Virginia vs Norfolk State Prediction: Can the Cavaliers Get Hot Again?

It seems like a few years ago since Virginia opened up the season with an emphatic 34-8 win over NC State in Week 0. It's not like the team needed the rest, but it got it – the game was originally supposed to be played in Brazil, which is why there was a week off before this. Now it gets a Norfolk State team coming off a 56-0 domination of Winston-Salem.

Virginia might be great in season openers over the years, but it's had a problem in Week 2, going 1-3 over the last four years.

The two schools are just 170 miles apart, but they've never met.

Virginia gets a dangerous game against a much-improved West Virginia team next in Charlotte.

Date: Friday, September 11, 2026 Game Time: 7:00 PM ET TV: ACC Network Location: Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA – Week 2 Schedule, Picks – CFN Expert Picks: Week 2

Dealing with Virginia will be just a wee bit harder than facing Winston-Salem, but everything was humming for the Spartan running game with over 300 yards and runs coming in chunks. It'll be more about controlling the clock and keeping Virginia's offense on the sidelines than running well against the ACC defense, but as long as it can occasionally keep the chains moving, it should be able to keep this from getting out of hand early.

Norfolk State won't be able to run on the Cavaliers. It'll make too many mistakes, killing any momentum they're able to create. The rested Cavaliers that were razor-sharp against the Wolfpack should be balanced from the start. Beau Pribula who led the team with 110 rushing yards to go along with his 9-of-11 passing day with two scores will be able to do what he wants.

Virginia vs Norfolk State Prediction, Betting Lines

For the second straight game, the Virginia defense will be suffocating. It never let the NC State offense get going, and it'll be all over the Norfolk State attack from the start. The Spartans will get a late score or two, but that will be well after Virginia got its work in Virginia 52, Norfolk State 6 Latest Consensus Line: Virginia -44.5, o/u: 54.5 ATS Confidence (out of 5) : 2 Must See Rating (out of 5) : 1.5

Consensus line based on BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.