Florida State Aims to Break Losing Streak Against Duke

The Florida State University (FSU) Seminoles are set to challenge the Duke University Blue Devils in a rare Friday night college football game, aiming to hold onto their undefeated record against the Blue Devils. The face-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, and will be nationally broadcast on ESPN2.

This game comes at a critical juncture for FSU, which has struggled throughout the season, currently holding a 1-5 record. Their last outing was a discouraging 23-16 defeat by Clemson, leaving them eager to improve their offensive game. With the regular quarterback sidelined due to injury, the team will once again turn to their backup, who managed to complete 23 of 41 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns during the Clemson match.

On the opposing end, Duke enters the field with a stronger 5-1 record after enjoying a bye week. Under the guidance of head coach Manny Diaz, the Blue Devils have demonstrated significant progress in Diaz’s inaugural season. Quarterback Maalik Murphy‘s performance will be pivotal; in their previous game, a 24-14 setback against Georgia Tech, Murphy threw two touchdowns and one interception.

Historically, FSU has dominated this matchup, winning all 22 previous encounters. However, Duke is within reach of bowl eligibility and seeks its first-ever victory against the Seminoles. Expectations for a high-stakes contest are heightened as both teams emerge from an open week, allowing for strategic preparations.

The betting odds, as provided by BetMGM, currently favor Duke by a narrow margin, with a 3-point spread and an expected point total of 42.5. This reflects the anticipated low-scoring nature of the game, as predicted by Liam Rooney, an analyst who highlighted FSU’s ongoing struggles in both passing and rushing offenses.

Commentator Mike Monaco, alongside former NFL linebacker Kirk Morrison, will provide live analysis from the broadcast booth, while Dawn Davenport reports from the sidelines. Viewers without cable can access the game through several streaming platforms offering free trials, ensuring wide accessibility for fans.

As these two ACC competitors meet, all eyes are on whether Duke can capitalize on FSU’s vulnerabilities or if the Seminoles can disrupt Duke’s hopeful stride toward achieving a landmark victory.