Get Off The Field on Third Down
This key is the biggest, but all of these are tied together. NC State consistently had UVA in third and 7+ situations in the first half (at least five times), and the Cavaliers found ways to convert. UVA scored 24 points in that first half, but once UVA started failing to convert on third downs in the second half, they only scored seven points.
FSU held Alabama to six of 17 on third-down conversions, but Alabama left some of those plays on the field because they failed to execute. Some of that was due to FSU, but some of it was sheerly on Alabama.
UVA hasn’t allowed a sack all season, but NC State only averages one sack per game. The expectation is that the no sack stat will change come Friday night. FSU may not get a ton of sacks, but Morris will likely be under more pressure than he’s faced all season.
Morris and some of his teammates will likely make a few plays, but consistently making tough plays to move the chains is something that points to a low probability of happening.
If FSU gets off the field on third downs at a high rate, gets the ball back to the FSU offense? It could get ugly for UVA.