Virginia vs NC State: Wolfpack Remain Favorites As Kickoff Nears

Virginia started the season off with a resounding win over Coastal Carolina last week and now faces a much bigger test on the road against NC State. The Wolfpack is, of course, a member of the ACC, but this game does not count in the conference standings. It will be a crucial test for both teams, and both programs could use a win today.

Wolfpack remain favorites

Aug 30, 2025; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers running back Harrison Waylee (21) carries the ball as Coastal Carolina Chanticleers cornerback Myles Mooyoung (8) defends during the second half at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Virginia began the week as an underdog, and they are going to close it that way. According to Fanduel Sportsbook, NC State is now a 3.5-point favorite over Virginia, and the over/under is set at 54.5.

Virginia and NC State is going to be one of the main games to watch this Saturday and here is how you can do just that:

Date: Saturday, Sept. 6
Time: Noon
Television: ESPN2 (Bob Wischusen, Sam Acho, Taylor Davis)
Radio: Virginia Sports Radio Network, Virginia Sports Mobile App, TuneIn App, SiriusXM Channel 381

What does SP+ think will happen?

NC State is favored by the oddsmakers in this game and SP+ thinks the Wolfpack is going to win as well, but not by much. The Wolfpack are projected to win 28-26 and SP+ gives NC State a 55% chance to win this game.

What is SP+? Here is how ESPN analyst Bill Connelly describes it:

"In a single sentence, it's a tempo- and opponent-adjusted measure of college football efficiency. I created the system at Football Outsiders in 2008, and as my experience with both college football and its stats has grown, I have made quite a few tweaks to the system.

SP+ is indeed intended to be predictive and forward-facing. It is not a résumé ranking that gives credit for big wins or particularly brave scheduling -- no good predictive system is. It is simply a measure of the most sustainable and predictable aspects of football. If you're lucky or unimpressive in a win, your rating will probably fall. If you're strong and unlucky in a loss, it will probably rise."

NC State is a tough opponent to play, especially in Raleigh, and Virginia head coach Tony Elliott has a lot of respect for Dave Doeren's team:

"Right, the takeaways were discipline. You got to stay disciplined. You're playing against a very good opponent, especially at the end of the game. You got to finish it the right way. And very similar, they're a physical football team, want to run the football. They got an even more dynamic quarterback.

Now they're very similar to what they've always been in the trenches. They're big up front athletic linebackers can run and then they got athletes in the secondary. So it's a typical NC State team. It fits coach (Dave) Doeren's identity and how they approach it. He's a defensive guy and he wants to wants to win up front with the defensive line be physical and then offensively, you know, he wants a he wants an offense that can that can line up put their hand in the dirt and come after you. So that's what you see out of them.

Some really, really good skill guys, too, that can make you, that force you to defend the field vertically and horizontally."

Virginia's defense is going to need to be ready for the Wolfpack offense. NC State has a talented quarterback in CJ Bailey and a talented group of pass catchers. Slowing them down might be the key to the game today.

Virginia has a chance to start the season 2-0 if they can beat the Wolfpack (12:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2).

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Wolfpack remain favorites

What does SP+ think will happen?

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