FSU Preview: Florida State at Wake Forest

Saturday at 12 noon on ABC the ‘Noles will be in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to play the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.

Wake Forest is 4-3 with wins over Elon, Vanderbilt, Old Dominion and Pittsburgh and losses to Georgia Tech, Clemson and Virginia Tech.

FSU holds a 30-9-1 all-time record over the Demon Deacons but have lost 3 straight. The last win in the series for Florida State was in 2018, 38-17.

Observations from the last game

Doak was in a frenzy from the jump. The crowd was a factor and even caused a couple pre-snap penalties.

Jordan Travis had one bad play and other than that he played his best game since LSU. He threw for 268 yards, ran for 64 yards and scored 3 touchdowns.

The defense was dominant once again holding another opponent to 0 points in the 2^nd half. Yes, Duke had 20 points total, but the defense really only gave up 10.

Florida State offense versus Wake Forest defense

The Wake Forest defense has been improving as the season has progressed and needs to step it up even more against the explosive Florida State offense. Even with the improvement Wake is 52^nd in yards allowed per rush and 102^nd (out of 130) in yards allowed passing per game.

Jordan Travis should have another great game through the air throwing to the trio of tight ends and Keon Coleman. After wearing down the defense and forcing a safety to move back FSU is going to use its 4 running backs to move the ball.

Players on the Wake defense to watch are linebacker Jacob Roberts, who leads the team with 55 tackles and 5 sacks, and defensive backs Malik Mustapha and Evan Slocum.

Florida State defense versus Wake Forest offense

The Deacon’s offense has given FSU fits recently with its funky run-pass-option system and their experienced players. The system is still there but they had to replace the QB and the whole O-line.

However, Wake does return talented receiver Jahmal Banks (433 yards receiving and 33 catches) and running backs Demond Claiborne (471 yards rushing) and Justice Ellison. Starting quarterback Mitch Griffis might be able to return this weekend. If he does not play Santino Marucci will make his second straight start.

The ‘Noles have done a great job staying disciplined against the run in the last 3 games and need to keep it up against Wake.  If FSU can put WFU in passing situations I expect defensive ends Jared Verse, Patrick Payton and d-tackle Braden Fiske to pressure the quarterback all game. The Seminoles should get a few sacks versus an offense that is ranked 127^th in sacks allowed per game.

Special Teams

Advantage: Florida State (ESPN’s #1 ranked special teams unit)

Prediction

Wake likes to play fast so there will be more possessions and points than were used to seeing but the ‘Noles pass rush and Travis will be too much for the Deacons. Florida State 41 Wake Forest 21.