#19 NC State Keys to Victory vs Florida State
TALLAHASSEE FL – The #19 NC State Wolfpack (6-2) travels to Florida State (3-5) to take on the Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Pack will attempt to win two straight after a much-needed victory a week ago over Louisville. Road games have been the kryptonite for this team in 2021, going just 1-2, but they should have the opportunity to turn it around against a struggling Seminoles defense that has surrendered 387 yards per game.
3 Keys to Victory & Score Prediction
Ground and pound: The Pack average 143 yards on the ground per game but could not get anything going against Louisville, tallying just 49 total yards. Their dynamic duo of Zonovan Knight and Ricky Person Jr. need to bounce back in a big way against the Seminoles. On the season, Knight leads the way with 542 yards and 3 touchdowns as Person Jr. is second in line with 459 yards and 4 touchdowns. Their offense is at its best when they can run the rock in the early stages of the game. That way, it opens up their vicious passing attack, which has been highly productive as of late. The good news is that the Seminoles defense struggles mightily defending the run giving up 162 yards per game. If the Pack can establish the rushing attack like they are capable of, it will be difficult to see the Seminoles having any shot of stopping this offense.
Prevent Jordan Travis from using his legs: Seminoles QB Jordan Travis has showcased his ability to tuck and run when he needs to. Specifically, in their victory over North Carolina a few weeks back, he took over the game on the ground, rushing for 121 yards off 14 carries while adding 2 touchdowns. He is third in rushing with 340 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and has 4 touchdowns on top of throwing for 11 and racking up 812 passing yards. The Pack needs to crash the outside, and their talented front seven is fully capable of avoiding Travis repeating a performance like this. If they take away Travis’s rushing attack, they will become one-dimensional and it will allow the Pack defense to put the pressure on this offense.
Get off to a quick start: This was something the Pack has struggled with as of late. Their offense always seems to turn it around drastically in the second half, but they must play a full 4 quarters to get a win on the road. They need to take advantage of a weak defense and not allow the home crowd to take away any of their momentum. Extending drives, being efficient on third downs, and not coughing up the football will give them the opportunity to get off to a fast start, and if they do, they should not have to look back.
Game prediction: NC State will snag their 7th victory of the season and with a huge road win defeating FSU 37-27.