First look: NC State, Notre Dame meet for Week 7 clash in South Bend
N.C. State, after picking up a much-needed win on Saturday, heads to the midwest to face Notre Dame on the road this weekend.
Despite the Wolfpack and Fighting Irish having long college football histories, this will be just the fifth time the two programs have met. It will also be just the second time they’ve played in South Bend, Indiana. The series is tied 2-2, but the Irish won the two most-recent games, including a 45-24 decision at Carter-Finley Stadium in 2023.
The Irish started the season slowly, losing its first two games to Miami and Texas A&M by a combined four points. Notre Dame has since won three games and outscored its opponents, 140-50. Notre Dame’s 56-13 win over Arkansas was the final straw for the Razorbacks program, which fired head coach Sam Pittman the day after the home blowout.
Meanwhile, N.C. State started the season on a three-game winning streak, but tripped up against Duke and Virginia Tech before rebounding with a 56-10 victory over Campbell.
The Wolfpack and Irish, on paper, are more similar than one would expect.
N.C. State averages 447.7 yards per game, while allowing 375 opponent yards per outing. From a scoring perspective, the Pack is recording 33.8 points and giving up 25 points per game.
Notre Dame averages 461.6 offensive yards and 375.2 defensive yards given up. The Irish have a leg up in scoring, recording 40.8 points per game and allowing 23.6.
The Wolfpack is more efficient in the red zone on both sides of the football, narrowly edging out the Irish in both categories.
It’s also worth noting that N.C. State’s individual leaders in passing yards (CJ Bailey), rushing yards (Hollywood Smothers), receiving yards (Terrell Anderson) and tackles (Caden Fordham) have higher numbers than the Irish’s top players in those categories, though both have well-rounded contributions on both sides of the ball.
Stat to watch: Turnovers
Notre Dame has protected the football well and been aggressive defensively, despite its early losses. Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr has only thrown two interceptions, while his defense has picked off eight passes. Additionally, the Irish have fumbled the ball seven times but only lost possession twice.
It enters the game as the nation’s leader in turnovers gained (9) and No. 19 in turnovers lost (4), while averaging plus-1 in turnover margin.
N.C. State’s offense has been slightly less successful in ball security. Bailey has thrown four interceptions — three against Duke. He has finished four games without being picked off. The Pack offense has fumbled five times, twice the opponent has recovered the ball.
The biggest difference comes in defensive production. The Wolfpack enters the game averaging a minus-0.67 turnover margin, with only three interceptions and one fumble recovery.
With injuries on defense limiting takeaway production, especially in the secondary, the N.C. State offense and special teams will need to play cleanly. Notre Dame’s defense will make them pay, otherwise.
Matchup to watch: Run, run, running backs
N.C. State features the second-most productive running back in the country in Hollywood Smothers. The redshirt sophomore leads the ACC with 693 yards and 115.5 yards per game. He has contributed five touchdowns on the ground and is gaining 6.9 yards per carry.
Another tailback, Duke Scott has run for 196 yards and 32.7 yards per game. He has scored three times.
On the other side, Notre Dame has Jeremiah Love and Jadarian Price. Love leads the Irish with 444 rushing yards and 88.8 yards per game. He’s found the end zone six times. Price leads the running back room with seven touchdowns, while running for 356 yards on the season and 71.2 per game.
N.C. State averages a 59.6 run blocking grade this season, according to Pro Football Focus, while Notre Dame’s is 58.5. The scoring success on Saturday could come down to which team controls the line of scrimmage, either opening seams for runners on offense or closing them on defense.
Vegas Betting line
Notre Dame opened as a 21.5-point favorite over N.C. State on DraftKings. ESPN projections give the Fighting Irish a 92.3% chance of winning.
NC State vs Notre Dame game info
Teams: N.C. State Wolfpack (4-2) vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-2)
Where: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana
Date: Oct. 11
Time: 3:30 p.m.
TV: N/A
Stream: Peacock
Series history: Both teams have won a pair of games, with Notre Dame winning two straight contests. In the most recent matchup, the Fighting Irish used a 21-point fourth quarter to defeat the Wolfpack, 45-24, at Carter-Finley Stadium. Notre Dame also won, 35-14, on Oct. 28, 2017, in South Bend. N.C. State won, 10-3, on Oct. 10, 2016.
This story was originally published October 6, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
