Several members of the Inside Pack Sports staff predict the winner of the NC State-Florida State matchup.
James Henderson (IPS Publisher)
State 27, FSU 17
I feel like NC State is the better team, but this won’t be easy, as FSU has been competing.
Ultimately, the Pack makes more plays to pull out the win.
Steve Williams (IPS Football Recruiting Analyst)
FSU 28, State 21
I really, really hope I'm wrong, but I just don't have a good feeling about this game. If it's being played in Carter-Finley I'd pick NC State every day. I just have concerns about the Pack's ability to score points in this game.
Bryant Carson (IPS Football Analyst)
FSU 21, State 20
I've long had this game penciled in as a loss for State. I think it sets up like a bit of trap given FSU's early season struggles and a potential divisional deciding game at Wake looming. I think State controls much of the game but FSU is able to get behind State late in the 4th to go up 1 and survive the day.
Phillip Danford (IPS Football Analyst)
State 27, FSU 16
As I watched Florida State in preparation for this week, I couldn’t help but note how their various strengths and attributes were things I could directly relate back to prior NC State games this season. Whether that be their elite pass rusher, running QB, offensive philosophy, or secondary coverage. NC State has had success against all these factors this year, whether it came from Clemson, BC, Louisville, or others. This feels to me like a game that NC State can draw upon those experiences to deliver a dominant performance.
Now, I don’t expect Florida State to roll over. But if NC State plays to their potential, I think this could be a big win. Early offensive aggression and minimizing Florida State’s first down success will be key. If State can get some semblance of that, next week will be huge.
Ethan Barry (IPS Writer)
State 31, FSU 21
I like this spot for State, despite the potential to look ahead to Wake, with FSU coming off the emotional loss to Clemson. Despite the loss to Miami, the Pack has handled these spots well. I expect that to continue behind a bounceback performance from the running backs.
It may not be a huge performance, but I think it's at least back on track. With the way Leary has played, I think it will be enough offense for State to pull out a win.
Jake McSwain (IPS Writer)
State 31, FSU 21
I think State keeps things rolling in this one, though the certainly do have the potential of losing this game. Similar to louisville , this one won’t be decided until the 4th.
Ultimately I think the defense provides the offense with a couple short fields to work with and that turns out to be the difference.
BP Cox (IPS Photographer)
State 27, FSU 24
This weekend's game at Florida State could be the deal breaker before the deal breaker for the Wolfpack in that they need to handle their business with the Seminoles before taking aim at the Demon Deacs next weekend.
I will be looking to see how much NC State's run game tests FSU's defensive front. If there is harmony between using the run strategically and using it to set up the passing game I think the Wolfpack will be able to move the ball at their own pace. If we see the "run left for eight straight runs" strategy, it's going to be a different story.
For the Wolfpack defense, I want to see Drake Thomas and Corey Durden continue to step up with season ending injuries to key members such as Isaiah Moore affecting the depth chart. I think Durden will come out of the gate ready to bench press Doak Campbell Stadium as he faces his former team. The front pressure will need to key hard on FSU RB Jashaun Corbin to prevent him from getting loose.
I believe Coach Doeren will have the players focused on the task at hand and ready to handle FSU. He knows the road to an Atlantic Division crown goes through Tallahassee before it moves to Winston-Salem.
