Rumble In Raleigh: Florida State at NC State ACC Football Preview

Quick Hitter

Coming into the 2010 season, not many people would have circled this game as the potential deciding one in the Atlantic. A Florida State win all but wraps up a trip to the title game. On the flip side, a Wolfpack win opens the door for not only themselves, but Clemson and possibly Maryland.

You get the point I'm driving at—it's a BIG one tonight.

Florida State is coming off a close call against Boston College in which QB Christian Ponder not only had four turnovers, but also suffered a key injury to his throwing shoulder. If not for a an unbelievably inept passing game by the Eagles, the Seminoles would be sitting at 3-1. The offense did everything in it's power to lose that game.

NC State on the other hand, wasn't so lucky. Their four turnovers doomed them. QB Russell Wilson was uncharacteristically off target, throwing three INTs. The defense looked as if it was asleep all afternoon, letting the Pirates go for nearly 500 yards of total offense.

But if NC State can right the ship and pull off an upset tonight, things will get really interesting.

Should NC State win, it would square off in another Atlantic decider next weekend when they visit the suddenly resurgent Clemson Tigers. It would be a matchup of 3-1 and 3-2 teams. A Wolfpack win would likely secure them the Atlantic, but a Clemson win creates the scenario that many thought would happen—a Clemson-Florida State showdown for the Atlantic.

This is all speculation. Tonight's game needs to be played first.

What to Watch For

• Passing defense (or lack there of). NC State gave up 376 yards through the air to East Carolina in their last game. Florida State hasn't been much better. Think back to Oklahoma QB Landry Jones nearly getting 400 by himself.
• Quarterback pressure. The Noles come in leading the nation in sacks, and constantly get pressure on the QB. Pack QB Wilson didn't handle pressure well in their loss to Virginia Tech, going just nine-of-26.
• The health of Florida State QB Christian Ponder. He ruptured the bursa sac in his elbow in their win against Boston College. The week off supposedly helped.

• The deep ball. Neither QB has been stellar at completing the deep pass. Wilson is only completing 48 percent of passes 10 yards or more, while Ponder has been even worse, coming in at 37 percent.
• The ground game. One area where the teams actually differ is the running game. Florida State is going for over 200 yards a contest yet only allowing a little over 100. On the flip side, the Pack is allowing 150 and only gaining 136.
• 7.4. The last nine contests between these teams has been decided by an average of 7.4 points.

Prediction

Two offenses that are electric. Two quarterbacks that have garnered Heisman talk at some point. This comes down to defense and the running game, and the Noles have the edge in both.

When it’s all said and done, I think the Florida State takes this one in a close call.

Florida State 27, NC State 24

From ACC Blitz (Twitter: ACCBlitz)