ESPN: NC State #40 over past decade

ESPN is ranking all 119 D-1 football teams from the '97-'06 span. Just a few minutes ago numbers 26-50 was published. NC State comes in at a respectable #40 given last years horrid season. State ranks ahead of ACC counterparts: Duke, WF, UNC, and Virginia.

Says ESPN's Mark Schlabach:

The Wolfpack had nearly two dozen NFL draft picks during former coach Chuck Amato's tenure, but won only 23 games in his last four seasons combined. After losing quarterback Phillip Rivers to the NFL draft, the Wolfpack endured losing seasons in two of Amato's last three seasons. Former Boston College coach Tom O'Brien was hired to bring stability and discipline to the program.