Miami Hurricanes Week 12 Preview: NC State Wolfpack

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Miami, Florida – Three games remain as the Miami Hurricanes wrap up their home schedule, hosting NC State in a bid to keep their postseason hopes alive. After winning their homecoming game versus Syracuse, UM’s CFP aspirations got a shot in the arm thanks to Virginia and Louisville losing. In fact, they have slightly better odds of making it to the championship bracket than they do the ACC title game. The latest CFP rankings saw the Cardiac Canes move up three spots to number 15. No conference has more chaos going on right now than the ACC. Heading into week 12, Georgia Tech, Virginia, SMU, Miami, Duke, Louisville, and Pitt are all possible participants for the conference championship.

Keionte Scott: The New Top Graded CB in College Football🙌@CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/OFuprdLSu2

— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 13, 2025

UM checks in at 7-2 (3-2, ACC) while NC State arrives at 5-4 overall, including a 2-3 conference record. Don’t let that fool you. The Wolfpack beat Virginia, and they pulled off a surprise upset of Georgia Tech before heading into their bye week. Long-time head coach Dave Doeren leads NC State, who is in his thirteenth year with the program. The Wolfpack won the last meeting back in 2023, snapping UM’s four-game winning streak. This will be another rematch between coach Mario Cristobal and coach Doeren. Here are the players to watch.

NC State

CJ Bailey

NC State QB CJ Bailey isn’t a dynamic athlete but he is more than athletic enough to make some plays with his feet. He’s also a lot stronger than you’d think looking at him. pic.twitter.com/JpOGn5I5au

— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) October 7, 2025

NC State averages 33.2 points per game, which is slightly higher than Miami’s 32.9 per game. Because of this, we’re looking at quarterback CJ Bailey. A sophomore from right here in Miami, Florida, Bailey has recorded 2,411 passing yards, 19 TDs, and seven interceptions. He beats UM’s Carson Beck in all those categories and has four rushing touchdowns as well. However, his O-line is far weaker. Bailey has been sacked 14 times to Beck’s 6. Five of those came from Virginia Tech and four from Notre Dame. The Hurricanes should not take him lightly. Bailey torched Georgia Tech for 340 yards, scoring thrice.

Jayden Scott

These two made it HAPPEN in NC State's upset over No. 8 Georgia Tech 🔥

CJ Bailey: 340 PASSING YDS | 3 TOTAL TD

Jayden Scott: 196 RUSHING YDS | 1 TD pic.twitter.com/HkQX7Vy7gD

— Bleacher Report CFB (@BR_CFB) November 2, 2025

When it comes to the running game, Jayden Scott was the next man up with Hollywood Smothers injured. The word on the street is that Smothers will return to face Miami.  Although Hollywood didn’t play against Georgia Tech, he’s still the top rusher in the ACC. Scott, meanwhile, did phenomenal versus the Yellow Jackets, rushing for 196 yards on 24 carries, averaging 8.2 yards per carry, nabbing himself a TD in the process. Whoever gets the green light needs to be contained on Saturday.

Caden Fordham

Attack Mode #1Pack1Goal | @Caden_Fordham pic.twitter.com/fHGzYdyZAz

— NC State Football (@PackFootball) November 5, 2025

The ACC leader in tackles is Caden Fordham. Totaling 92, 40 of those solo, so far this season, the linebacker is a presence on the field with 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a broken up pass, and a pick. Seen as the “Alpha Wolf”, Fordham has good play recognition and is a leader on the team. Block shedding and changing direction are areas of concern for the young man, but he’s got a nose for the game.

Miami

Girard Pringle Jr./CharMar Brown

CharMar Brown TOUCHDOWN!!

Miami is asserting their dominance! pic.twitter.com/LkT6PUpDsC

— Grant Speaks (@GrantSpeaks1) September 1, 2025

This is cheating a little bit, although with Mark Fletcher out again, this duo may prove essential. NC State is horrible against the pass (292.4 yards allowed per game), ranking next to last in the ACC. However, they’re middle of the pack against the rush, allowing 132.3 yards per game. Girard Pringle Jr. was the most successful against the Orange, recording 55 yards on seven carries with a touchdown. CharMar Brown had 40 yards on eight carries. Brown has the most workload this season, churning out 320 yards to Pringle’s 115. Both have four TDs. They can alternate wearing down the Wolfpack.

Mohamed Toure

Mohamed Toure with the big hit pic.twitter.com/JqJJConk9w

— Grant Speaks (@GrantSpeaks1) September 1, 2025

The Rutgers transfer has done well within the program. Mohamed Toure leads the Hurricanes with 45 tackles, 18 of those solo, complemented with a sack and three pass deflections, one of those coming against Syracuse. Toure has made a significant impact with the improved defense via his physicality, versatility, and experience. The Canes will need him as it’s all hands on deck for Saturday, especially because of the latest injury report.

CJ Daniels

CJ DANIELS IS A CHEAT CODE 🤯 pic.twitter.com/G7PxHl0KWw

— Miami Hurricanes (@MiamiHurricanes) September 14, 2025

Speaking of, coach Mario Cristobal is hopeful for CJ Daniels returning to the field. He’s been out for the last two games, and his inclusion bolsters UM’s offense. Hauling in 33 catches for 351 yards and six TDs, Daniels is effectively the WR2. If he cannot go, we’ll see more of Keelan Marion, who did great last weekend.

Prediction

The loss of Keonte Scott is an ill-timed blow, and a big one at that. OJ Frederique Jr. and the Fletcher mentioned above are also out. This can go either way. Miami must stop NC State’s offense while turning on its own, which has been slow out of the gate the last four games. The Canes did great on the penalties with ‘Cuse, and that will be pivotal. They must also win in the turnover battle. I am cautiously optimistic. Final Score: 31-27.

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