NC State Wolfpack vs. Florida State Seminoles
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: Tallahassee
TV: ACCN
Line: Wolfpack -2.5
After a big win in Raleigh for Homecoming, the Wolfpack head back to Florida, hoping for a better result this time around. Let’s dig into the Saturday afternoon matchup.
Florida State Preview
A month into the season, the Seminoles were the laughing stock of not only the ACC, but the nation. An opening weekend loss to Notre Dame before losing to sub-division Jacksonville State made headlines everywhere. Currently they stand at 3-5, with those three wins coming in the last four weeks (Syracuse, UNC, UMass).
Of note, the Seminoles have been dealing with a nasty flu bug, leaving practice numbers fairly light this week. Name a player and there were some worries about whether they’d be ready to go today.
Here is how you stop the Seminoles: Don’t let them run the ball. Despite their record, FSU has a fantastic running game. In their eight games, they’ve gone over 200 rushing yards six times. Their average yards per rush is tenth in the nation. Running backs Jashaun Corbin (714 yards, 7.5 avg) and Treshaun Ward (440 yards, 7.1 avg) are workhorses that get their yards just about every time. Even quarterback Jordan Travis gets involved in the running game with 340 yards on the year. Throwing the ball, Travis is “fine”, sporting a 63% completion percentage but tends to extend plays too long and gets himself in trouble. Travis was hit hardest this week with the flu bug, with some rumors he might actually miss the game.
Florida State defense is stable, ranked 68th nationally in total defense. If you want to zero in on the problem area, it’s defensive end transfer, Jermaine Johnson. He’s averaging one sack per game, with 11 total tackles for loss. This defensive front will put pressure on Leary, allowing for their secondary to attempt to make some plays. While State’s running game struggled last week, they’ll have a chance to get back on track with a FSU defense giving up an average of 162 rushing yards per game.
Keys to Winning for the Wolfpack
To be honest, FSU is the football child of Miami and Louisville. From Miami they; have been playing much better of late, have home field advantage, steady pass rush, iffy secondary. From Louisville; mobile quarterback, will scramble and run, has receivers that can hurt you if you let them.
- Can the running defense hold up and contain again? Louisville’s Cunningham is much more athletic and poised than Travis, and State contained Cunningham just about as well as they could. This Seminole backfield, however, is a beast. While we don’t want to make this Durden versus FSU, he’ll need a heck of a game. Keep that center of the line push going with Joseph and these LBs controlling the edge. We NEED to keep the FSU running game in check.
- Can Leary finally go vertical in the first half? If you put up points early, you help bullet point one dramatically. Leary and the offense look much different in the second half in just about every game this season. Quick routes to get the ball off before this pass rush attacks, but the deep ball WILL be open. Can Beck dial up this backfield to go…I don’t know…right? Would also love to see a heavy dose of RPO’s and getting everybody in the WR and RB with the some pass plays.
- Can State start fast? Seminoles are coming off a disappointing game against Clemson (probably should have won) and then were nailed by the flu bug. If you ever needed to start fast, this is the game. A weird 4:00pm start time will help temper the crowd. State controls their path to the ACCC. It’s time to show up from the opening kickoff.
Predictions
This Florida State team is built to just stick around. Playing conservative on offense and not taking advantage of opportunities on defense, only helps FSU. Another week, another chance to get a win you absolutely need. O/U is 55.5 and not sure they’ll get there. Slow starts by all, but the Pack SQUEEK one out.
State 27-24
#GoPack
