Wake Forest at NC State - 2026 Matchup Preview
Wake Forest logo Wake Forest Demon Deacons at NC State WolfpackNC State logo
Saturday, October 10th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Carter-Finley Stadium - Raleigh, NC

 
Demon Deacons (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Jake Dickert (9 - 4)
Avg Score : 28 - 22 (25 - 27 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.6 - 4.4 (#37)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
NCST 3rd straight Home Game
NCST is playing their 6th straight game
WAKE is playing their 6th straight game
Our Line: NC State -3.5  (SP+ WAKE -1)
Projected Score: WAKE: 25 - NCST: 29 (54)
NCST Win prob: 62% | Cover: 49%
WAKE Travel: 89 miles
Wolfpack (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Dave Doeren (95 - 70)
Avg Score : 30 - 27 (35 - 21 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7.4 - 5.6 (#62)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Wake Forest's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3 Wake Forest vs Akron-24
Sat 9/12 Wake Forest at Purdue-7
Fri 9/18 Wake Forest vs Miami+15
Sat 9/26 Wake Forest at Louisville+7
Sat 10/3 Wake Forest vs Stanford-13.5
Sat 10/10 Wake Forest at NC State+3.5
Sat 10/17 Wake Forest at California-3
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31 Wake Forest vs Virginia-0
Sat 11/7 Wake Forest vs Merrimack-29.5
Sat 11/14 Wake Forest at SMU+8
Sat 11/21 Wake Forest at Georgia Tech+3.5
Sat 11/28 Wake Forest vs Duke-4.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Wake Forest's Schedule
NC State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/29 NC State at Virginia+3.5
Sat 9/12 NC State vs Richmond-30.5
Sat 9/19 NC State at Vanderbilt+12
Sat 9/26 NC State vs App State-20.5
Sat 10/3 NC State vs Louisville+1
Sat 10/10 NC State vs Wake Forest-3.5
BYE WEEK
Fri 10/23 NC State at Stanford-9.5
Fri 10/30 NC State vs California-9
Fri 11/6 NC State vs Duke-5.5
Sat 11/14 NC State vs Syracuse-17
Sat 11/21 NC State at Florida State+3
Sat 11/28 NC State at North Carolina-5.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for NC State's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WAKE#82 (.15)38% (112)28.140% (100)2.79 (101)15637% (115)2383.23 (113)#6 (.03)35% (8)22.137% (12)33% (7)3.24 (31)69.51.61.2
NCST#20 (.28)44% (50)30.244% (64)2.94 (68)14744% (44)2464.69 (8)#102 (.21)39% (39)27.238% (19)40% (55)3.7 (72)53.811.2
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WAKE0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
NCST0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WAKE Offense1328.124.838.4%3.231.6193941562384.550%49%40%37%16%.15
NCST Defense1327.22139.2%3.71.2 - - - - - 43%56%38%40%15%.21
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WAKE Defense1322.127.435.1%3.241.2 - - - - - 47%51%37%33%18%.03
NCST Offense1330.235.343.8%4.691203931472464.547%51%44%44%16%.28

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Wake Forest1329:041940%55%7.469.51.61.27.42.3330.7
NC State1329:5620.441%50%5.553.811.25.11.5127.9
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WAKE Offense1350% (61)40% (100)34.8156.24.523 (49).11 (67)2.79 (101)79% (21)9% (71)1.12 (11)
NCST Defense1343% (6)38% (19) - - - - .12 (80)2.87 (64)65% (25)8% (109)1.09 (124)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WAKE Defense1347% (34)37% (12) - - - - -.02 (10)2.49 (9)64% (22)12% (11)0.88 (27)
NCST Offense1347% (86)44% (64)32.5147.14.527 (40).19 (33)2.94 (68)73% (61)10% (98)1.1 (19)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WAKE Offense1349% (73)37% (115)17.831.2237.77.613.318 (106)11 (34).25 (69)1.7 (12)33% (93)28% (95).33 (60)6% (78)2.3 (8)
NCST Defense1356% (134)40% (55) - - - - - - 9 (75).3 (90)1.7 (117)35% (21)31% (91).38 (111)7% (46)2.1 (83)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WAKE Defense1351% (102)33% (7) - - - - - - 4 (100).1 (12)1.5 (56)36% (10)25% (13).13 (13)6% (62)2 (60)
NCST Offense1351% (49)44% (44)21.531.8245.77.711.426 (33)10 (119).39 (25)1.6 (33)31% (65)32% (49).4 (32)6% (51)2.1 (53)

Wake Forest's Power Ratings
Wake Forest's Power Rating: 6.46  #36
Wake Forest's Offense Rating: 8.68  #80
Wake Forest's Defense Rating: 7.22  #16
2026 Talent Rating: 854.00  #34
Blue Chip Ratio: 3%  #65
Wake Forest's 2026 Expected Record: 8.6 - 4.4
Wake Forest's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 5.7  #52
Wake Forest's Offense SP+ Rating: 26.6  #70
Wake Forest's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.9  #34

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 854.47
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75

Power Ratings Matchup
Wake Forest: 6.46   NC State: 9.66

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Wake Forest: 5.7   NC State: 4.8




NC State's Power Ratings
NC State's Power Rating: 9.66  #27
NC State's Offense Rating: 18.15  #21
NC State's Defense Rating: 13.63  #42
2026 Talent Rating: 830.00  #42
Blue Chip Ratio: 10  #39
NC State's 2026 Expected Record: 7.4 - 5.6
NC State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 4.8  #55
NC State's Offense SP+ Rating: 31.4  #45
NC State's Defense SP+ Rating: 25.5  #64

