FACTS & STATS: Site:Carter-Finley Stadium (57,082) -- Raleigh, North Carolina. Television:ESPN. Home Record: FSU 2-1, NC State 2-2. Away Record: FSU 1-0, NC State 0-2. Neutral Record: FSU 1-0, NC State 0-0. Conference Record: FSU 1-1, NC State 0-2. Series Record: Florida Sate leads, 19-9.

GAME NOTES: The Florida State Seminoles set out in search of their third straight win away from home, as they square off against the NC State Wolfpack in an ACC affair at Carter-Finley Stadium this Thursday. Following three consecutive home games to kick off the season, FSU has hit the road for a three-game trip that has gotten off to a good start. The team got its current road swing underway with a 39-21 win over Colorado before outlasting instate foe Miami-Florida, 41-39, on October 4th. The wins pushed the Seminoles overall mark to 4-1 on the season and that includes an even 1-1 record versus ACC foes. As for NC State, it is in the midst of a four-game homestand that hasn't gone well thus far. The home stretch started with a 30-24 upset of then 15th-ranked East Carolina, but since that win, the program has dropped a pair of games to then 13th-ranked South Florida (41-10) and most recently Boston College (38-31) on October 4th. Losers of three of their last four games, the Wolfpack now sit at 2-4 overall. In terms of the all-time series, FSU holds a 19-9 advantage over NC State and that takes into account a 27-10 triumph in last season's meeting in Tallahassee.

FSU has been solid on the offensive side of the ball thus far and the team is producing a hardy 39.6 ppg behind 424.4 total ypg. The offense has displayed good balance, but has been especially effective on the ground, where it is averaging 231.6 total ypg. Antone Smith paces the ground game with 394 yards and nine scores and he is coming off a four-touchdown effort versus Miami. In that game, Smith toted 27 times for 92 yards, helping FSU rush for 310 yards in a 41-39 win over the Hurricanes. Quarterback Christian Ponder led the charge in the victory with 144 rushing yards, as he became the first FSU signal caller to rush for over a 100 yards in a game since Charlie Ward in 1992. Ponder also hit on 14-of-31 pass attempts for 159 yards and a touchdown, although he was picked off twice. In five games, Ponder has already been intercepted six times and he has completed just 49.1 percent of his tosses for the year. Still, he has been effective in moving the team and has thrown for 706 yards and seven touchdowns, in addition to rushing for 262 yards. His mobility has made the biggest impact for this FSU offense, which has overcome 14 turnovers to be productive.

On the defensive side of the ball the Seminoles have been every bit as sharp, as they are holding opponents to 15.8 ppg and a mere 230.0 total ypg. The unit has been especially tough against the run, permitting just 64.0 ypg and two touchdowns thus far. Getting into the backfield is another strength of FSU, which has notched 15 sacks already. In their most recent outing, the Seminoles held Miami to just 256 total yards, while picking off three passes. The defense spent under 20 minutes of the game on the field and held Miami to just a 2-of-15 effort on third down conversions. FSU did surrender 39 points in that game, but the defense was responsible for only three of those touchdowns and the unit was put in several bad spots due to turnovers by the offense. Tony Carter made a pair of interceptions in the win, while Derek Nicholson had six tackles and two TFLs. For the season, Nicholson leads the squad with 31 tackles and 7.5 TFls.

A lack of consistency has set the Wolfpack offense back this season, as the unit is turning in just 19.0 ppg and only 275.5 ppg. The team has really struggled to run the ball, averaging 80.0 ypg, and has also had issues avoiding mistakes, committing 13 turnovers (10 INTs). In the club's prior outing, NC State didn't commit a single turnover, but its mere 253 total yards of offense wasn't quite enough in a 38-31 setback to Boston College. Redshirt freshman quarterback Russell Wilson put forth a solid effort in the loss, as he rushed for a pair of touchdowns, in addition to throwing for 218 yards and another score. Wilson has missed some time with an injury, but when in the lineup, he has done a decent job for the most part. His numbers of 532 yards and four touchdowns through the air aren't eye-popping, but he can make the big play and that is something this offense really needs. Owen Spencer has been his favorite outlet with 17 catches and 323 yards to his credit, and that includes a 102-yard, one-touchdown effort versus Boston College. In the backfield, Andre Brown paces the team with 325 yards and three scores on the ground, but he has carried the ball just 76 times through six games.

Slowing down opposing teams has been an issue for NC State on the year, as its defense is permitting 31.3 ppg and 430.2 total ypg. The unit is allowing foes to run for 170.0 ypg and pass for 260.3 ypg more, but has been able to generate some turnovers, forcing 15 already. In its last outing, NC State was torched for 578 total yards by BC, which drove 70 yards in three minutes for the game-winning score with just 23 seconds left. The defense forced three turnovers to keep things interesting, but it wasn't enough. Ray Michel guided the squad in defeat with 10 tackles and a forced fumble. He now tops the roster with 48 stops for the year.

With its potent ground attack, FSU should be able to move the ball up and down at will against a soft NC State defense and that will most likely result in a win for the Seminoles.