After a heartbreaking loss to South Carolina in Charlotte to open the year, North Carolina State has won consecutive games. The Wolfpack have historically been a thorn in the side of the Seminoles and this week could be no different as N.C. State invades Tallahassee for FSU’s home opener.
N.C. State beat FSU in two of the first three years the Seminoles were under head coach Jimbo Fisher, but have since lost four straight in the series. The Wolfpack haven’t won in Tallahassee since 2005.
On N.C. State
Record: 2-1
Offensive Ranks: 24th in yards per game (493), 13th in passing yards per game (334.7), 76th in rushing yard per game (158.3), 36th in points per game (38).
Defensive Ranks: 51st in yards per game allowed (342), 91st in passing yards per game allowed (253.7), 12th in rushing yards per game allowed (88.3), 63rd in points per game allowed (23.7).
Last Game: Defeated Furman on Saturday, 49-16.
On Offense
Junior quarterback Ryan Finley seems to be taking the next step for North Carolina State as he’s averaged 329 yards per game passing without an interception through three games. Finley is surrounded by a nice corps of skill players headlined by versatile tight end Jaylen Samuels and running back Nyheim Hines, a converted wide receiver. Sophomore Kelvin Harmon currently leads the team in receiving with 24 catches for 268 yards.
The offensive line for N.C. State is a veteran one with four juniors and one senior. That senior, guard Tony Adams, is the best player along the front. That unit has given up just five sacks so far this season, although the competition has not been the best.
On Defense
As was the case last season, N.C. State boasts a very good defense, especially against the run. The Wolfpack are one of the best run defenses in the country, led by a talented front seven. Defensive end Bradley Chubb is quietly one of the nation’s best with 1.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss so far this year. Kentavius Street is solid at the other end as is defensive tackle B.J. Hill.
At linebacker, Jerod Fernandez and Airius Moore are two very experienced seniors. The weakness for the Wolfpack defense is in the secondary, where big plays have been abundant. Some of those weaknesses last season were masked by safety Josh Jones, who now plays for the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. Shawn Boone and Johnathan Alston each have interceptions this season.
On Special Teams
Like Florida State, N.C. State’s special teams has been a mess so far this season. Nyheim Hines is a dangerous return man and A.J. Cole is a very good punter with eight of his 11 punts having been downed inside the 20-yard-line this year. The problem is N.C. State has already given up a kickoff return for a touchdown and is still bad as a field goal unit. Kicker Carson Wise is just 1-for-3 on field goal attempts this season, despite not attempting a kick longer than 38 yards.
Summary
N.C. State has enough talent to compete with anyone in the ACC, especially with an effective Ryan Finley. That was evidenced last year by close losses to FSU and eventual national champion Clemson. The Wolfpack are solid on offense and up front defensively, but the secondary is a concern. We’ll see if FSU can take advantage of that with a freshman quarterback making his first career start in James Blackman. Saturday’s contest provides an opportunity for the Wolfpack to put the season-opening loss behind them and make their biggest statement under head coach Dave Doeren.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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