From extinguished hopes to a chance at the playoffs, UNC, Duke, and NC State have had very different football seasons. Keep reading to see where your favorite Tobacco Road team will end up this season, and what’s next for each squad.
NC State
If you ask a Wolfpack fan for their season highlights, it’d be the win over then-No. 8 Georgia Tech and beating UNC for the fifth year in a row. With a 7-5 record, the Pack is going bowling, too — stay tuned this weekend to see which bowl + opponent NC State will face.
Plus, Dave Doeren will return for his 14th season with the Wolfpack in 2026. Even better? The Pack will face off against Virginia in the first-ever college football game played in South America at Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Aug. 29, 2026.
UNC
Bill Belichick’s first season at head coach ended at 4-8 for the Tar Heels, their worst season since 2018’s 2-9 record, and it all ended with a tough 19-42 loss against NC State on Saturday. While Belichick’s debut for UNC didn’t go as planned, the six-time Super Bowl winner has said he has no plans to leave Chapel Hill despite rumors.
Duke
If the Blue Devils want to make it to the College Football Playoffs for a chance at their first-ever national title, they need to get through Virginia first. The Blue Devils are boasting a 6-2 conference record to end the regular season and will duke it out against No. 16 Virginia this Saturday, Dec. 6 in Charlotte for the ACC championship title and a spot in the playoffs. Grab tickets.
