FSU Football: 3 huge keys to Noles defeating NC State

By Kelvin Hunt | Nov 2, 2018

LOUISVILLE, KY - SEPTEMBER 29: Alec Eberle #54 of the Florida State Seminoles celebrates by displaying his tattoo of a tomahawk after the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Cardinal Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. Florida State came from behind to win 28-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Defense Get Off The Field On Third Down

The FSU defense has to get off the field on third down if they want a realistic shot at winning this game.

NC State converts third downs at a whopping 52 percent of the time. The ‘Noles defense allows teams to convert 35 percent of the time so something has to give.

I will say a lot of NC State’s success statistically has come against some poor teams. They’ve played the likes of James Madison, Georgia State and Marshall.

NC State was just 2 of 13 against Clemson and six of 15 against Syracuse in both losses. So obviously that’s a huge part of their success since they convert at such a high percentage.

The FSU defense will likely be the second best defense they’ll face and definitely the second best defensive line behind Clemson.

I don’t expect NC State to be able to run the ball that well, so preventing them from converting the third and 7’s and longer will be imperative.

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