Duke vs. Florida State Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can the Blue Devils Slow Down Jordan Travis, Seminoles?
The Week 8 college football slate delivers a good matchup between the No. 16 Duke Blue Devils and the No. 4 Florida State Seminoles. Can the Blue Devils slow down Jordan Travis, Seminoles? Matt MacKay shares his prediction and pick for the ACC matchup between Duke and Florida State.
Matt MacKay - October 16, 2023, 10:15 AM EDT
7 minDuke vs. Florida State Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can the Blue Devils Slow Down Jordan Travis, Seminoles?
The Week 8 college football slate delivers a good matchup between two ACC programs, as the No. 16 Duke Blue Devils will travel to Tallahassee, Florida, to face the No. 4 Florida State Seminoles.
Duke had its chance to come away with a huge upset at home over Notre Dame a couple of weeks ago, but Sam Hartman and Audric Estime led the Fighting Irish on a game-winning drive to end the Blue Devils' undefeated record. This also resulted in an injury to QB1, Riley Leonard, who appears to be on track toward playing in Week 8 after sustaining a leg injury on the final drive against Notre Dame.
Duke played good enough without Leonard against NC State in Week 7, winning 24-3, but its quarterback play was suspect to say the least. They'll need more against the Seminoles, who have been cruising through their last two games, beating Virginia Tech and Syracuse by at least 22 points each. However, Florida State has looked pedestrian at times this season, nearly losing to Boston College and Clemson in back-to-back road games earlier this season.
Will the Blue Devils deliver a road upset as +480 moneyline underdogs? Or will Seminoles' quarterback Jordan Travis and the high-flying Seminoles offense continue surging at home in prime time? NCAAF handicapper Matt MacKay is back to share his latest prediction and pick for Duke vs. Florida State in a prime time ACC matchup between two ranked opponents.
Duke vs. Florida State Date, Time, and Where To Watch
- Date: Saturday, October 21, 2023
- Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: ABC
Duke vs. Florida State Odds
- Spread: Duke +13.5 (-102), Florida State -13.5 (-120)
- Total Odds: Under 49 (-110), Over 49 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: Duke (+480), Florida State (-690)
Duke vs. Florida State Injury Report
Duke
Questionable: QB Riley Leonard (Leg), TE Nicky Dalmolin (Undisclosed)
Out: N/A
Florida State
Questionable: WR Johnny Wilson (Undisclosed), WR Destyn Hill (Foot)
Out: N/A
Duke vs. Florida State Prediction
A lot of this game hinges on Riley Leonard's availability for Duke. Without him, the Blue Devils' QB2, Henry Belvin IV, went an abysmal 4-of-12 for 107 yards, but managed two touchdown passes in a game where Duke scored 24 unanswered points. Leonard's legs are the key to the Duke offense though, as Belvin IV went 5-28 as a ball carrier last weekend.
Florida State's offense is high-octane and features numerous NFL prospects, like wideout Keon Coleman and running back Trey Benson, but its defense is the unsung hero. The Seminoles are ranked 23rd in points allowed per game this season, holding opponents to three total passing touchdowns. This includes their impressive Week 1 win over LSU, which we have seen deploy a high-caliber offense since that loss occurred. This is a testament to Florida State's defense under head coach, Mike Norvell.
Duke will have to run the football to compete in this matchup. The Seminoles allow 5.3 YPC and have surrendered at least two rushing touchdowns in three of its six games played, meaning Jordan Waters and Jacquez Moore will need to continue to churn out production from Duke's backfield. It could work. However, Florida State has won each of the last five head-to-head matchups decisively. It's a new team on both sidelines from their last encounter in 2020, but the Seminoles' offense is balanced and can attack downfield through the air or using its tandem of running backs.
Duke's defense might be better than Florida State's. The Blue Devils have held their past three opponents to zero passing touchdowns, including Notre Dame, while keeping NC State out of the end zone for the entire game in Week 6. It's good enough to slow down Travis and the Seminoles' offense, at least as +13.5 ATS underdogs. Let's roll with the Blue Devils to cover +13.5 at -102 odds on FanDuel, as they rely on low-scoring games and chewing clock with its run game to stay competitive.
Duke vs. Florida State Pick
- Duke +13.5 (-102) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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