NC State is back in action after a disappointing second half against East Carolina, a performance that left the Wolfpack still needing to prove that this season will be different. Coach Dave Doeren said in the offseason that State “left a lot of meat on the bone” in 2024, and his team squandered plenty in its 2025 opener as well.
Heading into Week 2, NC State is just a three-point favorite over Virginia—a surprisingly narrow margin considering SP+ had the teams separated by 10-11 points at the start of the season. If State and UVA are truly that close on a neutral field, it could be a concerning sign for the rest of NC State’s schedule.
Of course, it’s possible the Cavaliers are on the rise; they dominated Coastal Carolina 48-7 on Saturday night. With Tim Beck seemingly fast-tracking the CCU program toward the bottom of FBS, though, the significance of that win is somewhat unclear.
Still, UVA looks like a team with more offensive bite and has shown efficiency in the passing game. Meanwhile, NC State’s defense, which allowed 10 explosive plays against ECU, will need to tighten up quickly if the Wolfpack hopes to stay competitive.
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