First look: No. 16 Duke football travels to No. 4 Florida State in an ACC showdown
No. 16 Duke burst on to the national college football stage with its season-opening win over Clemson and a narrow loss to Notre Dame at home.
For the Blue Devils’ third high-profile act this season, they’ll face their third ranked team of the season — but do so away from home.
Duke heads to No. 4 Florida State for Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. game at Doak Campbell Stadium between a pair of teams unbeaten in ACC play.
The Seminoles (6-0, 4-0 ACC) appear well on their way to an ACC championship game appearance and have a good chance to make the four-team College Football Playoff field. For Duke (5-1, 2-0 ACC) to stay in the race for a top-two finish in the ACC regular-season standings and a title game berth, the Blue Devils must clear a tough stretch that starts at Florida State.
After the Seminoles, Duke plays at No. 21 Louisville (6-1, 3-1 ACC) the following Saturday. The league’s other unbeaten team, No. 10 North Carolina (6-0, 3-0), awaits Duke for a clash in Chapel Hill on Nov. 11.
Duke will have to earn a trip to Charlotte for the ACC championship game. But that’s a long way off. First comes a regular-season matchup with Florida State in prime time on ABC in front of what’s expected to be a television audience in the millions.
The Blue Devils aren’t sure who their quarterback will be on Saturday night, though. Starting quarterback Riley Leonard wasn’t in uniform against N.C. State as he recovers from the high ankle sprain he suffered late in Duke’s 21-14 loss to Notre Dame on Sept. 30.
Leonard is walking without a noticeable limp and isn’t in need of crutches or a walking boot. Duke’s plan is to see how he progresses this week before making a decision on his availability on Saturday.
Redshirt freshman Henry Belin IV played quarterback for Duke against N.C. State. He only completed 4 of 12 passes, but threw for a pair of touchdowns. He was also intercepted once.
Key matchup: Duke D vs. FSU O
Having played half its regular-season schedule, Duke is one of four teams allowing less than 10 points per game this season. Duke’s scoring defense is No. 4 in the nation, having surrendered 59 points (9.8 per game). Only Michigan (6.7), Penn State (8.0) and Ohio State (9.7) have allowed fewer.
Saturday’s game at Tallahassee represents a stern test for the Blue Devils, though. Florida State is No, 7 nationally in scoring offense at 42.2 points per game. Florida State has topped 40 points in three games and has yet to score fewer than 31 points in any game this season.
Something’s gotta give in this one.
Duke player to watch
Linebacker Tre Freeman is having a breakout season for the Blue Devils.
The redshirt sophomore from Durham’s Northern High School recorded 15 tackles in Saturday night’s win over N.C. State while also intercepting a pass. He was credited with 1.5 of Duke’s eight tackles for losses against the Wolfpack. Pro Football Focus gave him a 76.5 grade for the game, considered “high quality” in its rating system. That’s Freeman’s best game score this season.
So the 6-foot, 231-pound Freeman is playing his best football as the Blue Devils enter a key game in their quest to win an ACC championship. Duke will need more of that to slow the high-powered Seminoles.
Vegas betting odds
The Seminoles were set as a heavy favorite on Sunday, when the opening lines had FSU favored by as many as 15.5 points.
No. 16 Duke at No. 4 Florida State
Teams: Duke Blue Devils (5-1, 2-0 ACC) vs. Florida State Seminoles (6-0, 4-0 ACC)
Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 21
Time: 7:30 p.m.
TV: ABC
Stream: DIRECTV Stream, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, SlingTV