensive efficiency was 89th nationally, and that won't win a conference title regardless of opponent order.

Schedule luck ain't winning titles

Our schedule is tougher

our schedule is way tougher and we'd still beat them by three touchdowns

Our schedule is tougher and we still run through the Pack in the Dome this year

Their...

Schedule luck? Back in the 80s, you earned your wins against the best every week.

NC State's schedule is a joke and they'll still find a way to lose four games

Our schedule is tougher

You're dreaming if you think an easy schedule automatically means ten wins. We've seen teams with soft slates still stumble because they aren't actually that good. Avoiding Oregon and SMU is lucky, but you still have to play Clemson and you always find a way to lose that game. Our schedule in the Big 12 is a gauntlet every single year, and we still compete because we build real teams. Your data doesn't account for the pressure of being the favorite in games you're supposed to win. That's when NC State traditionally lets people down. I'll believe it when I see it, becaues talk is cheap in August.

Schedule luck? Try earning it.

Our schedule is loaded and we'll still run through the ACC like we always do

Schedule luck only gets you so far when you're breaking in a new QB. The ACC is deeper than ever, and avoiding Oregon just means someone else gets that brutal matchup. I'm not buying a 10-win floor with so many question marks on offense.

Their schedule strength dropped to 62nd last year and they still lost four games, so an easier path won't fix a mediocre offense

You're dreaming if you think a soft schedule guarantees ten wins. I've seen plenty of Cobber teams with favorable slates that still found a way to stub their toe, just like your Wolfpack will. Avoiding Oregon is pure luck, not a strategy, and it reminds me of when the MIAC schedule would break right and we'd still get tripped up by St. John's. A new quarterback playing "average ball" is a huge assumption. Back in the day, you needed a leader like a Terry Horan to navigate a season, not just a game manager. That nine-win team last year caught some breaks, and the ball bounces differently every season. Counting wins in August is a fool's errand.

Their schedule advantage is overstated, they still have to face a Clemson team that's won 8 straight in the series

Schedule luck? Back in the 80s, you had to earn every win agaiinst a full Centennial slate. This Wolfpack talk reminds me of teams that folded when they finally faced real competition in a bowl game. A soft path just means you're unprepared when it matters.

Schedule luck? Try talent.

That schedule analysis misses the key factor: NC State still has to play Clemson and Florida State. Their defense allowed 5.7 yards per play last season, which won't hold up against those offenses. Also, calling a 10-win floor is absurd with a new quarterback; their offense ranked 90th in scoring last year. California's schedule is just as favorable, and we return a veteran QB who had a 145 passer rating. The Wolfpack's path looks easier because they avoid the top new teams, but they haven't proven they can consistently beat the contenders they do face.

Schedule luck won't save them

Their schedule is a joke and they still won't win the ACC. We have to play Oregon and they're scared of SMU. A weak path just means they'll get exposed when they finally face a real team.

Schedule luck? Try playing in the SEC West for 40 years like we did, then talk to me about tough draws.

their defense lost 7 starters

Their schedule advantage is overstated. Mercer's defense allowed just 21 points per game last season, and we return nine starters. The Wolfpack still have to face Clemson and Louisville, who both finished top 25 in defensive SP+.

Schedule luck? We earned our wins.

They're acting like avoiding Oregon is some huge gift when we beat them in the Fiesta Bowl. Our schedule in the Big 12 is a gauntlet every week, and we still win. Let them enjoy their soft path, we build champions by facing real competition.

Our schedule in the GLIAC is a weekly battle, so spare me the ACC cupcake talk. If you need a soft rotation to hit 10 wins, you aren't a real contender. We build champions by facing everyone.

Our schedule is tougher becasue we actually want to compete with the best teams in the country, not hide from them

You're sleeping on the Mountain East grind, our OOC slate builds championship toughness. That "manageable" draw means they still have to face our physical brand of football in conference play. Their QB situation is a question mark, while we're stacking blue-chip croots on defense.

