Wolfpack has successful history against Florida State

State has beaten its ACC Atlantic Division rival in each of the past two seasons

Rob Kinnan/USAToday sports

Florida State has been the gold standard of the ACC since it joined the conference in 1992. The Seminoles' dominance is well-documented, with 15 league titles -- including nine straight at one point.

And yet no one other than Clemson has enjoyed as much success against FSU as NC State.

The defending national champion Tigers have beaten FSU 10 times in ACC play. The Wolfpack has a chance to equal that total on Saturday when it travels to Doak Campbell Stadium for this year's conference opener.

Of those nine wins against the Seminoles, two have come in the past two meetings between the ACC Atlantic Division rivals. 

State won 47-28 at Carter-Finley Stadium last year behind a career-high three touchdowns from Ricky Person Jr. It claimed a 27-21 victory in Tallahassee in 2017, thanks to big games by Ryan FInley, Jaylen Samuels and Nyheim Hines.

The Wolfpack was also the first ACC team ever to beat FSU at Doak Campbell when it won 34-28 in 2001. Overall, the Seminoles lead the series 26-13.

According to senior defensive end James Smith-Williams, there's something about FSU that brings out the best in the Wolfpack.

"It's a little rivalry we have going on, so we're really passionate about playing those guys," hsaid. "They feel the same way about us. It's a really talented program. We know the assignments, the alignments and the execution to play a good game against us."