For the first time in Duke football history, the Blue Devils will compete in the ACC Championship game, facing the No. 1 Florida State Seminoles. Kick-off is at 8 p.m. at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Here are the keys to tonight’s game:
Force Winston Into Poor Decision-Making
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston has allegedly made some questionable decisions off the field, so it is up to Duke’s defense to force him into making poor decisions on the field. It is easy to forget that he is only 19 years old and it is his first year starting for the Seminoles, but Winston is not experienced on the big stage. The ACC Player of the Year has thrown just eight interceptions on the year, but three of the eight have come in Florida State’s biggest games, against Clemson and Miami. It will certainly not be a simple task to apply pressure on Winston with three First-Team All-ACC offensive linemen in Cameron Erving, Tre’ Jackson and Bryan Stork protecting him. With Kenny Anunike and the pass rush likely to have their hands full, expect head coach David Cutcliffe to send safeties and linebackers Winston’s way.
Get Out To A Fast Start
Florida State may be the nation’s fastest-starting team, known for breaking big plays early and putting the game out of opponent’s reach in the first quarter. With three All-ACC receivers in Rashad Greene, Kelvin Benjamin and Kenny Shaw, and an All-ACC tight end, Nick O’Leary, the Seminoles can score quickly with ease. Once ahead, they can control the clock and still build on their lead behind the explosive two-headed rushing attack of Devonta Freeman and James Wilder, Jr. For the Blue Devils, it is essential that they prove to themselves that they can compete with the nation’s top-ranked team and that they avoid getting beat for big plays in the early moments of the game.
Rely on the Running Game
Florida State’s defense features future NFL stars at almost every position, but the unit’s strength is undoubtedly the secondary. Going up against arguably the best cornerback in the country, Lamarcus Joyner, Jamison Crowder’s production is likely to be severely limited. Thus, Duke must turn to the run game to move the ball downfield and to open up the pass game by forcing safeties Terrence Brooks and Nate Andrews to help in stopping the run. The Seminoles have had some trouble stopping the run at times this year, allowing an average of 118 yards per game. Against Florida State, Boston College’s Andre Williams rushed for 149 yards on 28 carries, Clemson’s Roderick McDowell ran for 61 yards on just 11 carries, and Miami’s Duke Johnson carried 23 times for 97 yards before leaving the game with an injury. Duke must use the ground game to control the clock and keep Florida State’s offense off the field.
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