Thursday Night College Football Preview

Florida State at North Carolina

            Both Florida State and North Carolina have had disappointing seasons thus far given the fact that both were ranked in the pre-season Top 25 polls.  The Seminoles are just 2-4 straight up and 1-5 against the spread in ?09.  They enter this game on a current three game losing streak with their most recent loss coming two weeks ago at home to Georgia Tech.  North Carolina on the other hand is 4-2 SU and 2-3 ATS.  The Tar Heels opened as 2 point favorites earlier in the week but even though more public action has come in on Florida State, the line has bumped North Carolina up to 2.5 point favorites and holding steady at the current number.

            The problem for Florida State this year has not been the offense.  Quarterback Christian Ponder has already thrown for 1,780 yards and 9 touchdowns against only one interception.  In fact, the offense is averaging 28 points and over 425 yards of total offense per game.  However, there are big problems on the defensive side of the ball for this Seminole team.  They are allowing 28.2 points and 428 yards per game.  Teams have been able to run and pass on them with ease as they are giving up nearly 173 yards a game rushing.  When you can?t stop the run, you are going to have problems stopping teams from putting points on the board and that is exactly what has happened so far this season.

            The good news for the Florida State defense is that the North Carolina offense is struggling as well.  In their first 6 games they are only averaging 282 yards of total offense per game.  T.J. Yates hasn?t played well as he?s only thrown for 964 yards and 6 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.  Rushing the ball has been a problem as well and it will be critical for them to run the ball in order to keep the dynamic Florida State offense off the field.  This is a perfect opportunity for the Tar Heel offense to get jump started facing a defense that is being torched of late.    

            Defensively, North Carolina has played well but they have yet to play an offense like Florida State?s.  The secondary has been outstanding and will have to play well in order to stop Christian Ponder from having a big game.  They are allowing just 125 yards per game through the air but haven?t been tested like they will be Thursday night.  If the secondary can hold Ponder in check, North Carolina has a chance to win this game but if not, Florida State has the ability to outscore the struggling offense of the Tar Heels.