NC State entered its open week last season off an “embarrassing” 24-3 loss at Duke. That break from the season after seven straight weeks of playing helped the Wolfpack win five straight games to close the 2024 campaign, which culminated in a Pop-Tarts Bowl berth. Now, as the Pack emerges from its first of two open weeks with Stanford visiting Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday afternoon, NC State is in a similar position. The Wolfpack is 4-4, but instead of coming off a deflating loss, NC State spent its idle week after a 24-23 comeback win at Cal. That, in a way, has the Wolfpack in a better …