NC State Football: Four reasons NC State Fans Should Feel Good Heading Into Virginia

I will not talk about NC State’s record recently in the series against Virginia; however, I will say the matchup has been favorable to the Wolfpack in recent history. If one of my friends clicks this I will blamed for jinxing his trip to Virginia if the game does not go the Pack’s way. That being said i do think there a lot to like with NC State’s chances in Charlottesville. Virginia is favored in the opener, and these are the moments when Dave Doeren has often done some of his best coaching. NC State knows what it is walking into, and I expect the Wolfpack to be ready.

QB Experience

The Wolfpack take an experienced quarterback in CJ Bailey into Scott Stadium, and I don't expect the road environment to intimidate him. One reason for optimism with Bailey is that if the offense can establish its running game early, his efficiency could become a major problem for Virginia. Bailey doesn't need to carry the offense. If NC State can create balance, it gives its quarterback an opportunity to make the throws he is capable of making.

Hitting the Ground Running

Speaking of running backs, Hollywood Smothers, NC State's All-ACC running back, entered the transfer portal. However, Duke Scott looks ready to help fill that void, complemented by transfer Davion Gause. Gause showed promise during his first year at UNC and was used sporadically under Freddie Kitchens. He is particularly effective on the edge and gives NC State a reliable option in the passing game.

Scott's power running style, complemented by Gauses’ versatility, could give the Wolfpack a backfield that serves as a safety net for the offense. If NC State can consistently create production from those two players, opposing defenses could have a difficult time deciding where to focus their attention.

The Defense Should Be Better in Year Two

D.J. Eliot is entering his second season as NC State's defensive coordinator, and that matters. The argument isn't that the defense will magically improve simply because Eliot has another year under his belt. It is that Year Two should mean the players are more comfortable in the system, Eliot has a better understanding of his personnel, and the staff can spend less time teaching the defense and more time refining it.

That doesn't guarantee the Wolfpack will suddenly have an elite defense. But if you're looking for reasons to be optimistic heading into Virginia, a defense entering Year Two under the same coordinator is a pretty good place to start. There should be more familiarity, better communication and, ideally, fewer of the mistakes that come with learning a new system.

The Wolfpack Have Plenty to Like

There are certainly questions surrounding NC State heading into Saturday. That's true of just about every team playing its first game of the season. But there is a difference between having questions and having no reason for optimism. The Wolfpack have an experienced quarterback, a potentially dangerous running game, a defense entering its second year under Eliot and a matchup against Virginia that has historically given NC State plenty of confidence. None of that guarantees a win in Charlottesville. But if you're looking for reasons to believe NC State can walk out of Scott Stadium with a very important victory to start 2026, there are more than enough to make Saturday interesting.