The 116th Victory Bell rivalry, one of the ACC’s fiercest in-state battles since 1894, headlines Week 14 as the NC State Wolfpack (6-5, 4-4 ACC) host the North Carolina Tar Heels (4-7, 1-6 ACC) at Carter-Finley Stadium. NC State, under Dave Doeren, enters with bowl momentum on the line (projected Duke’s Mayo Bowl) after a four-game win streak snapped by a loss, including a 35-30 thriller over Wake Forest on November 23. North Carolina, wrapping a disappointing campaign under Bill Belichick in his first season, seeks to avoid a three-game losing streak to end the year after a 28-24 defeat at Duke on November 16—the Tar Heels’ fourth straight loss. The Wolfpack’s balanced offense (top-50 scoring at 29.1 PPG) tests UNC’s depleted secondary (bottom-40 pass D), while the Tar Heels’ passing game (led by Max Johnson) could exploit NC State’s front—expect Raleigh rivalry fire, Wolfpack howls, and a high-stakes, turnover-prone affair with the Bell and bragging rights at stake.
Venue Location
The showdown is at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina. This 57,600-seat ACC staple, opened in 1966 and renovated in 2016, is NC State’s home since 1965 and known for its raucous “Wolfpack Nation” student section and tailgate traditions amid oak trees. It’s a 140-mile drive from Chapel Hill, ensuring a hostile, sold-out crowd—NC State holds a 36-23-2 home record in the series.
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN (primary), with streaming on ESPN app and Fubo. Radio: North Carolina’s 810 AM (Tar Heel Sports Network); NC State’s 99.7 FM (Wolfpack Sports Network).
Weather Updates
Raleigh’s late-November forecast calls for clear, cool conditions ideal for night football. Expect partly cloudy skies with a high of 43°F (6°C) and a low around 30°F (-1°C). Winds: Light 5-10 mph from the north, with 33% cloud cover and 0% chance of precipitation. Crisp and dry—natural grass field (Bermuda) firm and fast, favoring NC State’s run-heavy scheme, though dropping temps may slow passing arms late.
Injury Report
Both teams carry moderate dings into rivalry week, with UNC’s tight end corps and NC State’s O-line hit hardest. Updates as of November 28.
North Carolina Tar Heels:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Connor Cox | TE | Questionable | Undisclosed (limited practice) | Key blocker/receiver (est. 20 rec, 250 yds); if out, thins red-zone options—Tar Heels rank 90th scoring (26 PPG). |
| Chad Lindberg | OL | Out | Undisclosed | Swing tackle; O-line allowed 30 sacks (110th nationally). |
| Christo Kelly | OL | Out | Undisclosed | Interior starter; further shuffles trenches. |
| Cort Halsey | TE | Out | Undisclosed | Depth TE; impacts pass pro. |
| Deems May | TE | Out | Undisclosed (since Nov. 15) | Pass-catcher (15 rec); hurts YAC amid injuries. |
Overall: Five key issues; Belichick noted “managing loads,” with QB Max Johnson fully healthy but secondary stable.
NC State Wolfpack:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| CJ Bailey | QB | Probable | Shoulder (limited vs. Wake Forest) | Starter (2,683 yds, 21 TDs); full practice—Wolfpack 5-1 with Bailey 250+ yds. |
| Justin Joly | TE | Questionable | Undisclosed | Tight end (est. 20 rec, 250 yds); key red-zone threat if sidelined. |
| Delbert Mimms III | OL | Out | Undisclosed | Guard; O-line allowed 25 sacks (95th). |
Overall: Three limited/out; Doeren called it “business as usual,” with run game intact (top-50 YPG).
Player Matchups
NC State’s efficiency (top-50 SP+ offense) edges UNC’s grit (top-70 defense). Rivalry chaos often flips scripts; keys:
UNC QB Max Johnson vs. NC State Secondary: Johnson’s arm (est. 2,500 yds, 18 TDs) carves zones. Wolfpack DBs (top-40 efficiency, 10 INTs) force TOs. Edge: NC State—Wolfpack 5-1 with 2+ TOs; Tar Heels 2-4 with 3+ giveaways.
NC State QB CJ Bailey vs. UNC Pass Rush: Bailey’s mobility (150 rush yds, 5 TDs) extends plays. Tar Heels’ front (top-50 sacks) pressures 25% dropbacks. Edge: Bailey—Wolfpack 4-1 exceeding 300 yds/game.
UNC RB (committee) vs. NC State Front Seven: Tar Heel backs (140 YPG) test LBs (top-50 run D). Edge: NC State—Tar Heels 1-5 under 130 rush yds.
NC State WR (group) vs. UNC CBs: Targets (est. 1,200 yds) exploit coverage. Tar Heels bend (80th passer rating). Edge: NC State—Wolfpack 4-2 when WRs hit 150+ yds.
Recent Team Forms
North Carolina Tar Heels: Belichick’s Tar Heels fell 28-24 at Duke (Nov. 16), extending skid—Johnson’s flashes (200 yds) undone by turnovers (10 given last 3). Balanced but fading (26 PPG), D middling (28 PPG allowed). Morale: Finale fire—1-4 ATS road.
NC State Wolfpack: Doeren’s Wolfpack edged Wake Forest 35-30 (Nov. 23), with Bailey’s clutch (250 yds). Balanced (29.1 PPG), D gritty (top-40 scoring). Morale: Bowl push—4-1 SU home.
Series History
The Victory Bell rivalry, contested annually since 1894, sees UNC leading historically. All-time: North Carolina leads 68-40-2 (36-23-2 home for NC State, 31-17-4 away for UNC). Last 10: NC State 7-3 (won last 4 straight). Wolfpack hold after 2024’s 35-30 thriller. At Carter-Finley: NC State 36-23-2. Iconic: UNC’s 1998 28-24 upset; NC State’s 2024 streak-snapper.
| Year | Winner | Score | Notes |
| 2024 | NC State | 35-30 | Wolfpack thriller |
| 2023 | NC State | 34-30 | OT nailbiter |
| 2022 | NC State | 34-7 | Dominant |
| 2021 | NC State | 34-14 | Blowout |
| 2020 | NC State | 34-28 | COVID-era |
Betting Trends
North Carolina: 5-5-1 ATS (50%); 2-3 ATS as 7.5+ road dogs. 4-7 O/U; overs in 4/6 away. 2-5 SU as underdog (28.6%). Vs. NC State: 3-7 SU last 10, 4-6 ATS.
NC State: 4-6 ATS (40%); 3-2 ATS as 7.5+ home faves. 6-4 O/U; overs in 4/6 home. 4-3 SU as favorite (57.1%). Series: 7-3 SU last 10.
Series Trends: Home team 6-4 SU last 10; overs 6/10 (avg. 55 pts). Favorites cover 7/10; NC State 5-2 ATS home vs. UNC. Advanced: FPI gives NC State 70% win prob. NC State top-50 offensive SP+; UNC 90th overall.
Game Odds
North Carolina Tar Heels 48.5
NC State Wolfpack – 7.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 28, 2025
