Previewing NC State’s Opponent: Florida State

NC State will begin ACC play down in Tallahassee tonight at 7:30pm on ACC Network, but before they do, here’s a preview of the Seminoles.

FSU is never an easy victory in Doak Campbell Stadium, winning 76% of their games at home.

With that being said, the Wolfpack have never been an easy victory for the Seminoles, even when they were a perennial powerhouse. Since 2000, 12 of the 19 games have been decided by 10 points or less. Eight of those 12 games have been decided by 7 points or less. Only Miami and Clemson have played the Noles that close through the past two decades.

This years FSU squad is carried by Junior Running Back Cam Akers, who leads the ACC in rushing yards per game (124.8), and rushing touchdowns on the year (6). Last year, the Wolfpack wasn’t intimdated by Akers, holding him to 29 yards rushing (2.9 yards per carry), and he didn’t do that much better his Freshman year, rushing for 56 yards (4.7 yards per carry).

Redshirt Quarterback James Blackman’s first career game was against the Wolfpack after Deondre Francois went down with a season ending injury his Freshman season. Even though he technically redshirted last year, he did play in 3 games under the new rules, and managed to blast the NC State secondary for 421 yards and 4 touchdowns. He currently ranks 6th in the ACC in passing yards per game (242.5), 3rd in touchdown passes (9), and 5th in passing efficiency (155.8). It’s looking like he is set to play, despite spraining his MCL last week.

Blackman has a stud to throw it to in Sophomore Tamorrion Terry. As a True Freshman last year, he led the Noles in receiving yards (744) and touchdown receptions (8). Terry was a Preseason All-ACC selection, and hasn’t disappointed thus far, with 16 receptions for 307 yards (2 touchdowns). Standing 6’4”, he is averaging a gaudy 19.2 yards per reception.

Junior Defensive Tackle Marvin Wilson is a force in the middle for Florida State. Wilson earned All-ACC Honorable Mention last year, and was a beast against Louisville last weekend, with 10 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. He is a projected 2nd round pick next year, and could go in the 1st.

The Seminoles have made a course correction from last year, and are turning their opponents over at a much higher clip. Through only 4 games, FSU is already halfway to last years total, recovering 7 fumbles and snagging 4 interceptions.

The Wolfpack is averaging 212 yards on the ground per game, but FSU might have something to say about that. Over the past two weeks, they’ve held UVA and Louisville to an average of 122 yards rushing. They held the Cavaliers to 50 yards under their season average, and the Cardinals 140 yards under theirs.