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 854.47
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75


Wake Forest Scoring
Offense: 28.1 PPG
Offense on Road: 24.8
Defense: 22.1 PPG
Defense on Road: 27.4

Wake Forest's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
NC State 29
Wake Forest 25

Projected Total Points: 54
NC State Scoring
Offense: 30.2 PPG
Offense at Home: 35.3
Defense: 27.2 PPG
Defense at Home: 21

NC State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202509/11Wake Forest24NC State34NC State -7.5NC State52.5Over
202410/05NC State30Wake Forest34NC State -4Wake Forest52.5Over
202311/11Wake Forest6NC State26Wake Forest -0.5NC State42.5Under
202211/05NC State30Wake Forest21Wake Forest -3NC State54.0Under
202111/13Wake Forest45NC State42Wake Forest -1Wake Forest65.0Over
202009/19NC State45Wake Forest42Wake Forest -2NC State54.0Over
201911/02Wake Forest44NC State10Wake Forest -7.5Wake Forest60.0Under
201811/08NC State23Wake Forest27NC State -17Wake Forest69.0Under
201711/18Wake Forest30NC State24Wake Forest -3Wake Forest62.0Under
201610/01NC State33Wake Forest16NC State -9NC State48.0Over
201510/24Wake Forest17NC State35NC State -8.5NC State43.5Over
201411/15NC State42Wake Forest13NC State -12NC State0
201310/05Wake Forest28NC State13NC State -8Wake Forest0
201211/10NC State37Wake Forest6
201109/10Wake Forest34NC State27
201011/13NC State38Wake Forest3
200910/03Wake Forest30NC State24
200811/15NC State21Wake Forest17
200711/17Wake Forest38NC State18
200610/14NC State23Wake Forest25
200510/22Wake Forest27NC State19
200410/02NC State27Wake Forest21
200309/06Wake Forest38NC State24
200209/14NC State32Wake Forest13
200110/06Wake Forest14NC State17
200011/24NC State32Wake Forest14
TeamWinsCoversO/U
NC State1476 Overs
Wake Forest1265 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams19 - 78 - 55 - 33 - 2
Road Teams7 - 195 - 82 - 33 - 5

(#36) WAKE at (#27) NCST
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatWAKENCST
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #36 #27
SP+SP+ #52 #55
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #34 #42
Blue ChipsBC% #65 #39
Wake Forest on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
WAKE OffNCST Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #112 #39
ExplosiveExp #5 #134
PPAPPA #82 #102
PowerPwr #80 #42
SP+SP+ #70 #64
Pts POPPO #113 #72
HavocHav #70 #86
Wake Forest Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
WAKE OffNCST Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #100 #19
Run ExplRExp #11 #124
PPAExp #67 #80
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #101 #64
Stuff RateStuff #62 #65
TackleTak - NR
Wake Forest Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
WAKE OffNCST Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #115 #55
Pass ExplPExl #12 #117
PPAExp #69 #90
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #71 #109
DB HavocDB #78 #46
NC State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCatNCST OffWAKE Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #50 #8
ExplosiveExp #13 #43
PPAPPA #20 #6
PowerPwr #21 #16
SP+SP+ #45 #34
Pts POPPO #8 #31
HavocHav #74 #21
NC State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
NCST OffWAKE Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #64 #12
Run ExplRExp #19 #27
PPAExp #33 #10
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #68 #9
Stuff RateStuff #112 #4
TackleTak - NR
NC State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCatNCST OffWAKE Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #44 #7
Pass ExplPExl #33 #56
PPAExp #25 #12
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #98 #11
DB HavocDB #51 #62
Program Comparison
NCST 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg P4

WAKE 5 Year Profile: Improving Top G5
'26 Profile: Up to Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Carter-Finley Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
NC State beat Wake Forest last year (34-24)
Wake Forest beat NC State in 2024 (34-30)
NC State beat Wake Forest in 2023 (26-6)

  
WAKE's OC Rob Ezell (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Giovanni Lopez17026165%17471056.7
Wondame Davis Jr. (Tr)010%0000.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Ty Clark III7532334.315
Giovanni Lopez8613331.517
KD Daniels (Tr)2812014.316
JaMario Clements226302.99
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Carlos Hernandez40611315.393
Wondame Davis Jr. (Tr)25604624.275
Drayden Dickmann (Tr)3732338.746
Ty Clark III17209112.362

View Wake Forest's Full Roster

WAKE's DC Scottie Hazelton (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Davaughn Patterson804049
Aiden Hall738023
Langston Hardy6515790
Quincy Bryant572010
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Langston Hardy6515790
Gabe Kirschke379540
Dallas Afalava336481
Bernard Causey III (Tr)192106
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Davaughn Patterson804049
Bernard Causey III (Tr)192106
Braylon Johnson381114

NCST's OC Kurt Roper (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
CJ Bailey27339769%31052597.8
Will Wilson3560%16013.2
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jayden Scott10659545.669
Davion Gause (Tr)6125834.225
CJ Bailey8921562.430
Will Wilson43146103.416
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Victor Snow (Tr)62815813.175
Davion Dozier (Tr)20448522.468
Teddy Hoffmann25349314.055
Keenan Jackson28281210.033

View NC State's Full Roster

NCST's DC D. J. Eliot (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Asaad Brown Jr.640002
King Mack (Tr)581113
Ronnie Royal III492001
Jackson Vick452006
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Harvey Dyson III3110701
Chase Bond116220
Joseph Adedire62100
King Mack (Tr)581113
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jackson Vick452006
Brian Nelson II291006
King Mack (Tr)581113