NC State at Stanford
Friday, October 23, 2026, 10:30 PM ET Share
NC State plays at Stanford on Friday, October 23, at 10:30 p.m. Eastern. It will be their second meeting; NC State leads the series 1–0.
Game notes: the series, streaks, the coaches and school records within reach, from the research desk.


Upcoming at Stanford Stadium, StanfordForecast at kickoff: 62°F, clear, NW wind 9 mphNational Weather Service forecast, Mon 2:26 AM ETTV: ESPN
Preview
| NC State | Stanford | |
|---|---|---|
| 3–3 | Record | 3–4 |
| 0.19 (48th) | EPA per play | 0.09 (94th) |
| 0.16 (110th) | EPA per play allowed | 0.32 (138th) |
| 46% (45th) | Success rate | 39% (120th) |
| 42% (90th) | Success rate allowed | 48% (130th) |
| 1.24 (66th) | Explosiveness | 1.20 (86th) |
| 4.2 (50th) | Points per trip inside the 40 | 3.5 (90th) |
| 16% (65th) | Havoc caused | 11% (133rd) |
| 0.08 | Opponent-adjusted EPA | 0.05 |
| 0.19 | Opponent-adjusted EPA allowed | 0.24 |
NC State
| Player | Share | EPA/play | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJ Bailey QB | 92% | 0.37 | 0.22 |
| Jayden Scott RB | 31% | 0.13 | 0.13 |
| Davion Gause RB | 28% | −0.08 | 0.04 |
| Keenan Jackson WR | 17% | 1.01 | |
| Joshisa Trader WR | 16% | 0.53 | |
| Preston Douglas TE | 14% | 0.72 |
Kicker: Kanoah Vinesett, 4.4 points above a replacement kicker on seven field-goal tries.
Stanford
| Player | Share | EPA/play | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davis Warren QB | 95% | 0.21 | 0.20 |
| Micah Ford RB | 58% | 0.11 | 0.10 |
| Sedrick Irvin RB | 22% | 0.09 | 0.14 |
| Nico Brown WR | 17% | 0.39 | |
| Caden High WR | 16% | 0.61 | |
| Benjamin Blackburn TE | 16% | 0.10 |
Kicker: Emmet Kenney, 2.4 points below a replacement kicker on six field-goal tries.
Each side’s numbers this season, with its rank in the nation (first is best, on defense too), from CollegeFootballData.com’s game preview, as of October 18. The better side of each line is bold. Key players are each side’s leading passer, two leading runners and three leading receivers by share of plays. Adjusted: EPA per play adjusted for the defenses faced.
Players to watch
NC State
QuarterbackC.J. Bailey1,507 passing yards, 9 TDLast: vs. Wake Forest, 28 of 39, 241 yards, 1 TD; 13 carries, 0 yardsTeam leader in passing yards- ReceiverKeenan Jackson27 catches, 400 yards, 5 TDLast: vs. Wake Forest, 5 catches, 61 yardsTeam leader in receiving yards
- LinebackerRaul Aguirre Jr.55 tacklesLast: vs. Wake Forest, 12 tacklesTeam leader in tackles
Stanford
- QuarterbackDavis Warren1,630 passing yards, 7 TDLast: vs. Elon, 27 of 39, 279 yards, 1 TDTeam leader in passing yards
- Running backMicah Ford529 rushing yards, 8 TDLast: vs. Elon, 19 carries, 179 yards ★, 4 TD ★; 5 catches, 52 yardsTeam leader in rushing yards
- SafetyJaivion Green42 tacklesLast: vs. Elon, 5 tacklesTeam leader in tackles
Each side’s two top producers this season (national leaders first) and its leading tackler. Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licenses; credits on each player’s page.
Before kickoff
Our ratings and the line, going in
Our ratings (scores only)
NC State 55% to win.
The line
NC State −7.5, over/under 55.5.
Updated once a night until kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.
Win chances before kickoff: NC State 70%, Stanford 30%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.
The series
Every NC State–Stanford gameNC State leads 1–0 in their only meeting.
Around this game
NC State
- Next gamevs. CaliforniaOct. 31, 2026
- SeasonNC State in 2026
- ProgramNC State history and records
Stanford
- Next gameat LouisvilleOct. 31, 2026
- SeasonStanford in 2026
- ProgramStanford history and records