FSU Football: Why N.C. State Could Be Trap Game For Noles in 2017

FSU football has had their battles in the past against the Wolfpack – and the way the schedule plays out this season, it could mean trouble for the Noles.

In what was probably the most important game of the 2016 season – due to the fact that FSU football was in a tail spin at 5-3 and trying to turn things around – the Seminoles had to come back on a cool November night to beat N.C. State on the road. It should be no surprise that Florida State struggled in Raleigh, a place where they have gone just 5-5 since the 1998 season.

Florida State Seminoles Football

This year, the Seminoles will host the Wolfpack earlier the season on September 23rd inside Doak Campbell Stadium – a place they have lost to N.C. State just twice in the 12 meetings since FSU football joined the ACC. However, it’s not the location of the game or the level of talent the Wolfpack will bring to town (far less than what FSU has) – it’s who the Noles play before hand.

The week before hosting N.C. State, the Seminoles will host hated rival Miami…and two weeks before that is the much anticipated opener with Alabama. No matter what the situation is after the first three games of the season, the Wolfpack could be a trap game for the Noles.

For example…

Situation No. 1 – The Seminoles are 3-0 and ranked as the top team in the country

Florida State is riding high after their win over the Crimson Tide – a potential No. 1 vs. No. 2 game – followed by their record setting eight straight win over the Hurricanes weeks later. At the same time that FSU football is likely the top team nationally, they are also sore and beat up from playing maybe their two toughest games of the year right away. That’s a dangerous recipe for a weaker team to come in and steal one.

Situation No. 2 – The Seminoles are 2-1 after dropping one of the first three games

This is the scenario most experts think will happen this season. Most think, at this point, that FSU drops the opener against Bama and beats Miami. But either way (and it would actually be better to lose to Bama if you HAD to, but we wont think that way), the Noles are not out of the picture for either the ACC title or the CFB Playoffs. At the same time, it makes almost every game from that point on a must-win…pressure that isn’t what you want starting so early in the year.

Situation No. 3 – The Seminoles are 1-2 after losing to both the Tide and Canes

This would be the absolute worst case scenario that FSU football fans need to wrap their heads around the idea that it could take place. Much like what took place in 2016, hopes of an ACC crown and playoff berth could be on life support if this is what’s going on – and the Wolfpack are fully capable of coming in and pulling the plug.

Must Read: Website Rips Game vs. FCS Foe For Seminoles in 2017

Fans of the Seminoles should known by now that it isn’t the best teams who always knock off Florida State. North Carolina last year, Georgia Tech in 2015…hell, even N.C. State in 2012. These are just a few examples of teams that FSU football had no business losing to recently but still did. That doesn’t mean the Noles need to be on upset alert right now – but no matter what the situation is before the game, the Wolfpack are a team to watch for the Seminoles.