Advertisement

NC State vs Florida State football first look: Odds, top story line and game key

N.C. State was excited about facing Clemson in a matchup of unbeatens on Saturday, in a game anticipated since the start of the season.

Things might be a little more tense this week in a matchup of once-beatens.

The Wolfpack is coming off the 30-20 loss at Clemson, dropping to No. 14 in The AP poll. Florida State also suffered its first loss Saturday, losing 31-21 to Wake Forest to tumble out of the rankings.

Neither the Wolfpack nor the Seminoles want back-to-back losses, but one team will be saddled with that. It should make for that kind of game Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium, both teams a little salty.

As coaches like to say, the best tonic for a tough loss is to win the next game. That’s why many ask their teams “What now?” after a loss. Wallow in it or put it behind?

N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren watches during a timeout during the second half of Clemson’s 30-20 victory over N.C. State at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022.
N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren watches during a timeout during the second half of Clemson’s 30-20 victory over N.C. State at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022.

NCSU coach Dave Doeren is a “put-it-behind” kind of coach, even though a loss like Saturday’s to the No. 5 Tigers eats at him. It’s on to the next thing. It has to be.

The Wolfpack (4-1 overall, 0-1 ACC) had plenty of juice when it hosted Texas Tech a few weeks ago. State painted Carter-Finley red — the red LED lights did — and the Pack came away with a 27-14 win.

The Wolfpack will need that same kind of energy and effort against the rejuvenated Seminoles (4-1, 2-1). FSU coach Mike Norvell called the ‘Noles’ loss at home to Wake Forest disappointing, naming several reasons why.

“I thought our guys really started almost pressing when we had a little bit of adversity that showed up, we did a lot of uncharacteristic things,” Norvell told reporters Saturday in Tallahassee, Florida.

“I thought we did show heart. I thought our guys did battle back. But we made some mistakes throughout the game that you just cannot have and beat a good team. We lost our focus in times of adversity.”

That should sound familiar to the Pack. Sort of like a QB losing focus and fumbling a snap on a key fourth-down play in the fourth quarter — quarterback Devin Leary making that mistake against Clemson.

“Life’s not a fairy tale,” Norvell said. “You’re going to face some things. The key to it is the response.”

Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman (10) tries to stiff arm Florida State defensive back Jammie Robinson (10) in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Tallahassee.
Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman (10) tries to stiff arm Florida State defensive back Jammie Robinson (10) in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Tallahassee.

Game key: moving the chains

In Wake Forest’s win Saturday, the Demon Deacons hurt the Seminoles by converting 10-of-18 on third-down plays, running off 85 plays to FSU’s 63.

Norvell said the Deacons were “able to play ahead of the chains” and were in a lot of “third-and-manageable” situations.

The Pack offense was 5-of-14 on third-down conversions against Clemson, although NCSU had one more play than the Tigers in the game. The Tigers’ defense often made “manageable” unmanageable.

Wake Forest also hurt FSU with a balanced attack — 234 yards passing, 171 rushing. Can the Pack match that kind of balance this week, in the 8 p.m. game to be shown by the ACC Network?

Vegas betting odds

The Vegas oddsmakers have made the Pack a 3.5-point favorite over the Seminoles. N.C. State beat FSU 28-14 in Tallahassee a year ago as Leary threw for 314 yards and four scores.

N.C. State vs Florida State game and TV info

Who: Florida State (4-1, 2-1) at No. 14 N.C. State (4-1, 0-1)

Where: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh

When: Saturday, 8 p.m.

TV: ACC Network

Stream: ESPN+