FSU football vs. NC State Wolfpack preview and prediction
By Kelvin Hunt
FSU football Offense
The FSU offense all revolves around the offensive line and quarterback Jordan Travis. The FSU skill position players are among some of the best in the ACC. I think FSU will have to pass the ball well enough to open up the run.
We saw FSU attack a 3-3-5 defense with quick screens with Jordan Travis against Syracuse last year. FSU ran a lot of read option with McKenzie Milton against NC State last year and NC State didn’t respect him keeping the ball at all. They won’t be able to do that if FSU chooses to use Jordan Travis in the running game. I also like Mycah Pittman and Johnny Wilson to be big in the passing game. Wilson should eat if they try to go man-to-man, and Pittman is someone that can find holes in a zone.
FSU Defense
NC State isn’t great at running the ball and their quarterback can run it, but he’s no Malik Cunningham. They won’t have to worry about the slow mesh concept Wake Forest runs since they are a conventional offense. The Noles have to win the point of attack at the line of scrimmage and force NC State to throw it on third down. They will need to tackle well in space as NC State will throw screens to their running backs or run slants/crossing routes over the middle.
FSU cornerbacks can’t lose one-on-one situations like they did against Wake Forest.