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2026 FSU Schedule Preview: NC State Wolfpack
2026 FSU Schedule Preview: NC State Wolfpack
I probably don’t need to remind you how NC State’s Carter-Finley Stadium has been a bit of a house of horrors for the Florida State football team historically.
The good news for the 2026 Seminoles, though, is that they’re not playing at NC State this year, instead hosting the Wolfpack for their ACC finale and final pre-Florida tune-up.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt’ll be a homecoming of sorts for the Seminoles after consecutive road games at Boston College and Pittsburgh. And while FSU has lost two of its last three at home against NC State, it has a 16-6 home record in the series and has traditionally fared well in home games against the Wolfpack.
But the reality of the situation is who knows what this Florida State team — and the rest of the ACC — will look like by the time this game rolls around in late November?
Florida State vs. NC State Wolfpack
Date: Saturday, Nov. 21, TBD
Location: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida
Previous matchup: NC State won 21-11 exactly one year before this game on Nov. 21, 2025 in Raleigh
All-time series: FSU leads 27-17 but NC State has won four straight, with the last win for the Seminoles coming in 2019
NC State Wolfpack: 2026 Team Preview
2025 record: 8-5 (4-4 in ACC)
Two things to know:
The ultimate good but not good enough program in the ACC, NC State has won eight-plus games in five of the last six seasons and eight times in Dave Doeren’s 13 seasons as head coach. But somehow, the Wolfpack have never made an ACC Championship Game. It seems unlikely this will be the team to break that trend after starting running back Hollywood Smothers (Texas), standout receiver Noah Rogers (Alabama) and Terrell Anderson (USC) and veteran offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak (South Carolina) all transferred out of the program this offseason to join SEC or Big Ten teams.
In a statement that is even more true for NC State than it is Florida State, the defense needs to take a step forward under its second-year coordinator on that side of the ball. D.J. Eliot’s unit ranked 112th nationally in yards per play allowed (6.06), 101st in yards per pass attempt allowed (7.6), tied for 100th in passing touchdowns allowed (22) and 82nd in scoring defense (27.2 ppg) last season. Still, they managed to stifle FSU’s offense, so there is precedent in this matchup.
QB CJ Bailey: This team will go as Bailey does. He did ok as a true freshman in 2024 when he was thrown into the deep end (2,413 passing yards, 17 TDs, 10 interceptions) but took a notable step forward in Year 2 last fall, throwing for 3,105 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He’s completed 67.1% of his passes through two years, and has also rushed for 494 yards and 11 touchdowns. While Bailey was tied to hometown Miami as a potential portal destination this offseason, he shut that talk down, turning down what would have likely been more money there or elsewhere to run it back in Raleigh.
WR Victor Snow: With NC State losing many of its top receivers to more prominent schools, it similarly elevated a lower-level player, bringing Buffalo transfer Victor Snow into the fold. He’s only 5-foot-8 but what he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in athleticism. He was quite productive the last two seasons at Buffalo, amassing 1,466 yards and 14 touchdowns while also rushing for 152 yards and four scores. With star tight end Justin Joly now in the NFL, Snow is being brought in to become a featured and consistent target for Bailey.
OLB Harvey Dyson III: While that NC State defense wasn’t great statistically a year ago, it also has quite a few places to replace. Notable, it loses its top six players in sacks who accounted for 17 of the team’s 20.5 sacks last season. Enter a productive Tulane transfer in Dyson who will be tasked with filling that pass-rush void. He led a Tulane team which made the College Football Playoff in sacks (eight) and tackles for loss (11.5). It’s unclear if he had the option to follow former coach Jon Sumrall to Florida or not, but he landed in Raleigh, where he’ll take on a critical role for his final year of eligibility.
Florida State vs. NC State Wolfpack: Game preview, predictions
Best Case
FSU’s defensive line is better than expected and is able to pressure Bailey, while NC State’s defense doesn’t improve. FSU glides to a relatively easy 35-17 win.
On paper, these teams feel fairly even, as can be said for much of the ACC’s middle tier. A back-and-forth battle of body blows comes down to the final minutes, but FSU is able to emerge on top behind a home crowd that is still moderately invested and a strong passing game.
Mike Norvell has been fired, as has Tony White. Bailey stunts on the Seminoles in a comfortable win which makes a lot of fans in attendance question how badly they want to come back to Doak six days later to see the FSU-Florida game.
2026 FSU football schedule
Saturday, Aug. 29: New Mexico State Aggies (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee) | 7:00 p.m. (The CW)
Monday, Sep. 7: SMU Mustangs (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee) | 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Saturday, Sep. 19: Alabama Crimson Tide (Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala.) | 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Saturday, Sep. 26: Central Arkansas Bears (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
Saturday, Oct. 3: Virginia Cavaliers (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
Friday, Oct. 9: Louisville Cardinals (Cardinal Stadium, Louisville, Ky.) | 7:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Saturday, Oct. 17: Miami Hurricanes (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.)
Saturday, Oct. 31: Clemson Tigers (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
Saturday, Nov. 7: Boston College Eagles (Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, Mass.)
Friday, Nov. 13: Pitt Panthers (Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pa.) | 7:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Saturday, Nov. 21: NC State Wolfpack (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
Friday, Nov. 27: Florida Gators (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee) | 3:30 p.m. (ABC)