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N.C. State vs Florida State: Preview

By Luke Tucker

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 31: Larrell Murchison #92and Xavier Lyas #97 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack celebrate after a defensive stop against the East Carolina Pirates during the second half of their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 31: Larrell Murchison #92and Xavier Lyas #97 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack celebrate after a defensive stop against the East Carolina Pirates during the second half of their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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N.C. State football takes on the Seminoles in the Wolfpack’s ACC Opener

Who: N.C. State Wolfpack (3-1) at Florida State Seminoles (2-2)

When: Saturday September 28, 2019 – 7:30 P.M. EST

Where: Doak S. Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL

TV channel: ACC Network

Line: Florida State -6.5

Weather: Clear, 93°at kickoff

Last Week:

N.C. State defeated Ball State, 34-23, at home to close the non-conference portion of its schedule. Florida State beat Louisville, 35-24, to secure its first ACC win of the year.

One Player to Watch for Florida State:

Junior Running Back, Cam Akers

Akers ranks fourth in the country in rushing yards, totaling 499 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground through just four games this season. Akers also has 97 receiving yards for two more scores, including a 44-yarder against Louisiana-Monroe. The junior was the nation’s top-ranked running back coming out of high school, and is on pace for his best collegiate season in 2019.

RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 03: Cam Akers #3 of the Florida State Seminoles runs with the ball against James Smith-Williams #39 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 03: Cam Akers #3 of the Florida State Seminoles runs with the ball against James Smith-Williams #39 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

Akers is a tough runner, but also has speed to break away, and has become a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield. On what has been somewhat of a scuffling team thus far, Akers has been the clear bright spot over Florida State’s first four games. The Wolfpack must have a game plan for #3 if they want to win.

If N.C. State Wins:

The Wolfpack will have notched its third-straight win over Florida State, and start 1-0 in the ACC for the fourth-consecutive season. A win over the Seminoles would be a nice confidence-booster heading into the bye week before taking on Syracuse at home in a Thursday-night, primetime matchup. Also, a road victory would give the team an opportunity to avenge the loss at West Virginia.

If N.C. State Loses:

A Wolfpack loss would immediately put N.C. State behind the 8-ball in the ACC Atlantic standings, and could lead to increased scrutiny on the Wolfpack’s quarterback situation. There has already been a fair amount of quarterback outcry, especially following the loss up in Morgantown. A loss would be a real crusher with upcoming games against Syracuse, Boston College, Wake Forest, and Clemson–three of which have been in the AP rankings at some point this season, and the fourth (Wake Forest)  is currently undefeated.

Prediction:

Florida State has continued to be a mess in Willie Taggart’s second season at the helm, with wins over Louisiana-Monroe and a less-than-great Louisville team. That being said, the Seminoles still have one of the most prolific passing attacks in the country, while the Wolfpack struggles to defend the pass. If N.C. State can limit the Florida State aerial attack, they will win the game. Unfortunately for the Wolfpack, it hasn’t shown it can do that so far in 2019.

Florida State 35 N.C. State 31

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