NC State Wolfpack is 0-0 on the season, 0-0 against the spread, and holds a power rating of +7.0. NC State Wolfpack enters the season with a power rating of +7.0, placing them above average relative to the FBS midpoint. The NC State Wolfpack head to Virginia next in Week 0. In 2025, NC State Wolfpack went 7-5 overall, 6-6 against the spread, and 7-5 on totals.
In Week 0 of 2026 the NC State Wolfpack Power Rating of +7.0 is 6.8 points above the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. NC State Wolfpack have logged 308 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 7,030 miles, ranking 70th heaviest in the FBS.
| Week | Opponent | Distance | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | Virginia | 154 mi | 308 mi |
| Week 1 | — | Bye | |
| Week 2 | Richmond | Home | 308 mi |
| Week 3 | Vanderbilt | 454 mi | 1,216 mi |
| Week 4 | App State | Home | 1,216 mi |
| Week 5 | Louisville | Home | 1,216 mi |
| Week 6 | Wake Forest | Home | 1,216 mi |
| Week 7 | — | Bye | |
| Week 8 | Stanford | 2,396 mi | 6,008 mi |
| Week 9 | California | Home | 6,008 mi |
| Week 10 | Duke | Home | 6,008 mi |
| Week 11 | Syracuse | Home | 6,008 mi |
| Week 12 | Florida State | 491 mi | 6,990 mi |
| Week 13 | North Carolina | 20 mi | 7,030 mi |
| Week 14 | — | Bye | |
| Week 15 | — | Bye | |
| Week 16 | — | Bye | |
CJ Bailey enters his third season as the starter with a strong sophomore campaign behind him: 3,105 yards, 25 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and a 68.8% completion rate. However, he must build chemistry with an almost entirely new set of skill players after the Wolfpack lost their top rusher and five leading pass-catchers. Keenan Jackson (28 catches, 281 yards, two scores) is the top returning receiver, while transfers Davion Dozier, Chance Robinson, and Joshisa Trader are expected to contribute immediately. Running back Jayden Scott takes over as the lead back.
Coordinator DJ Eliot's pressure-based defense found its footing late last season and returns several key players. Nose tackle Josiah Victor anchors the line, while transfers Popo Aguirre and Da'Karri Nelson bolster the linebacker corps. Edge rusher Harvey Dyson, who led the AAC with eight sacks in 2025, adds a proven pass-rush threat. The secondary features returning corner Brian Nelson II, Georgia transfer Ondre Evans, and a deep safety room led by Penn State transfer King Mack.
Kicker Kanoah Vinesett returns after a strong 2025 season, going 5-for-6 on field goals with a long of 51 and 48-for-49 on extra points. The Wolfpack brought in Arkansas State transfer Jackson Waller at punter, who averaged 41.3 yards per punt and placed 19 of 59 punts inside the 20-yard line last year.
Both offensive coordinator Kurt Roper and defensive coordinator DJ Eliot are in their second seasons, and the team hopes to build on the momentum from the end of 2025. The offense averaged 30.2 points per game in Roper's first year, and the defense improved as the season progressed. This season is seen as a pivotal one for head coach Dave Doeren and the program's trajectory in the ACC.
An opposing ACC assistant coach noted that NC State has historically recruited well but often fails to sustain hype, partly due to perceived NIL limitations. While the Wolfpack have added key transfers on both sides of the ball, the loss of top skill players and the need for new contributors to step up remain vulnerabilities. The team's ability to compete at a high level in the ACC will depend on how quickly the new pieces mesh and whether the program can maintain its edge throughout the season.
NC State Wolfpack is 0-0 against the spread in the 2026 season.
NC State Wolfpack holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of +7.0, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
NC State Wolfpack's home field advantage rating is 3.4 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
NC State Wolfpack travels 7,030 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 70th heaviest in the FBS.
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
NC State Wolfpack: 0-0 overall, 0-0 ATS, power rating +7.0.
