FSU Preview: Florida State at North Carolina State

On Friday at 8 p.m. FSU will be in Raleigh to take on the NC State Wolfpack on ESPN.

The Wolfpack are 5-5 on the season with wins over East Carolina, Virginia, Wake Forest, Campbell and Georgia Tech and losses to Duke, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh and Miami.

FSU is 26-16 all time versus NC State but has lost 3 straight. The ‘Noles last win in the series was in 2019.

Observations from the last game

The offense started slow once again but the defense played well enough to keep the team in the game. The ‘Noles used their rushing attack to control the game and eventually hit some big pass plays to break the game open. FSU played with energy and focus that resulted in only a few mistakes, 0 turnovers and only 1 penalty.

Duce Robinson had another big game with 6 catches, 134 yards and a touchdown.

Mandrell and Darryl Desir and Darrell Jackson harassed the quarterback most of the game. The improved pass rush has been a big help for the defense the last few games.

Florida State offense versus NC State defense

As usual FSU will try to establish the run, and they should be able to against the 54^th ranked defense versus the run. Running backs Ousmane Kromah and the emerging Sam Singleton and QB Thomas Castellanos are going to get plenty of carries.

If the running game has any problem, they’ll look to Castellanos who could set another career mark in passing yards against a Wolfpack defense that is dead last in the country (FBS) in yards given up through the air with 320 per game. Once the safeties come down to help with the run it might be a good day for the Seminole offense.

Key players for the NC State defense are linebackers Caden Fordham, who has 103 tackles (9^th in the nation), Kenny Soares and Cian Stone.

Florida State defense versus NC State offense

The Wolfpack offense is led by quarterback CJ Bailey, who has 2,500 yards passing and 24 total touchdowns. He can make mistakes with 9 interceptions and 15 sacks taken. The main playmaker on the offense is running back Hollywood Smothers. Smothers has 823 yards rushing, 30 catches to go with 7 total touchdowns. Other pass catchers that Bailey likes are receivers Terrell Anderson and Noah Rogers to go with tight end Justin Joly.

I think the ‘Noles will slow down Smothers and the run game leading to a few 3^rd and long situations. This should force the quarterback to make the play with arm or his feet. I think FSU makes enough plans on 3^rd down to help win the game.

Special Teams

Even

Prediction

FSU has played deflated on the road leading to bad performances and NC State has some big wins at home this season. But I think FSU plays with more urgency and it’s just enough as FSU wins to become bowl eligible.

Florida State 34 NC State 31