NC State Wolfpack at Vanderbilt Commodores

QUARTERBACK

• CJ Bailey is NCSU's confirmed starter

  9.13 Y/A

  CJ Bailey is NCSU's confirmed starting quarterback. NC State's Vanderbilt depth chart lists Bailey first at quarterback without an OR designation, ahead of Will Wilson. 2026 line: 365 passing yards, 62.5% completions, 9.13 yards per attempt, 1-1 TD-INT over 2 games.

• Jared Curtis is VAN's confirmed starter

  8.71 Y/A

  Jared Curtis is VAN's confirmed starting quarterback. Head coach Clark Lea named Curtis the starter against NC State; Curtis received the large majority of first-team practice repetitions this week. 2026 line: 270 passing yards, 67.7% completions, 8.71 yards per attempt, 1-0 TD-INT over 2 games.

TRENCHES

• NCSU is +108.5 rush yards per game

  108.5 YPG

  NCSU is at 252 rushing yards per game over 2 games; VAN is at 143.5 over 2 games. Those are current-2026 team-game results through 2026-09-18.

• VAN's front holds runners to 66 fewer yards per game

  66 YPG

  NCSU is at 146 rushing yards allowed per game over 2 games; VAN is at 80 over 2 games. Those come from the opposing team boxes in the games each side has already played this 2026 season, through 2026-09-18.

PACE & SCRIPT

• NCSU @ VAN carries a 65.5 market total

  65.5

  The current draftkings total is 65.5, 10 points above the 55.5 median across 45 games with posted totals on this slate.

• NCSU is scoring +9 points per game

  9 PPG

  NCSU is at 40.5 points per game over 2 games; VAN is at 31.5 over 2 games. Those are current-2026 team-game results through 2026-09-18.

TURNOVERS

• VAN commits 1 fewer turnovers per game

  1 TO

  NCSU is at 1.5 turnovers committed per game over 2 games; VAN is at 0.5 over 2 games. Those are current-2026 team-game results through 2026-09-18.

MISMATCH

• NCSU's ground game against VAN's — 252 rush yards a game to 143.5

  252 VS 143.5

  The widest gap on this matchup's tape: rush ypg — NCSU 252, VAN 143.5, over 2 and 2 game samples.

REPLACEMENT

• AJ Richardson (LB) is out for the season for NCSU

  OUT FOR SEASON

  Starting weakside linebacker and captain suffered a season-ending torn biceps injury; Bailey Benson has taken over the starting role. NC State’s Vanderbilt Depth Chart: Young LBs Rise, Paylor Added at Kick Returner (2026-09-15)

• Aaron Bryant (DL) is out for the season for VAN

  OUT FOR SEASON

  Defensive-line depth player suffered a torn ACL against Delaware and will undergo season-ending knee surgery. Vanderbilt Football Injury Report: One Player Suffers Season-Ending Injury, Others to Miss Game Against NC State (2026-09-15) Vanderbilt football injury update on Cole Spence, Aaron Bryant, Jaylin Lackey (2026-09-15)

• CJ Jackson (EDGE) is out for the season for VAN

  OUT FOR SEASON

  Edge defender remains out for the 2026 season following an in-practice injury; no return timeline was reported. Vanderbilt Football Team Preview (2026-09-17)

• Jaylin Lackey (CB) is out for VAN

  OUT

  Cornerback has a persistent hamstring injury and was ruled out against NC State. Vanderbilt Football Injury Report: One Player Suffers Season-Ending Injury, Others to Miss Game Against NC State (2026-09-15) Vanderbilt football injury update on Cole Spence, Aaron Bryant, Jaylin Lackey (2026-09-15)

• Jamison Curtis (LB) is out for VAN

  OUT

  Linebacker is week-to-week with a soft-tissue injury and was reported unavailable against NC State. Vanderbilt Football Injury Report: One Player Suffers Season-Ending Injury, Others to Miss Game Against NC State (2026-09-15)

• Cole Spence (TE) is out for VAN

  OUT

  Starting tight end remains week-to-week with a lower-body/leg injury and was ruled out against NC State. Vanderbilt Football Injury Report: One Player Suffers Season-Ending Injury, Others to Miss Game Against NC State (2026-09-15) Vanderbilt football injury update on Cole Spence, Aaron Bryant, Jaylin Lackey (2026-09-15)

• Teddy Hoffmann (WR) is suspended for NCSU

  SUSPENDED

  Wide receiver is listed out for the season because of a suspension. NC State Wolfpack (2026-09-15)

SITUATIONAL

• VAN's staff goes for it 3 more times per game on fourth down

  3 ATT/G

  NCSU is at 0.5 fourth-down attempts per game over 2 games; VAN is at 3.5 over 2 games. Those are current-2026 team-game results through 2026-09-18.

• VAN's fourth-down conversion rate is 57.1 percentage points higher

  57.1 PP

  NCSU is at 0% fourth-down conversion rate over 2 games; VAN is at 57.1% over 2 games. Those are current-2026 team-game results through 2026-09-18.

• NCSU's third-down conversion rate is 18.8 percentage points higher

  18.8 PP

  NCSU is at 52.2% third-down conversion rate over 2 games; VAN is at 33.3% over 2 games. Those are current-2026 team-game results through 2026-09-18.