Delaware vs Virginia Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 26, 2026

The Delaware Blue Hens visit the 25th-ranked Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, with the opening kickoff at 6:00 PM ET and televised on ACC Network. Delaware is 2-1 overall and 0-0 in Conference USA after beating Coastal Carolina 22-14. Virginia is also 2-1 overall and sits at 1-0 in the ACC after opening conference play with a win over NC State. The Cavaliers are coming off a 38-27 loss to West Virginia after winning their first two games. Delaware has won two of three, with its only loss coming 35-26 at Vanderbilt. Check out our free NCAAF picks.

Delaware Blue Hens Coming Off a Home Win

Delaware bounced back from its loss at Vanderbilt by holding Coastal Carolina to 14 points in a 22-14 victory. Nick Minicucci has completed 55 of 95 passes for 814 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions, averaging 8.6 yards per attempt. Sean Wilson has been his leading receiver with 18 catches for 288 yards and three touchdowns. Da'Wain Lofton has added 258 yards and a touchdown on 13 receptions, averaging 19.8 yards per catch. Kaderris Roberts has six receptions for 132 yards and a score.

The Blue Hens have gained 303 rushing yards on 96 attempts, averaging 3.2 yards per carry. Jo Silver leads the ground attack with 156 yards and one touchdown, while Roberts has 54 yards and a score. Delaware’s defense has recorded 10 sacks, led by Blake Matthews with 2.5 and Colin Gallagher and Noah Matthews with two apiece. Gavin Moul leads the team with 22 tackles. George Mullins has Delaware’s only interception, while the defense has also recovered six fumbles.

Injuries: Tyler Salazer (questionable), Brian Rehmann (out), Greg Spiller (out).

Virginia Cavaliers Trying to Rebound at Home

Virginia started with convincing wins over NC State and Norfolk State before losing 38-27 to West Virginia. Beau Pribula has completed 42 of 58 passes for 514 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception, posting a 72.4% completion rate and 8.9 yards per attempt. Da'Shawn Martin has three catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns, while Kameron Courtney leads Virginia with 11 receptions for 77 yards. Xavier Brown has 69 receiving yards and a touchdown, and Jacquon Gibson has two touchdown catches.

The Cavaliers have rushed for 652 yards and five touchdowns on 132 attempts, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Jekail Middlebrook leads Virginia with 154 yards, while Brown has 125 yards at 6.3 per attempt and Xay Davis has 120 yards at 6.7 per carry. Virginia’s defense has recorded five sacks and four interceptions. Brandyn Hillman leads the secondary with three picks, while Nnanna Anyanwu has two sacks. Jacobie Henderson leads the Cavaliers with 23 tackles, followed by Fisher Camac with 16.

Injuries: Dakota Newton-Short (questionable), Thomas Hamann (questionable), Luke Ungar (questionable), J'Mari Stevens (questionable), Trell Ward (questionable), Jason Hammond (out).

Key to the Game

Delaware’s passing attack needs to create enough explosive plays to offset Virginia’s advantage on the ground. Minicucci is averaging 8.6 yards per pass attempt, with Wilson and Lofton each averaging at least 16 yards per reception. Virginia can counter with a rushing attack averaging 4.9 yards per carry and four players already above 100 yards. Turnovers are another major factor. Pribula has thrown only one interception, while Minicucci has thrown three. Delaware’s pass rush must disrupt Pribula, but it will not be enough.

Delaware vs Virginia Game Pick

• Virginia -19.5

Virginia is the pick at home. The Cavaliers have the more balanced rushing attack, totaling 652 yards compared with Delaware’s 303, and Pribula has completed 72.4% of his passes with seven touchdowns against one interception. Delaware can threaten through the air, but Minicucci has already been sacked eight times. Virginia has several productive running backs and can rotate fresh options throughout the game. That balance, along with home field at Scott Stadium, favors the Cavaliers to earn their third victory.

Delaware vs Virginia Over/Under Pick

• Over 52.5

The play is over. Virginia has scored 34, 59 and 27 points in its first three games, while Delaware has scored 42, 26 and 22. The Blue Hens have averaged 9.0 yards per pass attempt as a team, and Virginia has averaged 8.5 through the air while adding 652 rushing yards. Delaware also allowed 35 points at Vanderbilt, and Virginia surrendered 38 against West Virginia. With each offense producing explosive passing plays, this matchup has enough scoring options for a high-scoring result.