#16 Florida State (6-1) vs. North Carolina State (5-2)
Vs.
7:30 ET ESPN, Thur. Oct. 28, Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC
Florida State: Florida State is heading off of a bye week after dominating nearly every opponent since the embarrassing Oklahoma loss. Quarterback Christian Ponder has been hampered by an elbow injury thus far and has not been the player most though he would be this season. Luckily, the Seminoles boast the nation’s No. 19 rush offense where running backs Chris Thompson and Jermaine Thomas have carried the team. PLAYER TO WATCH: Greg Reid, So. CB
NC State: In quarterback Russell Wilson's first three games, the junior tossed zero interceptions. In his last three, Wilson has turned the ball over through the air eight times. Teams have begun to figure out how to rush Wilson, which has been bad news for the Wolf Pack. A lot of pressure tonight will be placed on linebackers Nate Irving and Audie Cole to make the FSU offense one dimensional. PLAYER TO WATCH: Owen Spencer, Sr. WR
The Pick: Turnovers have plagued the Wolf Pack lately and Florida State is a team that thrives on capitalizing off turnovers. The Seminoles are ranked No. 1 in the country in sacks a game and should pressure Wilson into a few Thursday night. Last year’s game between the two tallied 87 points. I wouldn’t expect quite that much this time around with better defenses on both sides. The Seminoles offense and rush game should prevail in the end, however, in a close matchup. Florida State 30 – North Carolina State 27
(Friday Game)
West Virginia (5-2) vs. Connecticut (3-4)
Vs.
8:00 PM ET, ESPN2, Fri. Oct. 29, Rentschler Field, East Hartford, CT
West Virginia: The potent speed spread of the Mountaineers offense was shut down last week by conference opponent Syracuse at home. Quarterback Geno Smith threw three interceptions last week, more than his two on the season heading into the game. The players around Smith need to start making plays, however. The speed surrounding the young QB is ridiculous with wideout Jock Sanders and running back Noel Devine, but they need to play to their level. PLAYER TO WATCH: Chris Neild, Sr. DT
UConn: Huskies quarterback Cody Endres was tossed from the program two weeks ago, giving the reins back to Zach Frazer. Frazer, the starter to begin the season, has been playing blind this year and didn’t do anything to change that in the loss to Louisville last week. The key here will be to let running back Jordan Todman carry the offense. Todman has five 100 yards games this season and needs more than the 19 carries he had last week. PLAYER TO WATCH: Scott Lutrus, Sr. MLB
The Pick: Both of these teams season’s at this point can be considered disappointments. The Mountaineers had a chance to run the table in the Big East this season but last week’s loss ends that. The Huskies have looked awful this year after there was hope that they may compete for the Big East title. West Virginia’s conference chances are still alive and they need to dominate on the road this week in order to save face. This game was a close 28-24 matchup last year. This year, I can’t see UConn keeping it that close. West Virginia 26 – Connecticut 10
Last Week: 7-5 – Overall Season: 72-26 – Upset Pick: 5-2
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