NC State vs. Virginia Prediction, Odds and Key Players to Watch for College Football Week 0

Virginia is a 5.5-point favorite against NC State in Week 0 of the 2026 College Football season. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

College football is back!

Week 0 is set to begin this Saturday with eight games set to take place across the country, a perfect appetizer before the full season gets underway in Week 1. One of the more fascinating games set to take place on Saturday is an ACC showdown between the NC State Wolfpack and the Virginia Cavaliers.

Virginia won the regular-season title last year, but fell short in the conference championship game against Duke. Do they have what it takes to return to being a top team in the ACC?

Let's dive into the odds and my best bet for this Week 0 showdown.

NC State vs. Virginia Odds, Spread, and Total

Odds via Caesars Sportsbook

Spread

• NC State +5.5 (-108)
• Virginia -5.5 (-112)

Moneyline

• NC State +183
• Virginia -218

Total

• OVER 53.5 (-112)
• UNDER 53.5 (-108)

NC State vs. Virginia How to Watch

• Date: Saturday, August 29
• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
• Venue: Scott Stadium
• How to Watch (TV): ESPN
• NC State record: 0-0
• Virginia record: 0-0

NC State vs. Virginia betting Trends

• NC State is 5-3 against the spread in its last eight games vs. Virginia
• The UNDER is 5-3 in the last eight games between these two teams
• Virginia is 6-4 against the spread in its last 10 games
• The UNDER is 9-1 in Virginia's last 10 games
• NC State is 5-5 against the spread in its last 10 games
• The OVER is 5-5 in NC State's last 10 games

NC State vs. Virginia Key Player to Watch

• Beau Pribula, QB - Virginia Cavaliers

Virginia hit the transfer portal this offseason, looking for a quarterback to lead them this season. They decided on Beau Pribula, the former Penn State and Missouri quarterback. Last season, Pribula completed 67.4% of passes for 1,941 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions for the Tigers. His biggest asset is his legs, as he rushed for 297 yards and six touchdowns last season, but he'll have to improve his throwing if Virginia wants to get back to being an ACC contender.

NC State vs. Virginia Prediction and Best Bet

Instead of betting on a side in this game, I'm going to look toward the total and bet the UNDER. I think the number is a bit inflated based on last year's offensive shootout between these two teams, which ended 35-31 in favor of NC State.

Virginia was carried by their defense last year, and they are returning 62% of their production from 2025, so I expect their defense to once again be the highlight of the team. With that being said, I need to see some improved decision-making from their new quarterback, Pribula, before I can trust their offense.

I'm going to trust both defenses in this game and bet the UNDER.

Pick: UNDER 53.5 (-108) via Caesars

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