Virginia at Wake Forest - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Virginia Cavaliers at Wake Forest Demon Deacons

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Saturday, October 31st 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
BB&T Field - Winston-Salem, NC  (ACC)

 
Cavaliers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Tony Elliott (22 - 26)
Avg Score : 31 - 20 (29 - 23 on Road)
Record Prediction: 9 - 3 (#14)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 4) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 5)
WAKE coming off BYE
UVA is playing their 9th straight game
Our Line: Virginia -1  (SP+ UVA -5.5)
Projected Score: UVA: 26 - WAKE: 25 (50)
UVA Win prob: 48% | Cover: 46%
UVA Travel: 163 miles
Demon Deacons (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Jake Dickert (9 - 4)
Avg Score : 28 - 22 (28 - 17 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7.2 - 4.8 (#43)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 5) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 3)
 
Virginia's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/29 Virginia vs NC State-5
Sat 9/12 Virginia vs Norfolk State-34.5
Sat 9/19 Virginia at West Virginia-8.5
Sat 9/26 Virginia vs Delaware-22.5
Sat 10/3 Virginia at Florida State-0.5
Sat 10/10 Virginia vs Syracuse-18.5
Sat 10/17 Virginia at SMU+5.5
Fri 10/23 Virginia vs Duke-6.5
Sat 10/31 Virginia at Wake Forest-1
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/14 Virginia vs California-10.5
Sat 11/21 Virginia vs North Carolina-14
Sat 11/28 Virginia at Virginia Tech-9

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Virginia's Schedule
Wake Forest's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3 Wake Forest vs Akron-23
Sat 9/12 Wake Forest at Purdue-8
Fri 9/18 Wake Forest vs Miami+14.5
Sat 9/26 Wake Forest at Louisville+7.5
Sat 10/3 Wake Forest vs Stanford-15
Sat 10/10 Wake Forest at NC State+3.5
Sat 10/17 Wake Forest at California-2
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31 Wake Forest vs Virginia+1
Sat 11/7 Wake Forest vs Merrimack-31
Sat 11/14 Wake Forest at SMU+9
Sat 11/21 Wake Forest at Georgia Tech+4
Sat 11/28 Wake Forest vs Duke-3

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 5, Avg 2, Bad 1, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 5, Avg 2, Bad 1, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Wake Forest'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
UVA#64 (.18)42% (82)30.844% (63)3.04 (53)18041% (79)2393.56 (82)#17 (.06)37% (20)19.639% (30)37% (22)3.01 (17)44.111.4
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
 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
UVA0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
WAKE0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
UVA Offense1430.828.641.6%3.561224191802394.650%49%44%41%14%.18
WAKE Defense1322.117.335.1%3.241.2 - - - - - 47%51%37%33%18%.03
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
UVA Defense1419.623.237.4%3.011.4 - - - - - 51%47%39%37%18%.06
WAKE Offense1328.128.338.4%3.231.6193941562384.550%49%40%37%16%.15

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
Virginia1432:1621.650%47%5.344.111.44.82.1330.7
Wake Forest1329:041940%55%7.469.51.61.27.42.3330.7
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
UVA Offense1450% (66)44% (63)38.9179.94.629 (11).19 (30)3.04 (53)81% (11)8% (23)1.06 (31)
WAKE Defense1347% (34)37% (12) - - - - -.02 (10)2.49 (9)64% (22)12% (11)0.88 (27)
 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
UVA Defense1451% (77)39% (30) - - - - .04 (33)2.75 (42)71% (70)9% (77)0.92 (46)
WAKE Offense1350% (61)40% (100)34.8156.24.523 (49).11 (67)2.79 (101)79% (21)9% (71)1.12 (11)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
UVA Offense1449% (71)41% (79)22.535.1239.16.810.618 (50)10 (60).24 (76)1.5 (73)32% (85)33% (34).36 (46)6% (65)1.9 (114)
WAKE Defense1351% (102)33% (7) - - - - - - 4 (100).1 (12)1.5 (56)36% (10)25% (13).13 (13)6% (62)2 (60)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
UVA Defense1447% (53)37% (22) - - - - - - 14 (38).15 (24)1.5 (44)32% (59)23% (3).11 (8)9% (5)1.9 (25)
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)

Virginia's Power Ratings
Virginia's Power Rating: 11.13  #34
Virginia's Offense Rating: 15.05  #57
Virginia's Defense Rating: 8.92  #28
2026 Talent Rating: 920.00  #29
Blue Chip Ratio: 2%  #73
Virginia's 2026 Expected Record: 9.0 - 3.0
Virginia's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 11.1  #31
Virginia's Offense SP+ Rating: 28.8  #56
Virginia's Defense SP+ Rating: 18.1  #19

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 905.41
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9

Power Ratings Matchup
Virginia: 11.13   Wake Forest: 10.055

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Virginia: 11.1   Wake Forest: 5.7




Wake Forest's Power Ratings
Wake Forest's Power Rating: 10.055  #39
Wake Forest's Offense Rating: 12.65  #71
Wake Forest's Defense Rating: 8.24  #24
2026 Talent Rating: 896.00  #35
Blue Chip Ratio: 1  #88
Wake Forest's 2026 Expected Record: 7.2 - 4.8
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 905.41
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9


Virginia Scoring
Offense: 30.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 28.6
Defense: 19.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 23.2

Virginia'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
Virginia 26
Wake Forest 25

Projected Total Points: 50
Wake Forest Scoring
Offense: 28.1 PPG
Offense at Home: 28.3
Defense: 22.1 PPG
Defense at Home: 17.3

