Two lock-down defenses will be the focal point in this game as the North Carolina State Wolfpack (6-3) meet the Florida State Seminoles (7-2). Players to watch in this matchup are the ACC’s top rusher, Dalvin Cook (1,231 yards, 12 TDs), and the third-leading rusher, Matthew Dayes (865 yards, 12 TDs). This week’s game sees two teams looking to move past their recent struggles and get back on track. Both Florida State and North Carolina State have had their share of success this season, but they have suffered some unfortunate losses lately. The game kicks off Saturday, Nov 14 at 12:30 p.m. ET and will be shown on ESP3.
In last week’s game, Florida State fell to Clemson 23-13. Dalvin Cook had an outstanding performance on the ground in the loss, carrying 21 times for 194 yards and one TD. Travis Rudolph finished with 86 receiving yards on six receptions. North Carolina State is hoping for another victory like last week’s performance, when it beat Boston College 24-8. Jaylen Samuels had a solid game for the Wolfpack, registering seven catches for 38 yards. Maurice Trowell also had a big game with 85 receiving yards and a TD on two catches.
Florida State is a 10-point favorite against the Wolfpack. Oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 51 points.
Heading into Week 11 of the college football season, the Seminoles are 7-2 Straight Up (SU) and 5-4 Against The Spread (ATS). Over their last five games, the Seminoles have records of 3-2 for both SU and ATS. The Florida State pass defense has played at another level the past five games. It has given up 241.2 passing yards per game during that span.
As for their opponent, the Wolfpack have a record of 6-3 for both ATS and SU. The Wolfpack went 2-3 for both SU and ATS over the last five games. The Seminoles are matching up with North Carolina State’s defense at an inopportune time. Over the last five games, North Carolina State’s opponents have only averaged 204.6 yards through the air. When North Carolina State’s defensive front gets going, it is basically unstoppable. This year, the Wolfpack average 2.8 sacks per game, good enough for 21st in the country. Prepare to see a lot of yellow flags flying around when the Seminoles are playing. They are one of the most penalized teams in the nation with 7.4 calls per game.
Predictions: SU Winner – North Carolina State, ATS Winner – North Carolina State, O/U – Over
Notes
Florida State is 8-16 ATS in its last 24 games.
Florida State is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Florida State’s last 8 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Florida State’s last 14 games at home.
Florida State is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games at home.
Florida State is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing North Carolina State.
Florida State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against North Carolina State.
North Carolina State is 6-0 SU when leading at the start of the 4th quarter this season. Florida State is 7-1 SU when leading after three quarters.
Florida State is only 1-3 SU this season when allowing at least 3.0 sacks in a game. The North Carolina State defense is averaging 3.8 sacks over its last five games.
The Florida State passing attack is ranked only 42nd nationally, while the North Carolina State pass defense is ranked 19th. The Wolfpack passing game is ranked just 82nd, compared to the 37th-ranked pass defense of the Seminoles.
