North Carolina @ Florida State preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 6, 2010 ) North Carolina 37, Florida State 35

No. 23 North Carolina looks to build off the emotion of a thrilling, last-second victory when it goes on the road to battle No. 12 Florida State on Saturday. Mitch Trubisky’s school-record fifth touchdown pass with two seconds remaining gave the Tar Heels a 37-36 victory over Pittsburgh and the talented junior quarterback next tries to end Florida State’s FBS-best, 22-game home winning streak.

Trubisky has completed 74.5 percent of his passes and thrown for 10 touchdown passes with no interceptions in his last 202 attempts, dating back to 2014. “He’s big, he’s strong, he’s hard to get down in the pocket,” Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher said of Trubisky. “Arm strength underneath, run-pass options, he does it all.” Fisher wasn’t pleased despite a 55-35 victory at USF last week, especially with his underachieving defense that has given up an average of 44 points and 453.3 yards against three FBS opponents. The positive for the Seminoles is that Heisman Trophy candidate Dalvin Cook turned things around after a slow start with 267 yards rushing last week and North Carolina must contain the junior to extend its ACC regular-season winning streak to 10.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Florida State -11

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA (3-1, 1-0 ACC): The Tar Heels have also struggled keeping teams off the scoreboard, permitting 30 points per game, and coordinator Gene Chizik told reporters, “We need to show up and play with a defense that looks like it can compete in this league.” The other side of the ball is not a problem, although Pitt held the Tar Heels to 18 yards rushing last week and running back Elijah Hood is averaging just 72.8 yards per game. Trubisky boasts four veteran targets with at least 183 receiving yards, led by senior Ryan Switzer’s 33 catches (16 last week) and 429 yards.

ABOUT FLORIDA STATE (3-1, 0-1): The Seminoles rushed for at least 400 yards for the first time since 1995 (10th overall) last week (478) and sophomore Jacques Patrick showed he can be a factor in support with 124 yards against USF. Freshman quarterback Deondre Francois is completing 62.8 percent of his passes with just two interceptions and junior Travis Rudolph boasts 16 receptions for a team-high 233 yards and three scores. Florida State has not put it together on defense, yielding more than 200 yards per game on the ground, but has 13 sacks – 5.5 by end DeMarcus Walker.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Seminoles are 15-2-1 against North Carolina overall, but lost the last meeting in Tallahassee, Fla. in 2010.

2. Switzer has 181 career receptions, tied with Hakeem Nicks for second in school history and 24 behind Quinshad Davis.

3. Cook has rushed for 3,194 yards and needs 25 to move past Travis Minor (1997-2000) for third in school history.

PREDICTION: Florida State 34, North Carolina 28