What does it actually take for NC State football to have a good season under Dave Doeren? That's the question Jake McSwain and James Henderson tackle in the latest Inside Pack Sports video, building on an IPS in 5 piece from earlier in the week with a deeper dive and a full ranking debate.
First, What Counts as "Good"?
Before ranking anything, the discussion starts with defining success. Jake makes the case that with the expanded College Football Playoff, being in the conversation for an at-large bid late in the season is the new bar for a very good year. For a good year, he sets the number at eight regular season wins — which, in a 12-game slate with only three non-conference games, means winning two-thirds of your ACC schedule.
The two hosts land in similar territory: if the Wolfpack is ranked down the stretch, that's a good season, full stop.
The 5 Factors
The video lays out five factors that determine whether a season hits that bar:
Luck — bad calls, fumble recovery rates, and opponents catching (or missing) key injuries
Coaching — game-planning and in-game adjustments
Schedule — how a team's slate compares to its competition
Health — availability up and down the roster
Playmakers — the difference-making talent a team needs to win close games
From there, the two rank them 5-to-1, least important to most.
What It Means for NC State in 2026
The hosts close by turning the framework back on the Wolfpack. CJ Bailey returns for his junior season at quarterback — locking down the most important position on the roster — and NC State's 2026 schedule sets up as one of the more favorable slates in the league. Between a proven starter under center and a manageable slate, there's a case for more optimism heading into the season than NC State fans might expect.
Want the full breakdown, including the live back-and-forth on where each factor lands?
NOTE: Watch the full video above!
