Louisville vs NC State head-to-head: position-by-position star ratings, experience, and composite grades on CFB Matchup. They meet Week 5, Saturday, October 3, 2026.
The Breakdown
Louisville grades 66 to NC State's 57, with 4★ Lincoln Kienholz over 3★ CJ Bailey. 64% portal-built.
When Louisville has the ball: Tre Richardson and Lawayne Mccoy, both 4★, face NC State's 3.0★ secondary — narrow edge outside.
When NC State has the ball: 3.2★ O-line meets Louisville's 3.3★ D-line, even. Downfield, 3.3★ receivers face a 3.5★ secondary averaging 3.3 years.
Swing factor: Kienholz, a 4★ transfer with three college years, outguns CJ Bailey, 3★ and two seasons.
X-factor: Week 5 road trip for Louisville into a hostile NC State crowd, first Saturday of October.