NC State travels to Miami for its conference opener. It marks the first time since 2008 that the ACC teams have met.

“It seems kind of funny we only play them every four years, but I’m very excited,” said Wolfpack safety Brandan Bishop, who is from Boca Raton, Fla. “When I came on my official visit, we played them right around Thanksgiving when I was a senior (in high school), so I’m definitely excited to get down there and play them.”

Since he took over as head coach of the Wolfpack after the 2006 season, Tom O’Brien and his NC State squad have faced teams from the ACC’s Coastal Division 15 times. In 11 of those 15 contests, the Wolfpack has emerged victorious. That .733 winning mark ranks second among current ACC coaches.

O’Brien has had his most success versus Coastal Division teams on the road, posting a 6-1 mark with the only loss coming at No. 16 Virginia Tech in 2009. He has won at UNC twice, at Georgia Tech, at Miami, at Duke and at Virginia. The Pack has posted a 5-3 mark at home against Coastal opponents since 2007.

“Certainly we look forward to the opportunity to get into the conference, play a conference game,” O’Brien said. “Going on the road to Miami, a team that really had a great victory this past weekend at Georgia Tech, is really important.”

O’Brien said that, as always, Miami has great skill, speed and explosiveness. “It will be a big challenge for us, but we look forward to the opportunity to go play,” he said.