The NC State football team will make the trip to Tallahassee, Florida, this upcoming weekend to face No. 12 Florida State in its opening game of ACC competition.
The Wolfpack (2-1) has handily defeated both of its last two opponents, Marshall and Furman, after losing its season opener to South Carolina by a touchdown. The Seminoles (0-1) find themselves in a unique situation at this point in the season, having only played one game, a 24-7 loss to No. 1 Alabama on opening weekend.
The NC State football season got off to a painful start in Charlotte when, despite out-gaining the Gamecocks 504-246 in total yardage, the Pack lost 35-28. After a tough outing in the first half of its game against Marshall, however, NC State has outscored its opponents 63-16 in its last three halves.
When Florida State takes the field at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, it will have been 21 days since the last time the team played. The Seminoles’ second game of the season against Louisiana Monroe was canceled due to Hurricane Irma. The following week, Florida State’s game against Miami was postponed because of Irma as well.
In its opening game, the Seminoles took a major blow when starting quarterback Deondre Francois went down late in the fourth quarter with a knee injury. It was later released that the star dual-threat quarterback had suffered a patella tendon injury and would miss the remainder of the season.
Because of the Francois injury, true freshman James Blackman, a three-star recruit from Belle Glade, Florida, will make the start for the Seminoles. Blackman will be the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Florida State since 1985, but Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher isn’t worried.
“If I thought [he was not tough], I wouldn’t have thought he could play here, you know what I mean?” Fisher said in his press conference on Monday. “This kid can run, play, competitive, tough.
Blackman will be going up against the seasoned NC State defensive front four of seniors Bradley Chubb, Kentavius Street and B.J. Hill, and junior Darian Roseboro. The Wolfpack’s defensive line, widely considered among the best in the nation, will look to wreak havoc for the young Florida State quarterback.
Despite the Francois injury and the fact that the Seminoles have only played one game so far this season, Florida State enters Saturday’s game against NC State as a heavy favorite. The Wolfpack is currently listed as a 12.5-point underdog.
While NC State was able to take care of its previous two opponents with ease, keep in mind that Florida State is no Marshall or Furman. The Seminoles opened the season with the No. 3 national ranking and as preseason ACC favorites. Despite losing its quarterback, the team has every other weapon still available. It is also worthy to note that the ‘Noles are very well rested after not playing the past two weeks, and should be itching to get back on the field.
Senior all-purpose back Jaylen Samuels isn’t sure what to expect when facing a team with such a long break this early in the season.
“I don’t know if it’s a good thing or bad thing,” Samuels told the Charlotte Observer. “I don’t know if they’re going to come out rusty or if they’re going to come out fresh.”
A win here by either team will set the tone for the rest of the conference slate. Wins in ACC football are never easy to come by, and starting the season 1-0 is grossly valuable.
The opening kickoff is set for noon Saturday.
