Florida State returns to the field on Saturday following almost an entire month of no action. Hurricane Irma’s destruction meant no football for the Noles, who now return to Tallahassee to take on head coach Dave Doeren and the N.C. State Wolfpack.
Joining The Daily Nole to talk about the contest is the News & Observer’s N.C. State beat reporter Joe Giglio. Below, we discuss his pre-season predictions for the Pack, which key match-ups to watch out for on Saturday and how the N.C. State defense will attack FSU’s offense.
N.C. State followed up a disappointing opening loss to South Carolina with two relatively smooth wins over Marshall and Furman. What were your expectations for the Wolfpack entering 2017, and have they changed at all after three weeks?
Giglio: Before the season started, I thought N.C. State could win nine games during the regular season. Without the win over South Carolina, that will be difficult to do. N.C. State does have a knack for winning a game it’s not supposed to, but it has the same knack for losing a game it isn’t supposed to, either.
Ryan Finley has looked good against FSU in the past, throwing for 304 yards and one touchdown during last season’s match-up. What does Finley have to do for N.C. State to win this game?
Giglio: Finley turned the ball over early in last year’s game on a poor decision. He has to avoid those plays, and for the most part this season, he has done that. With Florida State’s pass rush, and N.C. State’s shaky offensive line, Finley will need to get the ball out of his hands early.
Finley, Jaylen Samuels and Nyheim Hines are three players who have had great starts to 2017. Who are some lesser-known players that fans should watch out for on Saturday?
Giglio: Sophomore receiver Kelvin Harmon has gotten off to a good start for N.C. State but there aren’t any secrets to N.C. State’s offense. They want to get Samuels and Hines in mismatches and get them the ball. It will be interesting to see what FSU does with Samuels. They’ve held him in check for the most part the past two years. Hines had a really good game against them last year.
The Seminoles will start true freshman James Blackman at quarterback following the injury to Deondre Francois. How do you see the Pack attacking FSU’s offense and how much success do you think they’ll have?
Giglio: I don’t think N.C. State will fundamentally change what it does for Blackman, per se. They held FSU, with a healthy Dalvin Cook, to 63 rushing yards last year. They’ll start by trying to duplicate that effort and take away the run. N.C. State’s secondary is not very good, though, so they really can’t afford many tricks to fool anyone, even a quarterback making his first college start.
Which match-ups do you like for N.C. State’s defense against the Seminole offense, and vice versa? Which ones concern you?
Giglio: Florida State’s offensive line is obviously not great. N.C. State’s defensive front is its strength. South Carolina, Marshall and Furman have all used short, timing routes to get rid of the ball before N.C. State’s pass rush could get there. I suspect, FSU will do the same.
Same problem for N.C. State against FSU’s front. N.C. State’s not great up front and has had its problems running the ball without Matt Dayes.
N.C. State holds a pretty significant advantage in experience, as the Noles haven’t seen the field since Sept. 2. How much of an impact do you think that will have on Saturday’s outcome?
Giglio: That’s the question. FSU clearly has more talent than N.C. State, but the Noles are missing their quarterback and haven’t played in what will be three weeks. In theory, that should be an advantage for N.C. State.
Finally, give us a prediction. FSU is currently a 12-point favorite – who wins on Saturday and why?
Giglio: N.C. State has been competitive with Florida State and Clemson the past two years but hasn’t been able to breakthrough for a win. The conditions are right for N.C. State to steal a game, but I think FSU’s defense will be up to the task. FSU, 20-14.
Special thanks to Joe Giglio for taking the time to stop by. For all things N.C. State, be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @jwgiglio and check out his work at NewsObserver.com.
Josh Mixon covers Florida State athletics for The Daily Nole and co-hosts the Giving ‘Em The Business Podcast on Soundcloud. You can find him on Twitter @joshmixon10.
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