Wake Forest'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
202511/08Virginia9Wake Forest16Virginia -7Wake Forest48.5Under
202409/07Wake Forest30Virginia31Virginia -1.5Wake Forest55.5Over
202109/24Virginia17Wake Forest37Virginia -3.5Wake Forest71.0Under
202010/17Wake Forest40Virginia23Wake Forest -2.5Wake Forest57.5Over
201611/05Wake Forest27Virginia20Wake Forest -2.5Wake Forest45.0Over
201210/20Virginia10Wake Forest16
200811/08Wake Forest28Virginia17
200711/03Virginia17Wake Forest16
200309/27Virginia27Wake Forest24
200209/28Wake Forest34Virginia38
200111/03Virginia30Wake Forest34
200009/29Wake Forest10Virginia27
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Wake Forest753 Overs
Virginia502 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams5 - 73 - 22 - 21 - 0
Road Teams7 - 52 - 30 - 12 - 2

(#34) UVA at (#39) WAKE
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatUVAWAKE
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #34 #39
SP+SP+ #31 #52
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #29 #35
Blue ChipsBC% #73 #88
Virginia Notes
(2/15) Vibes: Hopeful, '25 was big boost, want more
(2/6) WR Edrine (#2 LY) arrested, no longer w team
(2/6) QB Pribula (Miz) is good, mobile, rec from injury
(2/6) RB 3 portals, good unit w depth & rotation
(2/6) WR counting on 3 portals & depth w limited exp
(2/6) OL good LY & has 3 back and decent depth
(2/6) DL added 7 portals, lots of G5 risers. Unclear
(2/6) LB corp strong that can go at least 6 deep
(2/6) CB & Saf each 4 portal adds. CB looks like big ?
(2/4) Overall talent #'s back to normal after '25 jump
(2/2) HC Elliott saved job LY, but now has to rebuild
Virginia Injury Report
Wake Forest Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Great, Dickert a home run hire & 1st year
(2/4) QB Lopez was G5 electric, but meh at NC in '25
(2/4) RB has pieces but rotation from 2 portals, depth
(2/4) WR 6 portals, 4 have good exp, should be solid
(2/4) OL is counting on G5 risers, but good exp & prod
(2/4) DL solid unit w exp, production & depth.
(2/4) LB another solid unit w exp, prod & depth
(2/4) CBs have significant ?, S real solid with depth
(2/4) Good staff, good looking Def. Can Lopez find it?
Wake Forest Injury Report
Virginia on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
UVA OffWAKE Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #82 #8
ExplosiveExp #43 #43
PPAPPA #64 #6
PowerPwr #57 #24
SP+SP+ #56 #34
Pts POPPO #82 #31
HavocHav #39 #21
Virginia Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
UVA OffWAKE Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #63 #12
Run ExplRExp #31 #27
PPAExp #30 #10
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #53 #9
Stuff RateStuff #32 #4
TackleTak - NR
Virginia Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
UVA OffWAKE Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #79 #7
Pass ExplPExl #73 #56
PPAExp #76 #12
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #23 #11
DB HavocDB #65 #62
Wake Forest on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatWAKE OffUVA Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #112 #20
ExplosiveExp #5 #35
PPAPPA #82 #17
PowerPwr #71 #28
SP+SP+ #70 #19
Pts POPPO #113 #17
HavocHav #70 #23
Wake Forest Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
WAKE OffUVA Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #100 #30
Run ExplRExp #11 #46
PPAExp #67 #33
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #101 #42
Stuff RateStuff #62 #68
TackleTak - NR
Wake Forest Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatWAKE OffUVA Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #115 #22
Pass ExplPExl #12 #44
PPAExp #69 #24
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #71 #77
DB HavocDB #78 #5
Program Comparison
WAKE 5 Year Profile: Improving Top G5
'26 Profile: Up to Below Avg P4

UVA 5 Year Profile: Improving Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Up to Average P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in BB&T Field
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Wake Forest beat Virginia last year (16-9)
Virginia beat Wake Forest in 2024 (31-30)

  
UVA's OC Des Kitchings (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Beau Pribula (Tr)18227067%19461197.2
Eli Holstein (Tr)7712562%10811268.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jekail Middlebrook (Tr)14075245.472
Solomon Beebe (Tr)5633866.081
Beau Pribula (Tr)9529763.149
Peyton Lewis (Tr)7029074.132
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jacquon Gibson (Tr)6361609.850
Dashawn Martin33507415.475
Jekail Middlebrook (Tr)40412310.348
Tyson Davis (Tr)25323212.936

View Virginia's Full Roster

UVA's DC John Rudzinski (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaylen Jones (Tr)665001
Kamren Robinson644221
Jalen McNair (Tr)502014
Maddox Marcellus493211
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zion Wilson (Tr)4210641
Nnanna Anyanwu (Tr)217541
Fisher Camac446424
Jason Hammond333340
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Donavon Platt342006
Jalen McNair (Tr)502014
Fisher Camac446424

WAKE's OC Rob Ezell (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Giovanni Lopez17026165%17471056.7
Steele Pizzella010%0000.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Sawyer Seidl (Tr)188897134.841
Ty Clark III7532334.315
Giovanni Lopez8613331.517
KD Daniels (Tr)2812014.316
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
Frank Cusano452121
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Langston Hardy6515790
Gabe Kirschke379540
Dallas Afalava336481
Bernard Causey III (Tr)192106
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Davaughn Patterson804049
Bernard Causey III (Tr)192106
Brian Blades260005