(US Presswire)
Tanner Price and Jim Grobe are the closest thing to Collin Klein and Bill Snyder because of all the doubters they both have.
Price upset the North Carolina Tar Heels, a team many had penciled in as the best team in the Coastal Division. Obviously the Heels are not eligible, but if they were many would have them listed as the favorites as opposed to the Hokies.
Wake Forest is certainly riding some momentum with a decent amount of talent all over the field, but the lack of a running game (111th) is never a good thing when you are going up against the Seminoles defense.
Points may come at a premium in this one as the Noles have toyed with their first two FCS opponents and thus a season home opening matchup in the ACC will be a bit of a litmus test in terms of how much FSU has improved in one season.
Price is a mobile signal-caller, but he will be running for his life with Bjoern Werner, Tank Carradine and Timmy Jernigan harassing them WF offensive line.
The true matchup to look at would be Michael Campanaro against Xavier Rhodes. The Wake receiver can draw separation very well and he is the vocal part of the offense in the passing game.
Rhodes is highly regarded as one of the best corners in the country, and an underrated linebacker (Christian Jones, Vincent Williams, Telvin Smith) corps could make this a slam dunk victory for the Noles.
The reason that is possible is because E.J. Manuel has experienced a ton of help from his running game against inferior competition. Even in previous seasons, FSU could not run the ball for a ton of success, but James Wilder Jr and Devonta Freeman have both eclipsed 100 yards already.
Plus, when you take the 11 rushing TD into account, this young and improved offensive line may honestly be ready for stardom. The developing stars could be aligning for a BCS run thanks to the bevy of receivers that can get open for Manuel down the field.
Network: ESPN
Time: Noon Eastern
Experts Pick: FSU by 27.5
Danny V’s Pick: Florida State 40, Wake Forest 3
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