Duke visits NC State with interim coach Todd Goebbel in charge
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Duke (6-2, 3-2 ACC) travels to NC State (4-4, 2-3) on Saturday, favored by 4.5 points.
Duke is chasing an ACC title-game spot; NC State needs wins for bowl eligibility.
Background
Duke is a 6-2 Blue Devils team coached by Manny Diaz, who is 4-0 against NC State in his career and returns to Raleigh on Saturday. NC State is 4-4 and playing under interim head coach Todd Goebbel, who took over after Dave Doeren was fired and won his first game as a head coach, 31-10 over California. The two programs were once a stronger regional rivalry but have met only four times since 2013 and six times since 2003. Duke is fighting for a spot in the ACC title game, while NC State is fighting for bowl eligibility.
How it unfolded
- Nov 6, 2026Duke (6-2, 3-2 ACC) travels to Raleigh to face NC State (4-4, 2-3) at Carter-Finley Stadium, with kickoff at 12:30 p.m. on The CW.
- Nov 6, 2026Duke enters off a 47-2 win over Boston College in which running back Nate Sheppard rushed for a school-record five touchdowns.
- Nov 6, 2026NC State, after firing head coach Dave Doeren, rebounded with a 31-10 win over California behind CJ Bailey's 192 passing yards and two touchdowns.
- Nov 7, 2026Duke is favored by 4.5 points (moneyline -188), with NC State at +4.5 (+158) and an over/under of 51.5; the line opened at NC State +5.5, moved to +6.5, then back to +4.5.
Key terms
- ACC
- A U.S. collegiate athletic conference with eighteen member universities competing in NCAA Division I sports.
- bowl eligibility
- In NCAA Division I FBS college football, the standard that makes a team available for selection to postseason bowl games.
- moneyline
- A bet on which side will win an event, with odds fixed at the time the wager is placed.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Duke Wire's Brian Stultz predicts Duke 27, NC State 23, with a clutch fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Walker Eget.
- Analysts
- Pack Power Predictions' Michael Clark picks NC State 27, Duke 24, expecting Eget's turnovers and the home crowd to decide it.
- Analysts
- Pack Power Predictions' Cory Smith and Charlie Gribble both back Duke, at 38-17 and 31-21 respectively, citing Duke's ACC-leading defense.
- Support
- SI/All Wolfpack's Andre Cherry says a win against a good 6-2 Duke team would provide a much-needed boost to the State program.
- Caution
- Action Network's Road ToCFB pick is Duke team total under 28.5 or better.
Still unverified
NC State "might" return running back Duke Scott this week, per reporting; he hasn't suited up since Week 5 and is listed QUESTIONABLE on the injury report.