Two up-and-down teams will battle it out in Raleigh this Friday night. The winner goes into rivalry weekend with postseason eligibility secured.
The Florida State Seminoles (5-5) play the North Carolina State Wolfpack (5-5) this Friday in Raleigh. Kickoff in North Carolina is set for 8:00 p.m. on ESPN. Both teams are aiming for bowl eligibility ahead of in-state rivalry games next weekend to end the season
Here's everything you need to know about NC State before this weekend's game.
North Carolina State Wolfpack - the Names and Numbers to Know
2025 results: The Wolfpack have not been unlike FSU this year, turning in up-and-down performances that make it hard to predict how they'll play on any given weekend. They pulled off a 48-36 upset over Georgia Tech in early November, just to turn around and get blown out by Miami 41-7 in their very next game.
NC State is 2-2 against teams currently ranked in the Top 25, but defensive lapses and inconsistency on offense have led to a handful of embarrassing defeats. Wins over Virginia and Georgia Tech impress, while blowout losses to Pitt, Miami and Notre Dame leave cause for concern.
By The Numbers: The Wolfpack are scoring 29.9 points per game (56th of 136 nationwide), while allowing 31.6 points per game (118th of 136). NC State's pass defense has been woeful, allowing 300 passing yards per game. The poor defense has been compounded by turnovers, as Wolfpack quarterbacks have as many interceptions as games played (10). The Wolfpack are being out-gained by an average of 31.4 yards per game, ceding 440.4 yards per contest.
Leading Passer: CJ Bailey - 220-for-317, 2,531 yards, 19 touchdowns, nine interceptions
Leading Receiver: Terrell Anderson - 32 catches, 552 yards, four touchdowns, 17.3 yards per catch
Leading Rusher: Daylan Smothers - 127 rushes, 823 yards, six touchdowns, 6.5 yards per rush
Leading Tackler: Linebacker Caden Fordham - 103 tackles, seven tackles for loss
Game Analysis: This may be the year's best example of two Jekyll and Hyde teams. The result is that all four outcomes are possible: a blowout win/loss for either team, or a close win/loss for either team.
A motivated FSU team likely has the edge, and indeed, Las Vegas has the Seminoles as a 4.5-point favorite on Friday night. It feels like the kind of game where the team that forces the most turnovers may win a high-scoring battle. The matchups to watch: Tommy Castellanos and Duce Robinson vs NC State's weak pass defense, and the stout Wolfpack rushing attack against FSU's underperforming front seven.
Related FSU Stories
HEADLINER: FSU receiver Duce Robinson has, deservingly, been named a semi-finalist for the prestigious Biletnikoff Award. READ MORE
KEY DB OUT: FSU's defense took a hit with the announcement that star cornerback Ja'Bril Rawls is out for the year. READ MORE