After Hurricane Irma killed Florida State fans’ weekend plans two weeks in a row, the Seminoles return to action this Saturday against N.C. State. FSU will be looking to make it five straight over the Wolfpack while N.C. State looks for its first win at Doak Campbell Stadium since 2005.
After dropping its opener to South Carolina, N.C. State has won fairly easily in each of the last two weeks against Marshall and Furman. The Seminoles however, present a new challenge as they look to improve to 8-0 in home openers under head coach Jimbo Fisher. With kickoff set for high noon EST, here are five things to watch for on Saturday:
1. Quarterback Play
After an inconsistent 2016 season, Ryan Finley is off to a red hot start for the Wolfpack. Finley is completing 76 percent of his passes, averaging 329 yards per game through the air and has yet to throw an interception against six touchdown tosses. With Tarvarus McFadden and Derwin James in the defensive backfield, FSU presents the toughest challenge that Finley has seen yet. Finley was fairly successful against the Seminoles last season in Raleigh, throwing for 304 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 24-20 FSU victory.
Making his first career start for Florida State will be true freshman James Blackman. Blackman will become the first true freshman to start under center for the Seminoles in 32 years. N.C. State was able to bottle up Dalvin Cook last season and it will likely try that again and to force Blackman to win the game with his arm. Blackman will be facing an N.C. State secondary that is very suspect.
2. FSU Running Backs
After mustering just 40 yards on the ground against Alabama, FSU will hope for better results against an N.C. State that held it to just 63 yards rushing last season. Neither junior Jacques Patrick nor freshman Cam Akers were able to get much going against an Alabama defense that was the best nationally against the run last season. Being able to change that trend would greatly help out James Blackman.
3. FSU Offensive Line vs. N.C. State Defensive Line
If there’s an area where North Carolina State has to really like its changes, it’s against the FSU offensive line. That unit for the Seminoles held its own in pass protection against Alabama, although the ground game was non-existent. N.C. State presents another big challenge with talented players like ends Bradley Chubb and Kentavius Street and defensive tackle B.J. Hill. If FSU can’t create holes for its backs or give Blackman time, it is in for a long day offensively.
4. Jaylen Samuels
Florida State safety Derwin James is known for his versatility, but he won’t be the only star in Saturday’s game for which that is the case. N.C. State senior Jaylen Samuels is listed as a tight end, but is not unaccustomed to lining up out wide or in the backfield. This season, Samuels has 258 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns on just 34 touches. Last season, Samuels finished with 60 total yards and a touchdown against FSU, but remains a player that must be accounted for.
5. Special Teams
Heading into Saturday’s contest, special teams has been a major issue for both teams. The Seminoles were downright atrocious in their opener against Alabama, allowing a blocked field goal, a blocked punt and fumbling a kickoff. FSU punter Logan Tyler also averaged just a meager 31.5 yards per punt.
N.C. State has also had its troubles this season. A.J. Cole is a solid punter and Nyheim Hines is a dangerous return man, but a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by South Carolina’s Deebo Samuel was the difference in that game as the Wolfpack fell, 35-28. When it comes to field goals, kicker Carson Wise is also just 1-for-3 this season despite not attempting a kick longer than 38 yards.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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