You probably think the biggest rivalry in North Carolina is the "Battle for the Blues" between Duke and UNC. Everyone does. But if you’re looking for the deepest, most persistent grudge in the Atlantic Coast Conference, you have to look toward the 103-mile stretch of I-40 connecting Raleigh and Winston-Salem.
The NC State vs Wake Forest matchup is the actual ironman of the ACC.
They’ve played every single year since 1910. Think about that for a second. Through two World Wars, a global pandemic in 1918, and another one in 2020, the Wolfpack and the Demon Deacons haven’t missed a date on the gridiron. Nationally, only the Minnesota-Wisconsin series has a longer continuous streak. This is old-school football. It’s "Tobacco Road" before the term became a marketing slogan for basketball.
The Rivalry That Literally Moved
One of the weirdest things about this matchup—and something most casual fans totally forget—is that these two schools used to be neighbors.
Back in the day, Wake Forest University wasn't in Winston-Salem. It was in the town of Wake Forest, North Carolina. That’s only about 18 miles from NC State’s campus. In 1956, the school packed up its entire operation and moved across the state. Even though they aren't physical neighbors anymore, the heat between the fanbases never cooled down.
Honestly, the lack of a "trophy" or a flashy name like the Iron Bowl is probably why people overlook it. But ask anyone who was at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium on September 11, 2025, if this feels like a secondary rivalry.
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What Happened in the 2025 Matchup?
If you missed the most recent game, you missed a classic example of why this series is so stressful for everyone involved.
NC State walked into Winston-Salem and pulled off a 34-24 win, but the first half was a total disaster for the Pack. Wake Forest’s Chris Barnes took the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. Just like that, zero to seven before the fans even sat down.
Then things got weird. A food truck caught fire outside the stadium, filling the end zone with smoke. Amidst the literal fog of war, NC State’s 280-pound defensive tackle Isaiah Shirley picked off a pass and rumbled 41 yards for a touchdown.
It was the first time a Wolfpack defensive lineman had a pick-six since Alim McNeill in 2020.
Key Stats from the September 2025 Game:
- Final Score: NC State 34, Wake Forest 24
- The Turning Point: NC State’s defense pitched a total shutout in the second half.
- The Hero: RB Hollywood Smothers rushed for 164 yards, the most by a Pack runner in nearly seven years.
- Attendance: 29,043 (a loud, sell-out atmosphere in Winston-Salem).
Dave Doeren’s squad showed some serious grit. They trailed by 10 points at halftime and somehow held the Deacs to just 44 total yards in the final two quarters. That kind of defensive adjustment is exactly why NC State has been so tough to beat lately, moving their all-time series lead to 70-43-6.
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The Basketball Side: More Than Just a Footnote
While the football longevity is the headline, the hardwood history is just as dense. On New Year's Eve 2025, these two met in Raleigh for a noon tip-off that felt way more like a high-stakes March game than a holiday matinee.
NC State took that one 70-57.
Wake Forest actually led at halftime, but the Wolfpack’s depth wore them down. It’s a pattern we see a lot in this series. The schools are "primary partners," meaning they play twice every single season. You can’t hide from your rival in the ACC.
The history here goes back to 1895. When they first met on the court, they tied 4-4. Yes, a 4-4 tie. Basketball was a very different sport back then, clearly. Since that bizarre beginning, the Wolfpack has built a 99-75 lead in the basketball series.
Why This Rivalry Still Matters in 2026
In the modern era of conference realignment, where teams are flying across the country to play "rivals" three time zones away, NC State vs Wake Forest is a sanctuary.
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It’s local. It’s personal. It’s built on 116 consecutive years of people living in the same neighborhoods and working in the same offices, wearing different shades of red or old gold.
The 2021 game is still the one Deac fans talk about most—a 45-42 shootout that basically decided the ACC Atlantic Division. Wake won that one and went to the title game. Those are the stakes. It's rarely just about a winning record; it's about who owns the state for the next 365 days.
Actionable Tips for Fans and Bettors
If you're planning on following the next installment of this rivalry, keep these nuances in mind:
- Watch the Home/Away Splits: Dave Doeren has been incredibly strong at home (Carter-Finley Stadium), winning seven of the last eight against Wake Forest in Raleigh.
- Second Half Adjustments: In recent years, the winning team in this matchup has almost always been the one that wins the third quarter. Both coaches (Doeren and Clawson) are known for mid-game tactical shifts.
- The "Hollywood" Factor: Keep an eye on Hollywood Smothers. After his 164-yard performance in 2025, he has become the focal point of the NC State offense when they face the Deacs' 4-2-5 defensive look.
- Weather and Atmosphere: Because these games often happen early in the season or during transition months, humidity in Raleigh or the wind in Winston-Salem plays a massive factor in the kicking game.
The next time these two meet will be in Raleigh in 2026. Given the way the 2025 game ended—with NC State fans drowning out the home crowd with "Wolf-Pack" chants—expect the atmosphere at Carter-Finley to be absolutely electric.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for the trenches. In a rivalry this old, the game is still won exactly where it was in 1910: at the line of scrimmage.