Florida State football preparing for 'involved' secondary against Wake Forest

Halloween is less than a week away and Wake Forest is pulling out all the tricks.

In addition to its trademarked slow-mesh offense, Florida State football is preparing for a unique look from its secondary, powered by its safeties. Similar to its offense, its defense is quick and finds ways to get nearly everyone involved.

Offensive coordinator Alex Atkins said that No. 4 FSU (7-0, 5-0 ACC) needs to be on point because he knows Wake Forest (4-3, 1-3) and its defense will be.

The teams will square off at noon at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., with the game broadcast on ABC.

"They press you down. They can get down," Atkins said. "They get in the same base look but they have so many different deals that give you issues whether it be moving the front right before the snap, going from three down to four down and things of that sort."

"How they can basically get the safeties involved in the run game, how they can create the twisting on the D-line, it creates problems. They’re going to create some problems. We have to make sure we’re on point, understanding where we’re strong at and giving our guys the answers and the tools."

Two names that FSU is looking out for are defensive backs Malik Mustaph and DaShawn Jones. Mustaph has 41 tackles, six for a loss, a sack and an interception. Jones has 28 tackles and three interceptions in just six games, which is good enough for the top 20 in the nation.

"They attack. They show multiple looks. A lot of different things," head coach Mike Norvell said. "The guys play really hard. Two of the better safeties in our league, in how they play. And then obviously they're looking to make an impact. I think they had nine or 10 tackles for loss last week."

"You see some of these last few weeks, teams are very aggressive in their approach and mindset of what they do schematically and that doesn't change this week."

3 Wake Forest players to watch

DaShawn Jones, defensive back

The secondary has been a main concern for FSU heading into this game, and Jones is a big reason why. In addition to his 28 total tackles, three for a loss of yardage, he has three interceptions in seven games, which leads Wake Forest. That number could've been higher as he has two pass breakups.

He is tied for 14th in the country in interceptions per game. On the road for the first time, and possibly without one of its top wide receivers, Jones could sneak up on FSU's offense on Saturday.

Demond Claiborne, running back

One of the favorite rush options in Wake Forest's slow mesh offense, Claiborne hasn't just put up big numbers on the ground but has had no trouble finding the end zone.

He's rushed for a team-high 471 yards and five touchdowns this season, averaging a healthy 67.29 yards per game.

The Seminoles have struggled throughout the year to stop opponents on the ground as they are averaging 149.29 yards per game against FSU. With Wake Forest averaging 145.14 yards rushing per game as a team, that pattern could likely continue.

Mitch Griffis, quarterback

Wake Forest has yet to announce its starting quarterback vs. FSU, marking the second straight game the Seminoles have had to prepare for an unknown starter.

But it is likely going to be Griffis, at least that's who Norvell said the Seminoles will prepare in his Monday press conference. Griffis has played in six games, completing 100 of 169 passes for 1,211 yards and nine touchdowns.

He didn't play last game against Pitt due to an undisclosed injury. Santino Marucci stepped in, passing for 151 yards and one touchdown. There is a possibility that he could start after a successful showing, and a clutch performance in the final minute of the game, against Pitt.

History

The Seminoles snapped a nine-year-long losing streak to Clemson earlier this season, and are now looking to end a three-year drought against Wake Forest.

FSU has not defeated Wake Forest since 2018 in a 38-17 win in Tallahassee.

Since then, the Demon Deacons have turned the tides, defeating the Seminoles in back-to-back years at home and once on the road last season. The 2022 victory snapped the Seminoles' 4-0 record coming into the game. However, FSU owns the edge in the all-time record of 30-9-1.

Its longest win streak over the Demon Deacons is 14 games stretching from 1992 to 2005, which included a wide 72-13 win in 1995.

This isn't the first time that Wake Forest has put together a winning streak against the Seminoles as it won three straight from 2006 to 2008. FSU hasn't won in Winston-Salem since 2017.

GAME INFORMATION

Who: No. 4 FSU (7-0, 5-0 ACC) at Wake Forest (4-3, 1-3)

When/where: Saturday, noon, Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium, Winston-Salem, N.C.

TV/Radio: ABC/94.9 FM

Live game updates: www.Tallahassee.com; @Ehsan_Kassim, @jackgwilliams and @JimHenryTALLY on X, formerly Twitter

Jack Williams covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at jwilliams@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @jackgwilliams.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football preparing for "involved' defense, offense against Wake Forest