No. 14 NC State and Florida State play on Saturday, Oct. 8. The game will be live streamed on fuboTV (free trial) and DirecTV Stream (free trial).

North Carolina State’s offense has yet to find a consistently strong form. That has to change, starting Saturday night against Florida State.

The 14th-ranked Wolfpack (4-1, 0-1 ACC) lost last weekend at No. 5 Clemson in a key matchup for the league’s Atlantic Division race. Offensive issues stood out, starting with an ineffective running game along with the inability to attack downfield.

N.C. State is ninth in the 14-team ACC in scoring (32.8) and 10th in total offense (384.6) despite the presence of the preseason league player of the year in quarterback Devin Leary. It needs more, particularly with the Seminoles (4-1, 2-1) arriving with their only loss coming last week to No. 15 Wake Forest.

This isn’t a one-time issue for N.C. State. The Wolfpack sputtered through the second half of the opener at East Carolina and barely avoided a stunning upset.

The team lost top target Emeka Emezie from last year and has Thayer Thomas as a reliable midrange threat. Other receivers like Devin Carter offer flashes on the outside. But those plays aren’t coming regularly enough and only Thomas (301 yards) has cracked 200 yards receiving through five games.

Compare that to the previous week, when Wake Forest’s developed receiver trio of Jahmal Banks, A.T. Perry and Donavon Greene outplayed — and often dominated — Clemson’s injury-battered secondary for five of Sam Hartman’s six touchdown throws before losing a double-overtime thriller.

When is NC State-Florida State?

Florida State plays NC State at 7 p.m. (8 p.m. ET) Saturday, Oct. 8.

Live stream options

FuboTV

The game will be live streamed on fuboTV, which offers a free trial. The most basic of plans is the “fubo standard” package, which comprises 121-plus channels for $69.99 per month. Like all cord-cutting alternatives, there are plenty of options, especially for sports. It comes with more than 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR, and up to 10 screens at once.

DirecTV Stream

DirecTV Stream offers a free trial.

There are three options of DirecTV Stream:

The Choice Package has more than 90 channels and is $74.99 during the promotion. The channels in ENTERTAINMENT, plus MLB Network, NBA TV, college sports networks, and more. Enjoy Regional Sports Networks with no additional fees.

The Ultimate Package has more than 130 channels and is $89.99 during the promotion. Everything in CHOICE, plus Oxygen, Golf Channel, NHL Network, Universal Kids and more.

The Premier Package has more than 140 channels and is $134.99 during the promotion. Everything in ULTIMATE, plus HBO Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, Cinemax and more.

DirecTV Stream offers a free trial that doesn’t require much effort.

To sign up, enter a phone number, email address and credit card, and you’ll receive five days of the service without charge.

In addition, enhance your experience with the DirecTV Stream device. While it doesn’t include a free trial, it give you access to thousands of apps like Netflix and more on Google Play. You can search using the voice remote with Google Assistant, and you can enjoy a traditional live TV channel guide. It is sold separately.

Will it be televised?

Florida State and NC State will be televised on The ACC Network.

Preview

FSU’S REBOUND: The Seminoles have their own challenge of rebounding from their first loss, which knocked them from a No. 23 ranking in the AP Top 25. The Wake Forest loss came after the program’s first 4-0 start since the 2015 season under Jimbo Fisher.

“We know that we’ve got to go play our best game,” Seminoles coach Mike Norvell said. “That’s all I want to see our team do, is go out there and get better.”

HOME WINS: N.C. State has won 13 straight home games since losing to Miami in 2020. That is the nation’s fifth-longest active streak, trailing Clemson (37), No. 12 Oregon (22), No. 1 Alabama (16) and No. 2 Georgia (14).

TRAVIS’ EFFICIENCY: Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis isn’t having the same troubles finding downfield success as Leary. The fifth-year passer, who started his career at Louisville, leads the league and is tied for eighth in the Bowl Subdivision ranks by averaging 9.7 yards per pass attempt. His 14.77 yards per completion is an ACC high and 10th in FBS.

RISING STAR? Johnny Wilson is already a tough 1-on-1 matchup.

The Florida State receiver with a 6-foot-7, 235-pound frame has 19 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns. That surpasses his combined totals in all three categories from his first two college seasons at Arizona State (2020 and ‘21).

He leads the Seminoles in all three categories and is second in the ACC with 18.79 yards per reception.

INJURY UPDATES: FSU starting left tackle Robert Scott missed two games following an injury in the fourth quarter at Louisville. Scott has practiced the last two days, and Norvell said he is optimistic Scott will play on Saturday.

Norvell said he expects defensive end Jared Verse will be ready after being limited to 24 snaps against Wake Forest. In addition, reserve linebacker Amari Gainer looks likely to see some limited work Saturday. He hasn’t played since the opener.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.