2026 NC State Football Preview
Jake Wimberly
Abby Boyd Contributing-
What’s to like:
NC State continues to benefit from one of the ACC's more stable coaching staffs. The Wolfpack have built a program that consistently plays disciplined football, avoids costly mistakes, and remains competitive throughout conference play. That consistency has allowed NC State to remain a difficult opponent regardless of personnel changes from year to year.
The defensive front should once again be one of the team's biggest strengths. NC State has consistently developed players along the line of scrimmage, and that group gives the defense a chance to control games against both the run and the pass. Combined with the program's track record of player development, the Wolfpack have a solid foundation entering another season.
What’s not to like:
The offense still needs to create more explosive plays. NC State has often relied on long drives to move the football, but generating more chunk plays would make the offense much more efficient and put additional pressure on opposing defenses.
The Wolfpack also need to do a better job finishing close games. While NC State has consistently remained competitive, turning those close contests into victories is often what separates good teams from conference contenders. Finding more production from the skill positions would help the offense become more consistent throughout the season.
What does the Hourglass say?
NC State- ACC (11-1)
Power ranking 60.5.
2026 NC State Analytics
National recruiting rating (three year metric): #29- outside the boundary of a National Championship Roster.
National Coaching Ranking:
Dave Doeren- 28th in Power 5 and 6th in the ACC.
2026 coaching value= 24.4 (average 2026 Power 5 coaching value=21.93) Dave Doeren is ranked higher of the pack for coaches in the Power 5.
Quarterback Play: CJ Bailey- ranked 29th in the Power 4, 4th in the ACC; 2026 QB value= 35.1 (Power 4 average- 26.43).
Impact Ball Catcher Metric: NC State has an Impact Ball Catcher Metric of 2. This puts the Wolfpack at the lower tier for the ACC in this metric.
Final Thoughts:
NC State has built a reputation for playing disciplined football, and that should continue in 2026. The Wolfpack's defensive front remains one of the team's biggest strengths, but generating more explosive plays offensively will be important if they hope to compete with the conference's top programs. Another competitive season appears well within reach.
2026 Schedule analysis:
Projected Hourglass W/L record: Games in red denote games that could be a one possession game or even a different outcome than projection.
8/29/26 At Virginia- Win
9/11/26 Richmond- Win
9/19/26 At Vanderbilt- Win
9/26/26 App State- Win
10/3/26 Louisville- Win
10/10/26 Wake Forest- Win
10/23/26 At Stanford- Win
10/31/26 California- Win
11/7/26 Duke- Win
11/14/26 Syracuse- Win
11/21/26 At Florida State- Loss
11/28/26 At North Carolina- Win
