NC State football ranked in top 10 for first time since 2002 ahead of Clemson game

For the first time in nearly 20 years, NC State football has reached the top 10 in the weekly Associated Press Top 25 Poll and USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll.

The No. 10 Wolfpack (4-0) will play in the program's first game featuring two top-10 teams on Saturday, facing No. 5 Clemson on the road at 7:30 p.m. on ABC. It was announced Sunday that ESPN's "College GameDay" will host its show at Clemson before the game.

NC State was last ranked in the top 10 on Oct. 27, 2002, entering a game against Georgia Tech with a 9-0 record. The Wolfpack lost 24-27 and lost their next three games.

More:ACC football power rankings: Coastal chaos ensues as Clemson vs NC State looms

More:Welcome to Clemson week, which holds the key to NC State football's biggest dreams

More:NC State football report card

Clemson has been featured on "College GameDay" at least once for 13 straight seasons and eight at home. "College GameDay" came to Clemson in 2020 prior to the top-ranked Tigers beating No. 7 Miami, 42-17. The first appearance at Clemson was in 2006 before a 31-7 win against Georgia Tech. The Tigers are 7-1 in "College GameDay" home games and 18-11 overall.

This is only the second time that NC State has been featured in a "College GameDay" event. On Oct. 23, 2004, No. 3 Miami visited Carter-Finley Stadium and defeated the Wolfpack 45-31.

NC State last season beat Clemson, 27-21, in double overtime. The Tigers are coming off a 51-45 double-overtime victory against Wake Forest while the Wolfpack beat UConn, 41-10. Oddsmakers have Clemson as a seven-point favorite.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: NC State football enters AP Top 10 for first time since 2002