The Duke Blue Devils will host the Florida State Seminoles on Friday (7 p.m., ESPN2) at Wallace Wade Stadium in Week 8 of the college football season. Following its first loss and a week off, the Blue Devils (5-1, 1-1 ACC) will try to score their first victory in program history against the Seminoles (1-5, 1-4), who are 22-0 in the all-time series. Duke battled in Tallahassee last season, but FSU eventually pulled away late in a 38-20 win on its way to snagging the ACC championship. First-year Duke coach Manny Diaz was 2-1 against the 'Noles as the head coach at Miami.
The game will be a crucial one for both teams. The Blue Devils are looking to stay in contention for a spot in the ACC Championship Game, while the Seminoles are looking to turn their season around after a disappointing start. The game is also a chance for Duke to get its first-ever win over Florida State, which would be a huge upset for the Blue Devils.
Duke's Offense
The Blue Devils are led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Maalik Murphy, who has thrown for 1,431 yards, 14 touchdowns, and five interceptions this season. Murphy has been a steady presence for the Blue Devils, and he'll need to be at his best against a Seminoles defense that is known for its ability to create turnovers.
The Blue Devils are also getting good production from their running game, which is led by Star Thomas. Thomas, a transfer from New Mexico State, has rushed for 528 yards and three touchdowns this season. Thomas is a powerful runner who can break tackles and make big plays, and he'll be a key factor in the Blue Devils' offensive success.
FSU's Offense
The Seminoles are coming off a bye week, and they'll be looking to get their offense back on track. The Seminoles have struggled to score points this season, and they'll be looking to get their offense back on track against a Blue Devils defense that is one of the best in the ACC. The Seminoles will be without veteran quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, who remains sidelined with a hand injury. Freshman Brock Glenn will start in his place for the second consecutive game. In his first start against Clemson, Glenn completed 23 of 41 passes for 228 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
Duke's Defense
The Blue Devils' defense has been the strength of the team this season. The Blue Devils rank second in the ACC in both total yards allowed per game (309.3) and points allowed per game (17.5). The Blue Devils are led by linebacker Alex Howard, who leads the team with 47 total tackles and has also tallied 3.0 sacks. The Blue Devils' defense will be looking to keep the Seminoles' offense in check, and they'll need to be at their best to give the Blue Devils a chance to win this game.
FSU's Defense
The Seminoles have multiple players who will go on to be NFL Draft picks. The Florida State pass rush is among the best in the ACC, with four players each having 2.5 or more sacks for the season. Junior Patrick Payton leads the way with 4.0 sacks. The Seminoles' defense will be looking to pressure Murphy and create turnovers. They will also need to limit the Blue Devils' running game to give their offense a chance to succeed.
The Prediction
This game will be a close one, but I'm giving the edge to the Blue Devils. Duke has a strong defense, and they're playing at home. The Seminoles are struggling offensively, and they'll need to find a way to move the ball against a tough Blue Devils defense. The Blue Devils are also getting good production from their running game, and they'll be looking to wear down the Seminoles' defense. The Blue Devils will win a hard-fought battle.
Duke 24, FSU 17
Final Thoughts
This game is a great chance for the Blue Devils to make a statement. The Blue Devils are a good team, and they're playing with a lot of confidence. The Seminoles are struggling, and they'll need to play a near-perfect game to win this game. This game will be a good test for the Blue Devils, and it will be interesting to see how they perform on Friday night.
