At 9:30 a.m. PT, we very well could witness a matchup that will be looked back on for the remainder of the season when putting together the puzzle of who will play in the ACC Championship Game on December 5th. As of the preseason Top 25, both teams only play one team each that is currently ranked, and both teams avoid Miami. So, let's break down this underrated, crucial matchup.
NC State Wolfpack
First, for the Wolfpack, they bring back junior quarterback CJ Bailey, who in 2025 threw for 3,105 yards and 25 touchdowns with nine interceptions, paired with 215 yards and six touchdowns using his feet. They also bring back their RB2 from last season, Jayden Scott, who is poised for a good season after rushing for 595 yards and four touchdowns in his sophomore year.
Virginia Cavaliers
Meanwhile, for the Cavaliers, they look to build on what was an 11-win season that, with a win in the ACC Championship Game, would have been a College Football Playoff berth. Under center for Virginia will be Beau Pribula. Pribula is on his third team after taking stops in the Big Ten with Penn State and then the SEC with Missouri in 2025. In 10 games in 2025, Pribula threw for 1,941 yards with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Though his stats don't jump off the screen, when watching him play, there is no doubt that the talent is there for the Cavaliers.
The X-Factors & Prediction
The difference in this game will be a combo of two things, however:
Head Coach Tony Elliott: Every year Elliott has been with Virginia, they have had a better record than the previous season — meaning that if this holds true, the Cavaliers are destined for the CFP.
Home-Field Advantage: This game will be played at the University of Virginia, and coming off such a successful year, Scott Stadium is going to be rocking.
For these reasons, I am picking the Cavaliers to outlast the Wolfpack.
The Pick
Final Score: Virginia 23, NC State 21.
What Actually Happened
Final Score: Virginia 34, NC State 8. The Cavaliers didn't just cover — they ran away with it behind the home crowd Tony Elliott and company were counting on. Marked as a win in the archive.