Florida State will look to bounce back from the worst home loss in program history on Saturday as it travels to Raleigh to face North Carolina State.
Like FSU, NC State doesn’t exactly enter the contest with positive momentum. The Wolfpack have dropped consecutive games after a 5-0 start and fallen out of the traditional polls.
The Match-Up
Who: Florida State Seminoles (4-4, 2-4 ACC) at No. 21 NC State Wolfpack (5-2, 2-2 ACC)
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina
When: 3:30 p.m. EST
Network: ABC
Spread: NC State -9*
Last Week: FSU fell to Clemson, 59-10; NC State was defeated at Syracuse, 51-41.
Key Players
For Florida State
Deondre Francois, QB (R-Jr.): 61% completions, 2,039 yards passing, 13 TD, 7 INT, 2 rush TD
Brian Burns, DE (Jr.): 28 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 9 sacks, 3 FF, FR
Dontavious Jackson, LB (Jr.): 43 tackles, 4 TFL, FF
For NC State
Ryan Finley, QB (R-Sr.): 67% completions, 2,250 yards passing, 13 TD, 6 INT
Kelvin Harmon, WR (Jr.): 46 catches, 794 yards receiving, 4 TD catches
Germaine Pratt, LB (R-Sr.): 73 tackles, 8 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 2 FF
Series History
All-Time Series: Florida State leads 26-12
Last Meeting: NC State won in Tallahassee, 27-21 (Sept. 23, 2017)
Last Meeting in Raleigh: Florida State won, 24-20 (Nov. 5, 2016)
First Meeting: NC State won in Raleigh, 13-7 (Oct. 25, 1952)
Notable Contests
The first victory for NC State upon Florida State joining the ACC came in the 1998 conference opener. The No. 2 Seminoles scored on the first play of the game as quarterback Chris Weinke found Peter Warrick for a 74-yard touchdown, but that would be the lone highlight of the day. NC State receiver Torry Holt would have a monster day with 135 yards receiving and a touchdown to go with a 68-yard punt return for a touchdown. The Wolfpack defense would intercept Weinke six times in a 24-7 upset.
Both teams controlled their own destiny for the ACC title as the teams met in Tallahassee in mid-November 2003. FSU needed just a win to claim an 11th conference crown in 12 years and had kicker Xavier Beitia set up for a 32-yard field goal attempt in a tie game on the final play of regulation. The kick was blocked and the contest went to overtime. After exchanging touchdowns in the first overtime, FSU forced a turnover on downs. Running back Leon Washington would win the game for the Seminoles with a 12-yard scoring scamper in a thrilling 50-44 victory.
Undefeated and ranked third in the nation, FSU welcomed legendary head coach Bobby Bowden back to Doak Campbell Stadium to conclude October 2013. It was Bowden’s first trip back since retiring at the end of the 2009 season. The Seminoles responded by tying a school-record with 35 points in the first quarter of what was a 49-17 victory. Quarterback Jameis Winston passed for 292 yards and three touchdowns in the win while running back Devonta Freeman went for 92 yards on the ground and a pair of scores.
What’s at Stake
For Florida State: FSU will look to move to within one of bowl-eligibility, get back over .500 and beat a ranked opponent for the first time since Michigan in the Orange Bowl to close the 2016 season. FSU will also try to avoid losing to NC State in consecutive games for the first time since 2005 and 2006. The Seminoles look to avoid consecutive losing seasons in conference.
For NC State: NC State will look to become bowl-eligible and remain in the College Football Playoff rankings. The Wolfpack also seek to stay undefeated at home.
Fun Fact
Florida State is 5-5 in its last 10 trips to Raleigh. Among ACC teams, only Clemson has won more home games against the Seminoles since FSU joined the conference in 1992.
*According to Bovada
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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