The NC State football team will travel to Tallahassee to take on Florida State after a solid victory against Ball State last weekend. Although both the Wolfpack (3-1) offense and defense improved from the loss against West Virginia, their performance leaves more to be desired against stronger ACC opponents. The strength of the Wolfpack’s defense will especially be tested against the Seminoles’ (2-2) potent offense this Saturday.
Wolfpack secondary vs. Seminoles passing game
The Wolfpack’s secondary needs to step up significantly since allowing Ball State to pass for 333 yards and West Virginia to pass for 272. Although they forced an interception in each game, the passing yardage is a huge concern.
FSU starting quarterback James Blackman has thrown for 970 yards and 9 touchdowns with a 69.4% completion rate this season. He could possibly return this weekend after spraining his MCL last weekend against Louisville. Alex Hornibrook, the Seminoles’ backup, still threw for 255 yards and 2 passing touchdowns on 15-20 passing after Blackman’s exit. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Seminoles will be solid regardless. FSU’s receiving corps is strong as well with their top five receivers combining for 836 receiving yards. Two targets that need to be watched are Tamorrion Terry and Keyshawn Helton. Terry has 307 receiving yards on 16 receptions and two touchdowns while Helton has 188 receiving yards on 13 receptions and three touchdowns.
Senior cornerback Nick McCloud has been missing from the past three games due to a knee injury and will likely not play this Saturday since there has been no update on his status. Despite his absence, junior cornerback Chris Ingram performed phenomenally against Ball State and won ACC defensive-back of the week. He had nine solo tackles, two pass deflections and an interception. Sophomore safety Tanner Ingle also added on five solo tackles and half a tackle for a loss.
Wolfpack defensive line vs. Seminoles’ offensive line
The Wolfpack defensive line had a decent performance against Ball State contributing on a sack with three tackles for losses and six total tackles. With the NC State D-line lacking graduate James Smith-Williams last weekend, he is expected to return this Saturday against the Seminoles.
Florida State’s offensive line has not performed very well in pass protection this season, allowing James Blackman to be sacked 11 times in the three and a half games he’s played this season. NC State’s O-line has only allowed four sacks on the season. With the combination of Florida State’s weak pass protection and Smith-Williams’s return, the Wolfpack’s pass rush could be a strong force this Saturday.
Wolfpack linebackers vs. Seminoles’ running backs
NC State’s linebackers were a huge factor against Ball State, holding them to only 84 rushing yards. They also contributed greatly in forcing them to punt five times with important tackles down the stretch and 1.5 sacks. However, they will have a challenge of much greater magnitude against Florida State’s running back Cam Akers.
Akers has already rushed for 499 yards this season with six rushing touchdowns. He has been productive as a receiver as well as accumulating 97 receiving yards and adding on two receiving touchdowns. Akers will likely get the majority of the carries against, since he has 98 of the 121 rushes by running backs for FSU this season. Akers is crucial for the Seminoles’ high caliber offense, so if the Wolfpack linebackers slow the run game like they did against Ball State, they could hinder a very talented FSU offense.