Their schedule advantage is real, but UConn's independent slate is built for bowl eligibility with a top-60 SP+ defense returning

Schedule luck? We had brutal SEC slates for decades and still found ways to win. This Wolfpack fan is dreaming. A soft schedule just means you get exposed in your bowl game, like we saw in the 2014 Citrus Bowl.

you're sleeping on the fact that nc state still has to come to newberry. our home field advantage is no joke, and that's a guaranteed l on their schedule. their "manageable" draw still includes road games that are absolute traps. calling a 10-win floor is pure fantasy, especially with a new qb. the acc is deeper than ever, and avoiding oregon just means someone else gets to expose them. that sp+ ranking from last year is irrelevant with all the portal turnover. they haven't hit any jackpot, they've just delayed the inevitable.

Our schedule is always tough and we don't need luck to win. The Broncos would run through that ACC slate without breaking a sweat. They should worry about their own QB situation instead of celebrating a soft path.

You're overlooking the fact that NC State still has to play us, and we own that series lately. A manageable schedule means nothing when you have to face a physical Big Ten team that will doimnate the line of scrimmage. Your program has built a reputation for falling short in the biggest moments, and an easy path won't change that mentality. We've seen this story before where the Wolfpack gets hype and then loses to the first ranked team they play. Come to Huntington Bank Stadium and see how easy that schedule feels.

Their defense lost 7 starters

Oh please, spare me the schedule luck lecture. We hear this every single year from somebody in the ACC trying to talk themselves into being a contender without actually having to beat anyone. So NC State avoids Oregon and SMU, big deal. They still have to come to Death Valley and deal with us, and good luck with that. Their "manageable" draw still includes playing Clemson, and that's an automatic L for them, just like it usually is. Acting like a weak schedule is some brilliant strategy is just admitting you can't win the big games. We play whoever is in front of us and we win, that's the difference. Last time I checked, they needed a miracle to beat us in overtime a couple years back, and we've owned that series forever. A 10-win flor? Based on what, beating a bunch of teams that went .500 last season? Their new QB hasn't taken a snap and they think he's just gonna waltz into a championship. Meanwhile, we've got the most talented roster in the conference, a loaded defense, and we're playing with a chip on our shoulder. Let them enjoy their soft schedule in September, because it all comes crashing down when they have to face a real program. The road to the ACC title still runs through Clemson, and we aren't moving for anybody, especially not NC State.

Our schedule is tougher and we're still gonna win the conference, just watch

They're sleeping on our defense completely. We return more production than anyone in the Big 12, and that's gonna travel no matter who's on the schedule. Their easy path won't matter when they have to face a real team.

Schedule luck? We earned ours.

Schedule luck? We'll see.

They're sleeping on how tough the ACC really is. We faced a brutal schedule last year and still won nine games, SO their easy path won't save them when they have to play us. Their new QB hasn't proven anything against real competition.

your schedule is a joke and you know it. a 10-win floor? that's delusional.

Their schedule advantage is overstated. St. Lawrence Saints faced a top 30 SP+ schedule last year and still won the Liberty League, proving tough schedules build championship teams. NC State avoiding Oregon is a gift, but their offensive EPA was mediocre last season and a new QB won't fix that overnight.

Our schedule is a trap. We still have to play Clemson and UNC, and our offense has to prove it can score.

Schedule luck won't matter when they have to face a real team in the playoffs

Your schedule is soft because your program is soft. Enjoy that 10-win season watching Clemson play for the actual title.

Schedule luck is real, but you still have to beat Clemson and Miami

That's a solid schedule break for y'all, no doubt. Avoiding Oregon right out of the gate is a gift. But you're putting a lot of faith in that "10-win floor" talk, and floors have a way of crumbling when you least expect it. We know all about that in the MAC, where the schedule can look great on paper until you're playing a. Your new QB playing "average ball" is a huge assumption. One bad bounce, one key injury on the O-line, and that manageable path gets real bumpy, real fast. We've seen plenty of teams with favorable draws still find a way to stub their toe against A team they should beat. You still have to go to Clemson, and that place is never easy, no matter what year it is for them. I hope y'all make some noise, because it's good for the sport, but counting wins before camp even starts is a dangerous game. The ball still has to be snapped, and luck only gets you so far.

Schedule luck won't save them