| MATCHUP | NC State Wolfpack | Virginia Cavaliers |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Spread | +5.5 -105 | -5.5 -115 |
| Moneyline | +180 | -218 |
| Total | Over 53.5 (-105) | Under 53.5 (-115) |
| Where | Nilton Santos Stadium, Rio De Janeiro | |
| When | Saturday, August 29, 2026 | |
| Time | 03:30 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN | |
NC State Wolfpack Betting Preview
The NC State Wolfpack went 8-5 (4-4) last season and they finished tied for seventh in the ACC standings. NC State started the season with a 24-17 win over East Carolina and they followed that up with a 35-31 win over Virginia in week two. The Wolfpack won their first three games of the season, but they lost five of their next seven games, before finishing the season with two straight wins. NC State played Memphis in the Gasparilla Bowl and they won 31-7. The Wolfpack scored 30.2 points per game in 2025, while they allowed 27.2 points against per game on defense.This year, NC State will have CJ Bailey back at the quarterback spot and the offensive line should be better than last year. The Wolfpack did lose their leading rusher and their top five receivers are also gone, so their is plenty of production to replace. On defense, NC State needs to be a lot better than 2025, but they do have a lot of new faces from the portal. The defense should be improved and Bailey is a stud at QB, so NC State should have another solid year.
Virginia Cavaliers Betting Preview
The Virginia Cavaliers went 11-3 (7-1) last year and they finished first in the ACC standings. Virginia opened the season with a 48-7 win over Coastal Carolina, before dropping that close game to NC State in week two. The Cavaliers won the next seven games, before dropping one to Wake Forest and beating Duke and Va Tech to finish the regular season. Virginia lost to Duke by a score of 27-20 in the ACC Title game, before defeating Missouri in the Gator Bowl by a score of 13-7. UVA scored 30.8 points per game in 2025, while they allowed 19.6 points against per game on defense.This season, Virginia will have Beau Pribula starting at quarterback and they have Eli Holstein as a backup. The Cavaliers have a very good offensive line and the receivers have talent, but the running backs could be an issue early in the season. On defense, Virginia was very good in 2025 and they should be geared up for another good year. The secondary is probably the biggest question mark, but they should be fine.
Why the Virginia Cavaliers will win
- Virginia has won each of its last eight season openers as a favorite.
- NC State has lost each of its last three road games against conference opponents.
- NC State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four season openers.
- Virginia has covered the spread in six of its last seven home openers as a favorite.
Why the NC State Wolfpack will win
- NC State has won 12 of its last 13 season openers.
- Virginia has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five games as a favorite against teams from North Carolina.
- NC State has covered the spread in four of its last five games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of NC State’s last six games in August have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of Virginia’s last eight games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Virginia ranked 127th among FBS teams for Q4 points per game last season (4.4).
- Virginia ranked 13th among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game last season (3.8).
- NC State ranked 16th among FBS teams for H1 points per game last season (18.6).
- NC State ranked 18th among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage against last season (40.9).