A tale of two seasons suddenly has both the Florida State Seminoles and NC State Wolfpack fighting for bowl eligibility. It won’t be easy for either side, and this game carries great weight for the futures of Mike Norvell and Dave Doeren.
A vital matchup takes place in Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday. Our Florida State vs. NC State prediction features the PFSN grades that could define the outcome, a detailed breakdown, historical head-to-head records, and a final score projection for this must-watch matchup.
Florida State vs. NC State Details
- Date: Friday, Nov. 21
- Game time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Carter-Finley Stadium | Raleigh, N.C.
- Predicted weather at kick: 67°, Clear
- How to watch: ESPN, ESPN App, Fubo, Sling TV, YouTube TV
Florida State vs. NC State Head-to-Head Record
This is a storied matchup, and this will be the 43rd matchup between the two teams. Florida State holds a commanding 26-16 lead, but it’s actually been the Wolfpack that dominated recently.
While they haven’t played since 2022, the Wolfpack has won its last three games and five of its last six matchups. This game won’t change the head-to-head record. Norvell and Doeren understand the importance of winning on Friday.
Florida State vs. NC State Grades
- Florida State (88.1, B+)
- NC State (83, B-)
- Florida State (82.7, B-)
- NC State (73.3, C)
- Florida State (86.9, B)
- NC State (81.8, B-)
- Tommy Castellanos (91.3, A-)
- CJ Bailey (86.8, B)
- Gavin Sawchuk (77.8, C+)
- Hollywood Smothers (80.5, B-)
- Duce Robinson (83.6, B)
- Terrell Anderson (80.5, B-)
- Randy Pittman Jr. (77.1, C+)
- Justin Joly (79, C+)
- James Williams (73.3, C)
- Cian Slone (74.8, C)
- Mandrell Desir (82.1, B-)
- Barndon Cleveland (78.1, C+)
- Justin Cryer (70, D+)
- Caden Fordham (82.1, B-)
- Ja’Bril Rawls (79.8, C+)
- Devon Marshall (85.3, B)
- Ashlynd Barker (83.2, B)
- Tristan Teasdell (82.8, B)
Florida State vs. NC State Prediction
Florida State’s season couldn’t have started any better. Beating Alabama to start the year had Seminoles fans believing that Norvell figured it out, and the success continued in the next few weeks. Then, four consecutive losses derailed the season, and it’s only gotten slightly better recently.
FREE TOOL: College Football Playoff Predictor
NC State’s season rivals the Seminoles’, but slightly differ. Wins over ECU, Virginia, and Georgia Tech show their potential, but they also have losses to Duke, Virginia Tech, and Pitt. They also got destroyed by Miami last week. Which version of the Wolfpack shows up determines the outcome here.
CJ Bailey holds the keys for the Wolfpack. His performance against a Seminoles defense that’s No. 29 in PFSN’s CFB Defense Impact Metrics. If NC State’s offensive line can give Bailey protection, he’s shown that he can shred any defense. The Seminoles are a disruptive group, so this is the matchup to watch.
Prediction: NC State 28, Florida State 27