Florida State looks for third straight shutout of Wake Forest at Doak
If NC State's Carter-Finley Stadium is known as Florida State's "House of Horrors," then Doak Campbell Stadium has to be equivalent to a college football "hell" for the aptly named Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
In Wake Forest's last two trips to Doak in 2010 and 2012, the Seminoles have combined to shut out the Demon Deacons 83-0.
"It's a tough environment, and more importantly it's a great football team," Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson said. "They are loaded on both sides of the football."
On Saturday the Demon Deacons are due for another visit to Tallahassee, and the outlook isn't promising for Wake as it is a 39-point underdog to the Seminoles.
If the Demon Deacons want to end their losing streak (or at least their scoreless drought) at Doak Campbell, they will have to rely on a true freshman quarterback and a veteran defense that ranks among the ACC's best.
The Wake Forest defense ranks first in the ACC in red zone efficiency, allowing offenses to score only 63.2 percent of the time they cross inside their 20-yard line. Its redshirt junior LB Brandon Chubb leads the ACC in tackles per game with 10.4, and the secondary is allowing only 159.6 passing yards per game -- second in the conference.
"Wake has done an outstanding job on defense," FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher said. "Their whole secondary is back, two linebackers are back. They're doing a great job schematically. Scoring on defense in almost every game."
Offensively, Wake Forest freshman QB John Wolford has completed 60 percent of his passes this year for 1,005 yards, but has also thrown only six touchdowns compared to 10 interceptions in five games. The Demon Deacons will want to limit the turnovers and control the ball on Saturday because, as shown in the NC State game, Jameis Winston and the 'Noles can score quickly off turnovers.
Florida State enters the game attempting to extend their overall winning streak to 21 games and winning streak vs. ACC opponents to 18 games.
Coming off a hard fought victory over the NC State Wolfpack, the Seminoles will get some much needed help on the defensive side of the ball as they welcome back redshirt sophomore LB Ukeme Eligwe.
Eligwe has been out with a foot injury, but is set to return this Saturday.
"I was very pleased," Fisher said about Eligwe's Thursday practice. "He was flying around and athletic. I am anxious to see him get on the field."
The 'Noles understand the importance of each game no matter the opponent's win-loss record, which is why the coaching staff made it very clear no one is overlooking Wake Forest.
"We'll have our hands full, they always come in and play hard," Fisher said of the Demon Deacons. "They're going to play tough and we'll need to prepare well and play well and keep taking the steps and grow where we need to grow."
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Wake Forest's secondary facing off against Florida State QB Jameis Winston
Wake Forest's secondary is undeniably the best position group on the Demon Deacons. They have dominated opponents this season allowing only 159.6 yards passing per game, which ranks second in the ACC and 11th in the nation.
Lead by redshirt sophomore safety Ryan Janvion and redshirt senior Merrill Noel, the Wake secondary will have to find a way to confuse Winston and contain his cast of play-making receivers.
"The quarterback is incredible," Clawson said of Winston. "The throws he makes, he's very smart, the football goes where it should go."
Winston struggled at times last week against NC State, reading coverages incorrectly and throwing balls into crowded areas. He must be smarter with the ball on Saturday by not falling for any of Wake Forest's disguised coverages.
TRENDING UP
Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons have scored a defensive or special teams touchdown in three of their last five games.
Florida State: The Seminoles have won nine straight home games versus ACC opponents. Their last loss at home to a member of the ACC was Virginia on Nov. 19, 2011.
TRENDING DOWN
Wake Forest: The last time Wake scored a touchdown inside of Doak Campbell was in 2006 when they shut out the 'Noles 30-0.
Florida State: The Seminoles have already had to come from behind to win in two of their first four games this season. They only had to do that twice in 14 games last year.
INJURY REPORT
Wake Forest: Out for Game -- TE Zach Gordon (head), WR Matt James (hand), DB James Ward (leg); Out for Season -- DL Johnny Garcia (ACL)
Florida State: Out for Game -- CB Trey Marshall (concussion); Out for Season -- DB Colin Blake (shoulder), DT Nile Lawrence-Stample (pectoral muscle), LB Delvin Purifoy (ankle)
QUOTEBOARD
"It certainly doesn't get easier this week. We're going down and playing the defending national champions at their place." -- Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson on playing Florida State
"We can't control the polls. All we have to do is keep winning. The polls are for the polls and the voters. If we keep winning and do what we do we will be fine." -- Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher on if the team is concerned about dropping from No. 1 to No. 2 in the coaches poll
"The news was kind of shocking. But like I said, it happened, that's life. It felt good, definitely, because I knew if he was looking he would have been proud." -- Florida State WR Christian Green talking about learning of his grandfather's passing early Saturday and then catching his first career TD hours later
DID YOU KNOW?
Winston has thrown a touchdown pass in 17 consecutive games, breaking the previous school record of 16 straight held by fellow Heisman winner Chris Weinke.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Seminoles travel to Syracuse to take on the Orange inside of the Carrier Dome on Oct. 11.
