Can NC State upset FSU again this weekend? - SCACCHoops.com

Can NC State upset FSU again this weekend?

by All Things ACC

Posted: 11/3/2016 12:18:36 PM


Another week, another heartbreaking loss for N.C. State.

Once sitting with a sterling 4-1 record with what was being called a signature victory against Notre Dame; fast-forward three weeks later, and the Pack are sitting at 4-4 with a 5-3, #19th ranked Florida State team visiting Raleigh this week.

Just getting two more wins to become bowl-eligible may be a stretch for the Pack this season, as after Florida State, the Pack will have to play at the Carrier Dome against a surprisingly upstart Syracuse team, then host a once-ranked-10th in the nation Miami Hurricanes squad. The Pack finishes their season playing at UNC.

More troublingly, defensive end and team captain Bradley Chubb believes that the players in Pack uniforms for homecoming were still not past that loss to the Tigers and added “I've been losing for three years, I'm tired of it," Chubb said. "It just hurts, we want to win. We've got to change our mindset. I know we were ready, we just didn't finish."

Florida State is coming off of a closely-contested game against Clemson, and will be looking to avenge their loss.  All-ACC running back and probable 1st round pick Dalvin Cook will run into a defensive front seven that has been very stout at times this year. State will look to stack the box defensively in an attempt to contain Cook, and to test redshirt freshmen QB Deondre Francois into challenging their veteran secondary.

Is this the game that could save Coach Doeren’s job?

In Dave Doeren’s post-game comments, he uttered oh-too-familiar words:

"I'll say it again," Doeren said after his team gave the Eagles their first ACC win since Nov. 29, 2014. "We just can't beat ourselves. We have to be an opportunistic football team that capitalizes on moments. "We can't beat ourselves and win big games, or win any games. There are examples of that everywhere."

If N.C. State wins this game against a Florida State team that has a recent history of losing in Raleigh, Coach Doeren may just live to see another season. If not, the road to a bowl game looks bleak, making Doeren’s seat much hotter amongst fans and boosters.

Florida State is 3-5 in their last 8 trips to Raleigh and in all 5 times NCSU won, they were unranked. In attempt to motivate their squad, State will be break out their “Iron Wolf uniforms” in which they donned when beating Syracuse last season.

Ultimately, I predict that fiery defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen will motivate N.C. State’s talented defensive line enough to contain star running back Dalvin Cook.

Final prediction: N.C. State 21-Florida State 20

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