Florida State will look to avoid its first 0-3 start in more than four decades on Saturday as the Seminoles invade BB&T Field, looking for their first win. The opponent is the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, who are off to a 4-0 start.
After a 2-week layoff due to Hurricane Irma, the Seminoles were defeated at home by N.C. State last week, 27-21. Wake Forest was also involved in a tight game, but managed to prevail over Appalachian State, 20-19. As the Seminoles and Deacons get set to do battle, here are five things to watch:
1. John Wolford
The Wake Forest senior quarterback, John Wolford, has hardly been the subject of praise over his career, but seems to finally be putting it all together. So far this season, Wolford is completing better than 60 percent of his passes, but more importantly has yet to commit a turnover. He also leads the Demon Deacons with 269 yards rushing. Wolford has 11 total touchdowns without an interception and will be facing an FSU defense yet to come up with a takeaway.
Throughout his career against FSU however, Wolford has been dreadful. In three career games against the Seminoles, the Wake quarterback is just 25-for-50 passing for 242 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions.
2. Freshman Running Backs
Florida State fans are eager to see more of phenom Cam Akers, who rushed for 55 yards on 12 carries last week. Akers, in his limited time on campus, has shown a remarkable shiftiness and is explosive in the open field. Akers, a highly-touted recruit, did make some freshman mistakes last week, like trying to bounce things on 3rd-and-short.
FSU however, isn’t the only one with a talented freshman running back. Wake Forest’s Arkeem Byrd, a redshirt, has been a big reason for the Demon Deacons’ improved running game. His 233 yards rushing ranks second on the team and best among running backs. He’s also averaging a team-best 6.1 yards per carry.
3. The FSU Passing Game
There is a chance that Florida State leading receiver Auden Tate won’t be in action on Saturday and if that happens, FSU has a very limited corps of experienced receivers. George Campbell and Keith Gavin have made noticeable strides this year, but it is also worth noting that this will be freshman quarterback James Blackman’s first career road start. Once Tate left the game last week, things ran noticeably less smoothly for the FSU aerial attack. If Tate is limited or unable to go, guys like Gavin and Campbell will need to make plays.
4. FSU Offensive Line vs. Wake Defensive Line
For the third game in a row, Florida State will be facing another very good defensive line. Wake Forest, led by senior defensive end Duke Ejiofor, is a deep and talented group. Where Wake Forest has lacked this season however, is when it comes to getting to the quarterback.
The Demon Deacons have just six sacks. James Blackman took a lot of hits for the Seminoles last week and he’d be greatly helped by a better week in pass protection from Alec Eberle, Landon Dickerson, Derrick Kelly and the rest of the offensive line.
5. Star Safeties
Florida State safety Derwin James is again expected to be the best player on the field this week in Winston-Salem. James ranks second on the team with 14 total tackles, but had an off week by his standards against N.C. State. Expect James to bounce back and be a bigger factor this week, especially when it comes to putting pressure on the quarterback.
Wake Forest has a talented redshirt sophomore safety of its own in Jessie Bates. Bates leads the Demon Deacons with 25 total tackles to go with an interception and a forced fumble. Bates finished with eight tackles and an interception in last season’s 17-6 loss in Tallahassee.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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