Louisville vs NC State Prediction: Who Gets Their Season Going?
· Yahoo Sports
NC State has never won the ACC Championship Game. Louisville got there once a few years ago, but it hasn’t won one, either. Both were supposed to be in the mix this season, and it’s still a possibility, but the loser will be in trouble.
Just when it seemed like Louisville was going to be a factor after a win over SMU, it couldn’t come through at home against Wake Forest in a 30-27 loss.
NC State opened the season with a 34-8 loss to Virginia, but it has a super-favorable slate ahead – no Miami or Clemson – and it has to win this first.
Louisville vs NC State: Quick Hits
- Louisville has a short week, facing Florida State next Friday night as the last home game before a run of three road games in four dates.
- NC State starts a wonderful stretch of four home games in five, wieth a week off to go to Stanford in the middle of it all.
- These two haven’t played since 2023, when Louisville won 13-10. The Cardinals are 9-4 all-time.
How To Watch Louisville vs NC State
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV: ACC Network
Location: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC
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Why Louisville Will Win
NC State isn’t generating any defensive pressure. Usually, the Wolfpack are great at getting to the quarterback and making things happen behind the line, but they’ve only come up with four sacks and 13 tackles for loss.
Louisville can do a little of everything with three 300-yard passing games and two games with over 260 rushing yards. If it can control the line, it’ll find a way to move the ball.
Why NC StateWill Win
Louisville star quarterback Lincoln Kienholz is a game-time decision. Either he can’t go, or he’ll gut it out with a leg injury. Either way, NC State should catch a little bit of a break.
The Wolfpack are fine overall, and they should be able to move the ball without a problem on a leaky Cardinal defense. Quarterback CJ Bailey is way overdue for a big performance against a decent team, and he should be able to bomb away at will.
Louisville vs NC State Prediction, Betting Lines
Louisville’s two losses were by three points, and it could’ve and should’ve pulled it out against Ole Miss and Wake Forest. NC State wasn’t close in the 34-8 loss to Virginia, but it had the Vanderbilt game won until that happened.
The Kienholz injury situation and NC State getting this at home will be enough to barely tip the scales, as Bailey has one of his sharpest games of the season.
NC State 31, Louisville 27
Latest Consensus Line: Louisville -3.5, o/u: 57.5
ATS Confidence (out of 5): 1.5
Must See Rating (out of 5): 3.5
Consensus line based on BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.