Almost nothing went wrong for Virginia in 2025.
The Cavaliers notched their first-ever 11-win season, made the ACC Championship game and defeated Missouri in the Gator Bowl.
Nobody saw it coming. And nobody is expecting it to happen again.
As impressive as Tony Elliott’s Cavaliers were in 2025, the bulk of the work was done by one-season transfers, meaning Virginia will need lightning to strike twice in as many years if it’s going to repeat the feat.
Color me skeptical.
Beau Pribula, last seen at Missouri, comes in to replace quarterback Chandler Morris, and he’s got some serious shoes to fill.
Pribula can do a job, but expecting him to hit the heights that Morris did is asking too much — especially since this transfer class doesn’t project to be as prolific as the one Elliott brought in before last season.
NC State will also have plenty of new faces in its ranks for 2026, but they have continuity at the most important position with CJ Bailey.
Because the Wolfpack were middling Bailey’s performance last season went largely overlooked, but make no mistake, he is the goods.
Catch up on The Post’s college football betting predictions and previews for the 2026 season
A dual-threat quarterback who rarely runs himself into trouble, Bailey has the potential to battle Miami’s Darian Mensah for the title of the best QB in the ACC.
NC State’s defense, which used to be the program’s calling card, could be a red flag again this season, but I like the Wolfpack’s chances of hanging with a Virginia offense that will need time to develop chemistry with so many new faces in town.
Virginia seems to be getting a bit too much respect based on what it did last year. Take the points.
THE PLAY: NC State +4 (-110, DraftKings)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
