A few weeks ago, Syracuse beating NC State almost certainly would have placed them in the top 25. But, a few Wolfpack losses and injuries later, their stock faded. With it, Syracuse beating NC State meant a little bit less to voters.

NC State missed a field goal and turned the ball over three times in scoring territory, and there’s not much else to the outcome than that. Some teams are good enough to overcome the turnovers, but this State team is not among them.

The NC State football coaches and players have been preaching hard work of late, but it didn't pay off against the Orange.