Nikita Whitlock Injury: Wake Forest's Jim Grobe Discusses D-Line Without Star

Despite readying to face the Florida State Seminoles without his All-ACC nose guard Nikita Whitlock, Wake Forest Demon Deacon coach Jim Grobe was confident that his defensive line would be more than ready for their showdown come Saturday.

On Thursday's ACC coaches teleconference, Grobe remarked that his defensive line had more depth than some had given Wake Forest credit for, including freshman Tyler Harris.

I like Tyler Harris. I think he's a true freshman, but he's a big guy, he's very athletic, he's a pretty physical kid. I really like the things that he's doing right now.

I think what we've got is -- it's really hard to replace Nikita, but I think the thing we've got is we've got about five guys in that defensive front for those three positions where we've kind of through practice in August rotated those guys around, and most of those guys have played either nose guard or defensive end. I think we've got enough athletes that we can move those guys around.

For more Florida State coverage, check out Tomahawk Nation.

Wake Forest's Nikita Whitlock Out Against Florida State

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons were dealt a serious blow before their game against the Florida State Seminoles as All-ACC nose guard Nikita Whitlock will not be able to play according to Kenny Beck of WXII NBC News.

Whitlock suffered a sprained ankle against North Carolina last Saturday, and would have provided a tough test against a revamped offensive line. Whitlock had 64 tackles for the Demon Deacons last year which included 3.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss.

Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher knows that Whitlock and the rest of the Demon Deacons defensive line will give the Seminoles trouble up front, but without their best defensive player available on Saturday, that task just got a little easier.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the Seminoles, visit Tomahawk Nation, and for more on Wake Forest, check out Blogger So Dear. For more news and notes from around NCAA football, head over to SB Nation's college football hub

Menelik Watson Injury: Seminoles Offensive Lineman May Be Hurt

Florida State right tackle Menelik Watson could be injured heading into Saturday's game against Wake Forest, depending on which report is true. Watson was allegedly injured during a closed portion of Wednesday's practices, and at least one media outlet reported he was done for the day:

Menalik Watson carted off field today w an ankle or foot. Returned was limping and didn't finish practice. Glauser #1RT. #FSU #Seminoles

— Rick Ballou (@Ballou1010xl) September 11, 2012

Tomahawk Nation initially disputed the report, but updated their entry from Wednesday night to add that Watson had been spotted wearing a protective boot on campus. It certainly doesn't help that the Florida State O-line is facing a sizable amount of pressure heading into the first ACC game of the year.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the Seminoles, visit Tomahawk Nation, and for more on Wake Forest, check out Blogger So Dear. For more news and notes from around NCAA football, head over to SB Nation's college football hub.

Florida State Offensive Line Faces First Real Test

While the national media expected Florida State to return to the top of college football last season, their thin depth at offensive line went largely ignored - until a rash of injuries turned the 'Noles offense into a total mess. Now a retooled line will face its first true test of the 2012 season when FSU plays Wake Forest on Saturday.

Tomahawk Nation has a full breakdown of the new group -- Cam Erving, Josue Matias, Bryan Stork, Tre Jackson, and Menelik Watson -- and how head coach Jimbo Fischer expects them to pick up the Demon Deacons' defense, which relies heavily on shifts and angling to confuse offenses:

Fisher acknowledged that the group would likely have its struggles. "It’ll be a different challenge, there’ll be some ups and downs," he said. "There’ll be some things that happen in the game like always, and hopefully we can adjust and get the team to play well."

Wake Forest only had 11 sacks in 2011, but forced five turnovers and allowed only 110 yards rushing in their upset of Florida State in 2011.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the Seminoles, visit Tomahawk Nation, and for more on Wake Forest, check out Blogger So Dear. For more news and notes from around NCAA football, head over to SB Nation's college football hub.

Wake Forest Vs. Florida State: Seminole's Offensive Line To Get A Test

After facing the likes of Murray State and Savannah State, the Florida St. Seminoles are facing their first test of the season against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. The offensive line has helped the Seminoles runners gain 452 yards for 11 touchdowns, averaging 6.92 yards per carry.

Wake Forest runs a 3-4 defense that likes to shift a lot and take a lot of angles and stunts to keep an offensive line off balance. Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher talked about the challenge his offensive line faces on Saturday:

No doubt. When you go to a 3-4 team, it's definitely a different scheme. Not as many people play it, there are little nuances you have to understand, and they do a really nice job of it.

The Seminoles hope that their offensive line's size and athleticism will negate the Demon Deacons' defensive adjustments. The Seminoles will face the Demon Deacons on Saturday in Tallahassee. Kickoff is scheduled for noon with television coverage on ESPN.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the Seminoles, visit Tomahawk Nation, and for more on Wake Forest, check out Blogger So Dear. For more news and notes from around NCAA football, head over to SB Nation's college football hub.

NCAA Odds Week 2: Wake Forest Vs. Florida State

The Florida State Seminoles open up ACC play against Wake Forest on Saturday, and they're heavily favored to win the game. The Seminoles opened as 25-point favorites over the Demon Deacons, and that's where the line is holding at most sportsbooks.

Related: Florida State Beats Savannah State In Bizarre Rain-Shortened Game

Wake Forest knocked off Florida State 35-30 in 2011, but the Deacs were playing at home in that one, and they also finished +5 in the turnover department. The last time Wake Forest played in Tallahassee, it was shut out by the Seminoles, 31-0. Florida State is loaded on the defensive side of the ball in 2012, and it's clear that Vegas handicappers expect FSU to be able to control this game.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the Seminoles, visit Tomahawk Nation, and for more on Wake Forest, check out Blogger So Dear. For more news and notes from around NCAA football, head over to SB Nation's college football hub.

Wake Forest Vs. Florida State Preview: Seminoles Begin Conference Play

Florida State hosts Wake Forest on Saturday.