O'Brien gives Pack players a few days off before preparing for FSU

After losing in overtime at rival East Carolina, and with no game this weekend, NC State coach Tom O'Brien figured his players needed a little time off.

"We will get on the football field for the tomorrow for the first time since saturday," O'Brien said Wednesday. "I gave the fellas a few days off. They're tired and we need to try to get back both mentally and physically."

The Wolfpack hosts Florida State Thursday, Oct. 28 in a primetime ESPN game that could put the season back on track or continue to bring the Pack down to earth.

State, 5-2, got off to a 4-0 start before losing heartbreakers to Virginia Tech at home and ECU on the road.

"I think we are a much more competitive football team than we've been the past three years," O'Brien said. "That's due a lot to the young kids growing up and getting much more experience. But the biggest thing is we haven't suffered the devastating injuries we have the last two years."

He said not only is the team healthier overall but deeper since the players who had to step in over the last couple of years now have more experience.

Florida State is 6-1 and atop the Atlantic Division with a 4-0 mark. The winner of this game would be the favorite to take the division.

"We have a huge challenge but thank God we have some time to rest," O'Brien said. "Hopefully we can regroup and have a great night next Thursday night."