In a rematch of one of the most exciting match-ups last year, N.C . State (4-3, 1-2 ACC) takes on Florida State (4-3, 2-2 ACC) in Tallahassee, Fla., with both teams looking to get their season up and running after a surprisingly slow start.
Florida State was ranked fifth in pre-season polls, but, after losses against ACC foes Clemson and Wake Forest, now finds itself unranked. The Pack, fresh from its first conference win against Virginia, will be hoping to capitalize on that.
However, neither team can be too sure in a match-up that has seen both teams claim even honors in the last 10 fixtures.
Defense has been one of the bigger problems for the Pack, but after allowing just 249 yards against Virginia last Saturday, compared to the 412 it has been averaging all season, graduate defensive tackle Markus Kuhn believes the practice sessions have made all the difference.
“It all starts in practice. I think us practicing better and practicing with more enthusiasm is what helped the most,” Kuhn said. “It’s the focus in practice and the sense of urgency. People understand more and more what they have to do and be where they are supposed to be.”
Another weak point for the Pack was the offensive line. Though it was supposed to be a strength going into the season, the line gave up 17 sacks through the first six games. But the game against the Cavaliers told a completely different story.
Redshirt junior offensive guard R.J . Mattes felt the offensive line, which didn’t allow any sacks against Virginia, needed to improve not only for the team, but for redshirt junior Mike Glennon as well.
“We’ve been getting better each and every week. O-line is getting better, we’re allowing fewer sacks each game and take hits off Mike,” Mattes said. “He’s out there controlling the offense, you can see it with his stats.”
Mattes felt he and his fellow offensive linemen would have to really be on their toes to counter the Seminoles defensive line that ranks amongst the best in the country.
‘They are real athletic guys. We’ve got to put our track shoes on for the defensive ends, seeing how quick they are off the ball,” Mattes said. “We have to have perfect steps and perfect sets. Otherwise they are going to beat you right off the edge.”
Regardless of the win-loss record or ranking of the Noles , coach Jimbo Fisher has recruited two consecutive classes during his tenure that ranked in the nation’s top 10 and No. 1 in the ACC, according to Rivals.com .
Coach Tom O’Brien acknowledged Florida State and praised the consistency they’ve shown over the years.
“When you win national championships or you’re in the top-10 for 10 or 15 years in a row that says a lot,” O’Brien said. ”They have their marquee tomahawk chop, they’re on television a lot, and I think they’ve marketed well. Once they got to a certain level they were able to maintain it.”
O’Brien also went to state the threat possessed by Florida State quarterback E.J . Manuel who is a key part of the offense that averages over 300 yards of passing per game.
“He’s another dual-threat guy with a big strong arm,” O’Brien said. “He’s a tough guy to get on the ground when he pulls the ball down and takes it. He’s a 230-pound guy, he’s a big strong runner. He’s not afraid to pull it down and run with it, run option with it and run the zone read scheme. He’s very capable to take off and run.”
One of O’Brien’s main concerns was the protection of Glennon getting sacked or pressured by the Seminoles defense which is not only ranked No. 1 in the ACC but is also ranked 12th in the country.
“You have to be concerned about your quarterback,” O’Brien said. “You don’t want him taking any hits, but sometimes it’s not avoidable. I think he’s shown a lot of toughness and a lot of resilience. These guys can bring a lot of pressure.
“They sacked Maryland six times and knocked one of their quarterbacks out of the game, so it’s definitely a concern for us.”
Kickoff is set for noon, which was something O’Brien was looking forward to especially in a place like the Doak Campbell Stadium, where nights can get very intimidating.
“A lot of places are like that [ Doak Campbell Stadium], especially where tailgating is big,” O’Brien said. “I think our crowds are much better at night than they are at 12 noon too, when people get the opportunity to get revved up and ready to go.”
