NC State vs Vanderbilt head-to-head: position-by-position star ratings, experience, and composite grades on CFB Matchup. They meet Week 3, Saturday, September 19, 2026.
The Breakdown
Vanderbilt's 62 composite edges NC State's 57, driven mostly by 5★ quarterback Jared Curtis.
When NC State has the ball: Duke Scott's 3★ running attacks Vanderbilt's 2.7★ linebackers, a group averaging 3.3 years.
When Vanderbilt has the ball: Brycen Coleman and a 3.3★ receiver group face NC State's 3.0★ secondary — slim edge.
Swing factor: Jared Curtis is a 5★ with zero college seasons; CJ Bailey counters with 3★, two years.
X-factor: Vanderbilt hosts in Nashville on a mid-September Saturday; NC State makes the non-conference road trip.