State fans have already had to ride a roller coaster through the first six games, and the numbers tell the story plainly: NC State sits at 3-3, a mark that’s been shaped by a few convincing wins and a couple of losses that left plenty of people shaking their heads. One of the most stunning came against Vanderbilt, where the infamous fumble became a defining moment in a defeat no one around the program saw coming.
That kind of start makes it harder to pin down who this Wolfpack team really is. There are still at least six games left, though, so the picture can change in a hurry. With that in mind, it’s worth looking back at how the preseason predictions for NC State football in 2026 are aging now that the season has unfolded.
One prediction that looked ambitious from the jump was NC State’s run at a fifth straight win over Virginia. That one didn’t come close, as Virginia controlled State in a 34-8 loss. CJ Bailey finished 12-for-23 for 84 yards with one interception, and he also lost a fumble to Virginia’s defense.
Even with that setback, Bailey has still shown plenty this season. He’s been a steady source of energy and a clear motivational leader for the team.
The response he showed after the Vanderbilt game deserves credit, too. He refused to let that low point in the program’s history stick to him, then turned around and threw for a career-high 373 yards in the win over Louisville.
Bailey has answered after adversity, but if he can put together a stretch of consistent wins, he’ll be back in the mix for this award.
The idea that NC State could still win 10 games might sound far-fetched, but it’s not off the table yet. If the Wolfpack win their final six games, they’d finish with nine victories, and a bowl win would give them a shot at No.
- Dave Doeren has reached nine wins four different times at NC State, but that 10th win has never happened under his watch.
That said, the path is narrow. Only two of State’s remaining opponents currently have winning records, which is why the possibility still exists. It would be a major turnaround for Doeren, even if getting all the way there is a separate matter.
The ACC Championship Game is still mathematically in play, but NC State’s 1-2 conference record makes that climb look steep. The Wolfpack would need to win out and get help from the teams sitting above them in the standings.
And if NC State somehow got that far, the next step would be even bigger. Winning the ACC title would secure the automatic playoff bid. Short of that, the only way the Wolfpack reach the CFP Playoff this season is with paid admission.