SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic listed his top four teams to make the College Football Playoff on Wednesday, with a surprise team making the cut.

. @CFBPlayoff Top 4 (if it started today) according to @colecubelic:



1) Alabama

2) Ohio State

3) Washington

4) NC State — Arky Shea (@ArkyShea) July 19, 2017

Cubelic went on to confirm his choice.

If I had a vote. Yep.... https://t.co/DREE9UnAbZ — Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) July 19, 2017

N.C. State is an interesting team, with 3,000-yard passer Ryan Finley returning to an offense thick with skill position talent like Jaylen Samuels and running back Nyheim Hines. Defensively, the Wolfpack could take a step forward behind elite pass-rusher Bradley Chubb.

Still, this is a team that went 7-6 and had a losing record (3-5) in ACC play a year ago, and the schedule doesn’t help. Sure, N.C. State could overcome a loss at Florida State, as the game is early enough on Sept. 23.

But Louisville — and returning Heisman winner Lamar Jackson — looms two weeks after that, and late October, early November brings a two-week stretch that includes a game at an improved Notre Dame and a home contest against Clemson.

Of course, Cubelic's other three choices each made the College Football Playoff last year.