Duke Looks to Make History Against Struggling Florida State
Friday, October 18, 2024 at 7:00 PM EDT – Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium
This Friday night showdown pits the surging Duke Blue Devils (5-1) against a Florida State Seminoles (1-5) squad desperate for a turnaround. Both teams are coming off a bye week, giving them extra time to prepare for this intriguing ACC matchup.
Recent History:
- Duke is looking to rebound from their first loss of the season, a 24-14 defeat at the hands of Georgia Tech.
- Florida State enters this game reeling after a 29-13 loss to Clemson, their fifth defeat of the season.
The Matchup:
Duke has been one of the surprise stories of the college football season. Quarterback Maalik Murphy has been impressive, throwing for 1,431 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions while completing 60.1% of his passes. Star Thomas leads the Blue Devils’ ground attack with 528 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. On the defensive side, Duke ranks 15th nationally in passing yards allowed and has generated 18 sacks and 4 interceptions.
Florida State, on the other hand, is experiencing one of its worst starts in nearly 50 years. The Seminoles have struggled mightily on offense, particularly in the running game where they rank near the bottom of the nation. They face a tough challenge against a Duke defense that has been stingy against the pass.
Key Storylines:
- History in the Making: Duke has never beaten Florida State. With the Seminoles struggling and the Blue Devils playing well at home, this could be their best chance to finally break through.
- Bowl Eligibility on the Line: A win for Duke would make them bowl eligible.
- Trap Game Potential: Florida State has Miami looming next week. Will they be looking ahead and overlook a dangerous Duke team?
Betting Odds:
- Duke is favored by 3.5 points. BetOnline
- The over/under is set at 42.5 points.
Our Prediction:
While Duke appears to have the advantage on paper, caution is advised. Florida State has faced a significantly tougher schedule than Duke, with games against Clemson, SMU, Cal, Memphis, BC, and Georgia Tech. The Seminoles still possess talent on both sides of the ball and could be poised to turn things around.
Rather than picking a winner, we recommend playing the UNDER on the 42.5 point total. Both teams have strong defenses, and Florida State’s offensive struggles could lead to a low-scoring affair.
Expect a hard-fought, defensive battle with Duke ultimately emerging victorious in a close game.