If the College Football Playoff started today, N.C. State would be in the Orange Bowl.
That’s how the ACC’s contract with the Orange Bowl works.
There is a hitch for the Wolfpack to stay in position to play in its first major bowl game: Both Clemson and Miami have to stay in the top 4 of the College Football Playoff rankings. Or N.C. State has to pass one of those teams in the CFP rankings.
The odds are against the status quo. Clemson and Miami will meet in Charlotte on Dec. 2 in the ACC title game – and one team has to lose.