CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA - OCTOBER 23: Walker Eget #2 of the Duke Blue Devils throws the ball during a game between the Virginia Cavaliers and the Duke Blue Devils at Scott Stadium on October 23, 2026 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Roger Wimmer/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images J. Bob Green · SB Nation Thu, November 5, 2026 at 12:12 PM UTC · 5 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement D uke (6-2, 3-2) travels to Raleigh to face N.C. State (4-4, 2-3) Saturday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. EST. Television coverage will be provided on the CW Network. Duke opened as a 5.5-point favorite. Duke is coming off a 47-2 beatdown of Boston College in their last game, while N.C. State defeated California 31-10 in their last outing.
The teams have faced two common opponents this season. Duke beat Stanford 35-7 and Virginia 19-16, while N.C. State lost to Stanford 31-28 and Virginia 34-8.
After the loss to Stanford, the Wolfpack fired Head Coach Dave Doeren. Duke Head Coach Manny Diaz was asked how an interim coach changes Duke's game preparation. Diaz responded, "You just have to believe what you see on film. When a team is two months into a season, their identity is pretty much formed. There are things they believe in and things their kids can do really, really well. There are a lot of guys on that staff that we still have a lot of respect for and know personally. It's really just how you play. Can you follow your rules? Can you play your techniques and fundamentals well? Those are the things that win in November."
Special Teams Coordinator and Running Backs Coach Todd Goebbel is the Wolfpack's interim coach.
Injury Report: Safety Andrew Pellicciotta is listed as probable. Cornerback Kyon Loud, offensive lineman Bradley Smith and tight end Jeremiah Hasley are questionable. Wide receiver Kavon Simmons is out.
For N.C. State, running back Jayden Scott and tight end Preston Douglas are questionable. Quarterback Will Wilson and defensive end Joseph Adedire are probable.
Offense: The Wolfpack offense is centered around talented quarterback C.J. Bailey. Bailey has completed 156 of 244 (63.9%) of his pass attempts for 1,955 yards with 13 touchdowns against four interceptions. He has been sacked 12 times for 94 yards, and has rushed 63 times for 178 yards and two touchdowns.
Duke Defensive Coordinator Jonathan Patke on Bailey: "The quarterback knows where to go with the ball, he's smart, he's played a lot of football and he can get out of trouble, he can win with his feet. And not only win with his feet running but he wants to win with his feet and he can push it down the field as well, still looking for guys to get open."
In short yardage situations, the Wolfpack like to insert backup quarterback Will Wilson who is a power runner. Wilson has rushed 46 times for 179 yards and eight touchdowns. The two quarterbacks have combined for 10 rushing touchdowns so they must be accounted for in the Red Zone.
Statistically, N.C. State averages 249.4 passing and 158.9 rushing yards per game, which ranks 10th and 9th in the Atlantic Coast Conference respectively.
The Wolfpack's leading receiver is wideout Keenan Jackson who has 30 receptions for 456 yards and six touchdowns. Jackson has nice size at 6'3" and 194 pounds. Tight end Preston Douglas has 26 receptions for 304 yards and one touchdown. Douglas is listed as questionable on this week's initial injury report.
Running back Jayden Scott has missed the past two games with an injury and his status is questionable this week against Duke. He has rushed 62 times for 358 yards and four touchdowns. Davion Gause has rushed 87 times for 352 yards and two touchdowns.
The Duke defense has successfully defended mobile quarterbacks in 2026, including Mason McKenzie and Beau Pribula the past two weeks. The Blue Devils must contain Bailey on Saturday so another strong effort from the defensive line is a must for Duke to prevent explosive plays and win in Raleigh.
Players to Watch: C.J. Bailey, Jayden Scott, Keenan Jackson
Defense: N.C. State is tough to run the ball on. The Wolfpack allow only 131 rushing yards per game, while yielding 235.1 passing yards per game. Duke must achieve success passing downfield in order to open up run lanes for Nate Sheppard.
Duke Offensive Coordinator Jonathan Brewer on the State defense, "They're playing free on defense, the guys are letting it rip. They're good up front, which challenges your offensive line. Their front seven is very talented, both defensive ends are really good. That's the key. They don't have to pressure a lot because they can get a lot of pass rush generated with their four defensive linemen and they can stuff the run with those guys. They are playing with a lot of energy."
Linebacker Popo Aguirre leads the Wolfpack with 76 tackles, linebacker Elijah Satchell has recorded four sacks and cornerback Jaren Sensabaugh has intercepted two passes.
It might sound like a broken record, but offensive balance will be key for Duke in attacking the N.C. State defense. Run to set up the pass, pass to set up the run. It's going to take success with both to put points on the scoreboard.
Players to Watch: Popo Aguirre, Josiah Victor, Chase Bond
Prediction: The Blue Devils extend their winning streak to three games to remain in the conversation for a return trip to Charlotte and the ACC Championship Game. Duke 28, N.C. State 20.
Go to the DBR Boards to find Blue Healer Auctions || Drop us a line
Source: Sports
0 Comments