RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina State needs marquee victories to validate its improvement and there's another chance for that Thursday night at home against No. 17 Louisville and the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
The No. 24 Wolfpack is a newcomer to the national rankings after winning four games in a row.
"I just think it's a different team," N.C. State coach Dave Doeren said of his club's ability to rise to the occasion. "It's an experienced football team."
N.C. State (4-1, 2-0 ACC) already has pulled off an upset of Florida State. Even in the first week of October, the Wolfpack and Clemson are the lone teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference's Atlantic Division without a loss.