NC State quarterback CJ Bailey isn’t overthinking this week’s challenge. The Wolfpack will head into one of the sport’s most iconic venues to face Notre Dame, but Bailey’s mindset remains steady — focused, competitive, and confident.
“We see a lot of man, a lot of base defense,” Bailey said when asked about the Irish. “We’re ready to attack them as long as we’re attacking now. Ready to get the run game going, ready to get the passing game going, ready to win it.”
Notre Dame’s defensive approach, he says, is straightforward but athletic.
“They do rely kind of on their defensive backs to make plays for them,” Bailey added. “And let the front four win battles, which is not going to happen.”
At the midpoint of the season, Bailey has shown flashes of what he can become — a strong-armed, mobile quarterback capable of leading NC State’s offense with rhythm and poise. But he’s also his own biggest critic.
“I feel like I have a lot of stuff to take,” he said. “There’s a lot of things I could have did better throughout this stretch. Like, I feel like through these games, I’ve been growing. I actually have been taking steps, but I got to go take my play way higher for us to win more games.”
That next step, he says, is all about consistency.
“Those first halves in all of the games, I’ve been dang near perfect,” Bailey said. “I just want to continue to have that in the second half — just staying the same, being consistent.”
Bailey isn’t caught up in the noise surrounding the environment at Notre Dame or the history of the program. He’s treating it like any other game.
“We just play the team,” he said. “If we think it would be like a rowdy... any away game we have, we prepare by bringing loudspeakers and playing a lot of music before snaps just to prepare in case we can’t hear — which won’t happen.”
That poise has carried over from a solid performance in last week’s win, one that helped spark momentum inside the locker room.
“Yeah, I think any win helps,” Bailey said. “If we came into this season undefeated to now, it would carry on to each week. So that win was pretty big last week.”
Bailey’s chemistry with running back Hollywood Smothers has been another key to NC State’s offensive rhythm.
“It’s lovely,” he said with a smile. “I can’t stop raving about him and talking to him. Like, you’re one of the best — you are the best back in the country, you know what I mean? And I’m glad to have him next to me.”
That relationship — and Bailey’s upbeat demeanor — have become defining traits of his leadership style. Whether it’s celebrating big plays or sharing moments with teammates, his energy is infectious.
“I like just having fun,” Bailey said. “Just having fun playing the game and having fun with others. You know what I mean? That’s just how I am.”
As NC State prepares for its trip to South Bend, Bailey’s focus is simple: keep improving, keep leading, and keep the offense rolling — one consistent snap at a time.
