The Daily Nole

What to Watch For Wednesday: Noles Visit Wake, FSU Hoops Hosts Exhibition

Phil Kelly/FSU athletics

A busy week is upcoming for Florida State as eight of the school’s 20 athletic programs have officially began their seasons. That does not include teams like tennis with players competing as individuals.

Other seasons like for FSU men’s and women’s basketball are just around the corner. As is our Wednesday routine, we now tell you what to watch for in FSU athletics over the next week:

1. FSU football visits Wake Forest
After a blowout loss to then No. 2 Clemson, Florida State heads to Winston-Salem on Saturday night for a pivotal game against Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons are 5-1 and had sneaked into the top 25 before a 62-59 loss last week to Louisville. Wake Forest quarterback Jamie Newman leads the ACC in passing yards, touchdown passes and passer rating. Sophomore receiver Sage Surratt leads the ACC with 711 yards receiving and nine touchdown catches.

Defensively, Wake Forest ranks ninth in the ACC in total defense and 10th in scoring defense. FSU is yielding the most points per game in the ACC and the second-most yards. Defensive tackle will be the position to watch for both teams with Carlos Basham headlining the Demon Deacons and Marvin Wilson and Cory Durden doing likewise for the Seminoles. Hamsah Nasirildeen, a junior safety, leads FSU with 39 total tackles, three forced fumbles and an interception.

The FSU offense had its worst game of the season on Saturday in a 45-14 loss at Clemson. It is unclear whether James Blackman or Alex Hornibrook will be the starting quarterback on Saturday. The two skill players to watch for the FSU offense are leading receiver Tamorrion Terry, who has 467 yards and five touchdown grabs, and running back Cam Akers, who is tied with Surratt for the most touchdowns in the ACC. FSU has won seven straight over Wake Forest. The teams meet at 7:30 p.m. EST in a contest that will air on ACC Network.

2. FSU hoops hosts first exhibition
Florida State will play its first of two exhibitions next Tuesday against Barry University. Barry is a Division II school in South Florida. The Seminoles are coming off a Sweet 16 run, but are losing six seniors. Senior guard Trent Forrest was named second-team All-ACC in the preseason and to the Bob Cousy Award watch list. Other FSU players to watch include junior M.J. Walker, sophomore Devin Vassell and freshman Patrick Williams. The exhibition will serve as FSU’s annual Aubrey Boyd Foundation game.

3. FSU soccer hosts Miami
Florida State and Florida have already met on the volleyball court and the soccer field, but the first meeting between the Seminoles and rival Miami takes place Friday on the soccer field. FSU is coming off a tough overtime loss to No. 1 Virginia after winning nine straight matches. Deyna Castellanos leads the Seminoles in both goals and assists and ranks third in the ACC in total points. Miami is just 4-6-2 on the season and 1-4-1 in ACC play. The match happens on Friday at 5 p.m. EST and airs on Raycom Sports Network.

4. FSU cross country takes part in UAB Blazer Invitational
After strong showings at the FSU Invitational, the FSU cross country teams will be back in Alabama for the UAB Blazer Invitational on Friday. The FSU women managed a second-place finish at their home meet last week. Jacob Holmes was named ACC Men’s Performer of the Week after finishing 11th. FSU’s Erin Phelps earned ACC Women’s Performer of the Week and Yasmine Abbes was ACC Women’s Freshman of the Week.

5. FSU swimming and diving hosts Minnesota
For the third straight meet, FSU women’s swimming and diving will be facing a ranked team. After falling to No. 16 Notre Dame and No. 22 Duke, the Seminoles will face No. 18 Minnesota on Saturday for the “Paint it Pink” meet. The FSU men bounced back from a season-opening loss to No. 12 Notre Dame to top Duke. The Golden Gophers are unranked on the men’s side. The FSU men are No. 17 in the CSCAA Poll while the women are 24th.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. Like The Daily Nole on Facebook. To pitch an idea, author a post or to learn more about The Daily Nole, email Mike Ferguson at Mike@TheDailyNole.com.

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