This is embarrassing. The soon-to-be-unranked Florida State Seminoles lost to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, and I’m stunned. A familiar score as well, 35-30. (see: Clemson)
Wake Forest came into this game ranked 99th in the country in rushing. It showed in the first half when the team rushed for -1 yards. In the third quarter the Deacons rushed for 124 yards on the back of Josh Harris. No, not that Josh Harris, this one. The whole game wrapped up in one name.
Additionally, the 13th in the country FSU receiving core disappeared, only four players had a reception, and special teams was unimpressive. Quarterback E.J. Manuel went on to give up 2 interceptions as turnovers (five) led to the Seminole demise.
E.J. Manuel went 19-for-35, 285 yards and 2 TDs in his late return, more efficient than Deacon Tanner Price, but the Deacon receivers posted 4 TDs when it mattered. Manuel was clearly still suffering from injuries, as his mechanics suffered all game and especially in the end zone. If I had a dollar for each receiver he overthrew, I'd be eating at the Governor's Club tonight.
FSU might have been the better team, but the loss is still theirs. The Defense that held Oklahoma to 23 points didn't show up in the third. FSU even had 25 first downs, compared to Wake’s 17. They rushed for a miraculous 108 yards to no avail.
There were thirteen penalties for 103 yards, but each turn over was a nail in the coffin, and now FSU is 2-3, 0-2 ACC. They have now lost three consecutive games by a combined 20 points. And as much as it wracks my brain to write it, Wake Forest is 4-1, 3-0 in the ACC. Shock is not an adequate word.