Florida State will host Wake Forest on Saturday afternoon in a pivotal matchup between ACC contenders.
Florida State is 4-0 overall and is coming off a dominant performance at home last weekend against Boston College. The Demon Deacons suffered their first loss of the season in Week 4 — an overtime defeat to Clemson.
Wake Forest has won the last 2 meetings against Florida State. The Seminoles will be hoping to end that trend on Saturday and move to 5-0 on the season.
Wake Forest vs. Florida State preview
Florida State enters this matchup with very few question marks on either side of the ball. Quarterback Jordan Travis has transformed into one of the top passers in the ACC. Florida State also boasts a trio of talented running backs and a receiving corps that’s loaded with impact transfers.
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CLAIM OFFERDefensively, FSU has made big strides in 2022. The Noles didn’t allow Boston College to cross midfield last week until the second half. The Noles also limited a talented LSU team to 23 points back in Week 1. As a team, FSU is giving up just 4.91 yards per play — good enough for 3rd in the ACC.
Florida State will need to bring its A-game defensively this weekend against Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons are coming off of a 45-point showing against Clemson last weekend. The Tigers were banged up in the secondary, but Sam Hartman still torched Clemson’s vaunted defense for 337 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Hartman and Wake Forest’s receiving corps is talented enough to do something similar against the Noles if they aren’t prepared. Hartman is second in the ACC in passing touchdowns this season despite missing a full game due to a medical issue.
On the other side of the ball, Wake Forest’s defense provides another opportunity for Travis to have a big game. Last week against Boston College, Travis cleared the 300-yard barrier for the first time in his career.
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Wake Forest’s defense has been vulnerable at times this season. Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei went off for 5 touchdown passes last week. Vanderbilt quarterback AJ Swann (146 yards and 2 touchdowns on 11 attempts) and Kaidon Salter (256 yards and 2 touchdowns on 34 attempts) also had success vs. the Demon Deacons.
Wake Forest vs. Florida State prediction
This Florida State team seems to find a way to win every single week. The Noles are vastly improved in Year 3 under coach Mike Norvell and Wake Forest’s advantage at quarterback isn’t what it has been in the previous 2 meetings between these teams. Florida State’s secondary should be able to handle Wake’s passing attack a bit better than Clemson’s did.
Prediction: Florida State 35, Wake Forest 27
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
