Florida State football looking to gain momentum vs. NC State

Florida State football hosts the NC State Wolfpack Saturday evening at Bowden Field. Here’s a preview, prediction and live stream.

Both the Seminoles and the Wolfpack have something to prove in this game. The Wolfpack must prove they can beat a good team with their wins coming against East Carolina, Western Carolina and Ball State. The Seminoles need to prove they can put a game together for four quarters.

They’ve jumped out to quick leads in every game this year, losing all of them, and splitting their four games with a 2-2 record.

If the Wolfpack hope to win this game, they pin their hopes on sophomore quarterback Matthew McKay. He has to be better, and this is his biggest test to date. This is the most athletic defense he’s seen in his young college career. Fortunately for McKay, the Seminole defense isn’t playing up to the level of their potential, so he might have a good game after all.

The Seminoles come into this game looking to continue to improve. Although they lost the lead against Louisville — again — they bounced back and outplayed the Cardinals in the fourth quarter on their way to winning the game. They desperately need to string consecutive wins and good games together for their confidence.

If you plan on tuning in, here’s how to watch:

Date: Saturday, Sept. 28
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Tallahassee, Fla.
Location: Doak Campbell Stadium
TV: ACC Network
Stream: ESPN+ with ACC Network subscription

Keys to Victory

The key to the game for the Wolfpack is the running game. You have to think that Dave Doeren and the NC State offensive staff want to protect McKay as much as possible. Doeren would prefer McKay not put it in the air 34 times like he did against Ball State.

If they can run better than they did against the Cardinals, that would be a plus for the Wolfpack. Conversely, if the Seminoles can take away the run game, and put the game on McKay’s shoulders that is advantage Seminoles.

Florida State’s formula is simple; play a complete game. Self-regulate and manage the game for four quarters. If you jump out to a lead do what you have to do to hold it. This might sound a little nuts to coach Taggart, and offensive coordinator Kendall Briles, but you might want to slow down a tad on offense to keep your defense fresh, and on the field for fewer possessions.

Oh, and get your best offensive player — running back Cam Akers — the ball as much as possible in this game.

Betting Odds

Courtesy of Bovada

Line: Florida State -6.5
Over/Under: 62

Prediction

I like Florida State in this one if for nothing else, I haven’t seen NC State play yet. When the Seminoles get it going, they are hard to stop. That West Virginia loss is sticks out like a sore thumb. They beat NC State before they got going, and the Wolfpack were discombobulated in that game. They also struggled to run against Ball State. I know FSU hasn’t been great on D, but if Ball State can limit the ‘Pack running game, the Seminoles should be able to as well.

Final Score: Florida State 38, NC State 28