TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Duke-FSU Preview

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 27, 2007

Duke (1-6, 0-4 ACC) at Florida State (4-3, 1-3)

KICKOFF: 8 p.m.; Tallahassee

TV/RADIO: ESPNU/WWBA, 1040 AM

THE LINE: Florida State by 17 1/2

KEEP AN EYE ON

Duke - Sophomore QB Thaddeus Lewis is quickly moving up Duke's all-time passing charts, already ranking in the top 10 in school history in nearly every major category. Lewis, who has 27 career TD passes in 1 1/2 seasons, is the first Duke QB to throw 10 or more TD passes in both his freshman and sophomore seasons.

FSU - In a shocking development - OK, not really - the Noles have changed quarterbacks again. Remember when Xavier Lee came off the bench against Alabama and led FSU to victory? Remember a dejected Drew Weatherford wondering if he had thrown his last pass of the season? Well, Weatherford gets another shot to start against Duke and it's his job to lose, according to offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher.

KEY STAT

Duke - The Blue Devils have a few holes on defense. The unit is allowing opponents to average 33.9 points a game.

FSU - The Seminoles score often and quickly against Duke. In the past three meetings, 19 of FSU's 23 scoring drives have taken less than three minutes.

INJURY UPDATE

Duke - DE Patrick Bailey (leg), WR Raphael Chestnut (knee), LB Charles Robinson (knee), G Ben Loebner (ankle), DE Ryan Radloff (back), FB Tielor Robinson (ankle), out.

FSU - LB Marcus Ball (ankle), LG Rodney Hudson (knee), FB Marcus Sims (ankle), out; DT Emmanuel Dunbar (concussion), questionable; DT Andre Fluellen (elbow/hand), WR Greg Carr (wrist), DT Budd Thacker (toe/ankle), probable.

AT STAKE

Duke - The Blue Devils are 0-15 all-time against FSU. For FSU fans who thought last season's 30-0 home loss to Wake Forest was rock bottom, think again if Duke somehow manages to pull off an upset. In the eyes of FSU fans, Duke is supposed to beat the Noles in basketball, not football.
FSU - After back-to-back fourth-quarter collapses against Wake Forest and Miami, FSU needs a win in the worst way to restore confidence and the momentum it built with its four-game winning streak earlier this season.

KEY MATCHUPS

When Duke has the ball - QB Thaddeus Lewis is the fuel that ignites Duke. With very little help in the backfield - the Blue Devils average only 66.9 yards on the ground - Lewis probably will throw 40 to 50 times, meaning FSU's secondary better be refocused after allowing Miami's Kirby Freeman to get hot on the Canes' game-winning drive last week.

When FSU has the ball - QB Drew Weatherford needs to find a rhythm early, something he was unable to do in his last start against Alabama. For him to do so, look for WR Preston Parker to get a lot of looks in the open field, and RB Antone Smith to get plenty of carries to keep Duke guessing.

PREDICTION

QB Thaddeus Lewis will keep this game closer than expected, so don't expect a blowout like normal. However, FSU is determined to get back to winning, especially following a stinging defeat to Miami that forced the Noles to question their focus and intensity. FSU QB Drew Weatherford might not light up the night, but expect him to do enough for a victory.

Score: FSU 33, Duke 20

Compiled by Scott Carter

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT