KEY MATCHUP N.C. State secondary vs. Florida State’s passing attack. The Wolfpack has faced a couple of strong passing attacks the past couple of weeks and hasn’t fared well in loses to Clemson and Syracuse. Those two teams combined to attempt 78 passes without an interception against N.C. State. The Wolfpack had freshman CB Teshaun Smith in the starting secondary as an injury kept normal starting CB Nick McCloud out of the Syracuse game after he played in a season-high 78 snaps against Clemson. Florida State’s passing game could be impacted by QB Deondre Francois’ level of availability after he was dinged up in a blowout loss to Clemson.
DRAFT SLANT
–QB Ryan Finley stayed for his final year of eligibility and he has been solid with 13 touchdown passes through seven games. Among quarterbacks from schools in Power 5 conferences, only two returnees had more than Finley’s 3,518 passing yards last year. He had a completion rate of better than 65 percent last year (and 66.8 so far this season).
ROSTER REPORT
–OT Tyrone Riley, a redshirt junior, made his first career start in the Syracuse game as injuries took a toll on the Wolfpack’s offensive line.
–WR Stephen Louis missed the Syracuse game and will be out for the season because of surgery for an ankle injury. He’s a team captain. He had five 12 catches without a touchdown in five games this season.
–RB Ricky Person, who has dealt with injuries throughout the first half of the season, didn’t make the trip for the Syracuse game. He’s listed on the depth chart for the Florida State game, and coach Dave Doeren said at the beginning of the week that it’s likely he’ll be available for the game.
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