Cornellius “Tank” Carradine has been the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week twice this season. (US Presswire) |
Florida State (5-0, 2-0 ACC) at NC State (3-2, 0-1 ACC)
Kickoff: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Spread: Florida State by 14.5.
Watchability: The Seminoles leave the state of Florida for the first time this season, and the Wolfpack have won four of the last six times they’ve played a ranked Florida State team. NC State’s defense has struggled against Tennessee and Miami, and it will get a serious test on Saturday.
Shining stars: Florida State: Defensive end Cornellius “Tank” Carradine has been the ACC’s Defensive Lineman of the Week twice in the last three weeks. His seven sacks are sixth-highest in the nation. NC State: Quarterback Mike Glennon had more than 300 yards passing in a game for the first time this season when he threw for 440 against Miami last Saturday, the most by a Wolfpack quarterback since Philip Rivers in 2003.
Who could steal the show: Florida State: Rashad Greene has scored touchdowns rushing, receiving and returning punts. He’s the first Seminole to score three different ways in a season since Peter Warrick in 1999. NC State: Wide receiver Bryan Underwood has scored touchdowns in all five games this season, tying a school record set by Koren Robinson in 2000.
You going? Ranking the road trip: It’s Hall of Fame Weekend at NC State. Ten Wolfpack legends will be inducted into the inaugural class in the school’s athletics hall of fame, including three football players: QB Roman Gabriel, C Jim Ritcher and RB Ted Brown. NBA star David Thompson and basketball coach Jim Valvano are also in the Class of 2012.
Magic number for Florida State: 19. When they rush for 200 or more yards in a game, the Seminoles have won 19 straight games. They’re averaging 261.2 yards rushing a game this season, sixth in FBS.
Magic number for NC State: 4. Right guard Zach Allen started the first five games for NC State, but he left the Miami game with a leg injury and won’t play this week. That means that State will start its fourth different lineup on the offensive line in its six games this season.
The game comes down to: Execution. NC State has NFL prospects at quarterback (Glennon) and in the secondary, led by CB David Amerson. But both have struggled at times this year, leading to NC State’s uneven results. They'll need to be at the top of their games if the Wolfpack are to keep pace with the Seminoles.
Prediction: Florida State 35, NC State 10
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from ACC bloggers Shawn Krest and Sean Bielawski, follow @CBSSportsACC.