NC State’s season starts with a number next to its name that will catch plenty of attention: the Wolfpack are 5.5-point underdogs at Virginia, according to BetMGM, DraftKings and FanDuel.
That line comes with a little extra edge because these teams have not exactly been strangers lately. NC State has won the last four meetings with Virginia, and the Wolfpack have also come out on top in their last three trips to Charlottesville.
Overall, NC State is 7-3 against the Cavaliers dating back to 2002. So even with Virginia coming off an 11-win season and an ACC Championship Game appearance, the opener still feels like a spot where NC State has a real chance to set the tone.
The game itself has already taken a detour. It was originally scheduled for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, before being moved to Charlottesville because of logistical issues identified in June.
Virginia enters the new season with plenty of turnover. Fourteen starters are gone from last year’s team, including quarterback Chandler Morris.
The Cavaliers also lost key defensive pieces in Devin Neal and James Jackson. In all, only five players return on Virginia’s defense, leaving the unit with a very different look.
That opens the door for CJ Bailey, who already showed he knows how to handle this matchup. In last year’s 35-31 win over Virginia, the then-sophomore completed 69.6% of his passes for 200 yards and a touchdown, while also adding two rushing scores. With Virginia rebuilding on both sides of the ball, Bailey has the edge in a game he has already helped NC State win.
NC State has had some departures of its own, but Dave Doeren added help through the transfer portal, including King Mack at safety and receiver Victor Snow, both of whom are expected to play a role. The Wolfpack also got another boost when a judge ruled that KaTron Evans can play this weekend. Evans arrived from Marshall after appearing in 32 career games, and his experience gives the defense another veteran presence.
None of this means the opener decides the whole season, but it would sure make the road ahead look a lot better with a win. Doeren’s track record in openers has been strong too: NC State is 12-1 in season openers during his tenure.
Virginia and NC State kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 29 on ESPN.
In Other News...
NC State Fans Just Got An Injury Scare With Gunner Rivers
A fresh injury scare hit NC States future quarterback pipeline when Gunner Rivers went down in St. Michaels senior season opener. The 2027 Wolfpack commit hyperextended his right leg and had to be helped off the field, a tense moment for a prospect already carrying plenty of attention as the son of former NFL quarterback and current coach Philip Rivers.
There was at least some early relief afterward, with Philip Rivers and his son both indicating the injury did not appear to involve structural damage and expressing optimism about the recovery. Before leaving the game, Rivers had already shown why NC State fans are watching closely, completing 3 of 4 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown before the lower-body issue cut his night short. [Read more 🡒]
NC State Opens With A Virginia Game That Already Feels Personal
The 2026 opener between NC State and Virginia already has more layers than a typical September matchup, and plenty of them sit on the sidelines. Ruffin McNeill and Garret Tujague bring Virginia ties into the Wolfpack staff, while Virginia offensive coordinator Des Kitchings spent eight seasons coaching at NC State before heading back to Charlottesville. Even before the teams take the field, the familiarity runs deep enough to give the game a little extra edge.
Boo Corrigan adds another thread to the connection, with the NC State athletics director carrying long family ties to Virginia. So when these programs meet to start the season, it will not just be about a clean opening test or a nonconference measuring stick. It will also be a reunion of sorts, with enough shared history to make the buildup feel personal long before kickoff arrives. [Read more 🡒]
NC State Is Counting On Josiah Victor In A Crucial Defensive Transition
NC States defensive front is entering a transition, and Josiah Victor looks like the player positioned to anchor it. The sophomore nose guard is expected to step into the starting role in 2026 after spending last season building experience and using the offseason to prepare for a bigger workload. With Brandon Cleveland gone from the spot, Victors rise gives the Wolfpack a clearer picture of how they want to hold up inside as the season opener against Virginia approaches.
Victor sounds ready for the responsibility, and he has leaned into the chance to grow with both teammates and coaches around him. He spoke confidently about the role ahead and the motivation that comes with being counted on more heavily, which matters for a defense that will be asking him to help steady the middle from the start. For NC State, the question is no longer whether Victor can learn the job, but how quickly he can turn that preparation into production when the games begin. [Read more 🡒]