Syracuse football's 2026 Week 11 opponent: Get to know the NC State Wolfpack

The 2026 Syracuse football season starts to wind down with a road game against the NC State Wolfpack. Last season and the 2023 campaign are the only times the Orange and Wolfpack haven’t crossed paths since 2013, making NC State a familiar opponent. There’s a chance both teams will need to win this game to boost their bowl hopes, giving both sides something to play for. Since we’ve only seen the Wolfpack once in the last three seasons, let’s look at what NC State will look like in 2026.

NC State head coach: Dave Doeren

Most fans should be familiar with Doeren. He’s the second-longest-tenured head coach in the ACC behind Dabo Swinney. He had two successful seasons with Northern Illinois, including that undefeated campaign in 2012 when the Huskies played in the Orange Bowl. Doeren has been at NC State since 2013, as long as Syracuse has been in the ACC. In 13 seasons, Doeren has guided the Wolfpack to 11 bowl games. He’s also won at least eight games in seven of the last nine seasons, which is why he’s one of the league’s longest-tenured coaches.

Last meeting with Syracuse: Syracuse 24, NC State 17 (2024)

During the Orange’s magical 2024 campaign, they eked out a Saturday night win in a raucous Carter-Finley Stadium to improve to 5-1. Syracuse led the whole way, with Kyle McCord throwing for 346 yards and two touchdowns, while LeQuint Allen added 94 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Of course, a 24-7 lead nearly slipped away, as the Wolfpack got two touchdowns to make it a one-score game. But the Orange held on to secure the 24-17 win.

Series history

With the win in 2024, Syracuse has back-to-back wins over NC State after the Wolfpack won seven of the first nine games as ACC foes. NC State also swept a home-and-home series in the late 90s, while also beating Syracuse four times during the 1970s. As a result, NC State has a 13-4 all-time edge over the Orange. However, Doeren and company have just one win in their last three trips to the Dome, including an entertaining 51-41 Syracuse win during the 2018 campaign.

NC State’s 2025 season

The Wolfpack opened the 2025 campaign with consecutive wins over East Carolina, Virginia, and Wake Forest, foreshadowing a promising season ahead. However, things soon took a sharp turn in the other direction, as the Wolfpack lost four of five games, beating only Campbell during that stretch. On the bright side, NC State opened November with an upset over No. 8 Georgia Tech. After a setback against Miami, the Wolfpack beat Florida State and North Carolina to finish the regular season. In the Gasparilla Bowl, NC State blew out Memphis 31-7 to finish the season 8-5.

NC State’s key returning players

The Wolfpack are one of the few ACC teams with a returning starter at quarterback in 2026. Junior CJ Bailey enjoyed a breakout season last year, throwing for over 3,100 yards and 25 touchdowns. If he can take another step forward in his development, Bailey has a chance to be among the ACC’s best quarterbacks, potentially making the Wolfpack a dark horse to reach the ACC Championship Game.

Of course, the supporting cast around Bailey has changed considerably. The Wolfpack lost their top five leaders in receiving yards from last year and will return just two starters on the offensive line. Running back Jayden Scott, who gained 595 yards on the ground as the backup to Hollywood Smothers last year, will step in as the new starter.

On the other side of the ball, the defensive line trio of Joseph Adedire, Josiah Victor, and Isaiah Shirley all have playing experience. However, all three were complementary players in 2025 and will need to step into a bigger role this season. It’s a similar story in the secondary. Cornerbacks Brian Nelson and Jackson Vick are proven commodities. But the depth behind them is largely inexperienced.

NC State’s notable additions

NC State added well over a dozen players in the transfer portal, focusing on a few positions of need. Along the offensive line, East Carolina transfer Jamarion McCrimon and Texas transfer Daniel Cruz will both be expected to step into the starting lineup and plug holes. NC State’s receiving corps has also been heavily influenced by the portal. Miami transfer Joshisa Trader and Appalachian State transfer Davion Dozier are the top additions, although neither has a wealth of experience. Victor Snow is another receiver to watch after two productive seasons playing for Buffalo in the MAC. Also, don’t sleep on true freshman Tyreek Copper as a player who can make an immediate impact.

On defense, NC State focused primarily on the linebacker position. Popo Aguirre is the key player, as he’ll step in as the starting middle linebacker after playing a supporting role at Miami the last two seasons. Tulane transfer Harvey Dyson and Penn State transfer Da’Karri Nelson will also step into starting roles right away. In the secondary, Georgia transfer Ondre Evans is likely to start right away for the NC State defense despite seeing little action with the Bulldogs the past two seasons.

NC State’s season outlook

Winning at least eight games has almost become the minimum expectation for NC State during Doeren’s tenure. With an experienced quarterback like Bailey, that’s certainly a fair goal. However, with all the new additions at wide receiver and along the offensive line, it could take time for the NC State offense to gel. Meanwhile, the Wolfpack is banking on a lot of new faces providing immediate answers on defense. There’s no guarantee that happens despite plenty of talent added on that side of the ball.

The good news is that NC State plays a favorable schedule. The likes of Miami, SMU, Clemson, Virginia Tech, and Pitt are all missing. The season opener against Virginia and a home date with Louisville are NC State’s toughest games. The Wolfpack will also benefit from five home conference games and the fact that they have just one road game between September 26 and November 21. If NC State can find answers to some key questions, that schedule could help put the Wolfpack in a position to reach the ACC Championship Game.

When and where does NC State play Syracuse in 2026?

The Orange will play NC State on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C.

Prediction: Syracuse 27, NC State 23

Fran Brown and the Orange won in Raleigh two years ago, so he’ll pump his team full of confidence that they can do it again. If Syracuse proves to be a little better than expected, this game could be more of a toss-up than it looks like at the start of the season. By the end of the season, Steve Angeli will be hitting his stride after last year’s injury, and the offensive line will be coming on strong, allowing the Orange to earn a conference road win.

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