Duke's stout defense sets sights on No. 4 Florida State

By Ryan Bisesi, WRAL multiplatform producer

Durham, N.C. — After turning heads in the first half in the season, Duke now has everyone in the ACC's attention.

In a season where Duke has been spotlighted for stunning Clemson on opening night and nearly upsetting Notre Dame, another tall task lies ahead for the Blue Devils if they want to keep being disrupters.

Duke faces 6-0 Florida State on Saturday night on another big stage. It might be Duke's biggest trip to Tallahassee since 1994, when a 7-0 Duke team got trounced by the Seminoles 59-20. There's only been two previous meetings where both teams were ranked with the Seminoles winning them both by a combined 77 points.

Duke coach Mike Elko likes where his team is at following an impressive 24-3 victory against NC State in which his squad, minus its starting quarterback, thoroughly dominated a rival. Henry Belvin IV only needed to complete 4-of-12 passes, one of which was a deep shot to Jalon Calhoun in single coverage for a touchdown. Later in the half, an eight-yard toss on a play action to Jeremiah Hasley in the end zone after an interception put Duke in the driver's seat for good.

Duke will undoubtedly need the defense to maintain its form and get more big-yardage plays to have a shot against FSU. A more competitive outcome feels likely this time around, with Duke's defense ranking at No. 16 in the country and fourth in the country in touchdowns allowed (four). The Blue Devils are allowing just 9.8 points per game so far and is second in the country in red zone defense.

"There's a challenge of being on the whole different type of atmosphere and environment and level of emotions that you've got to push through," Elko said on Monday in a media availability. "And so I think our team is now used to going through a week where they're talking about the game that we're going to play."

FSU is a 13.5-point favorite and 24th in the country in total offense, putting itself in the College Football Playoff conversation midway through the season. The Seminoles rolled against Syracuse 41-3 on Saturday and have scored at least 31 points in every game.

"Obviously, they're not just a team, they're a program," Elko said. "You can see the energy and passion they play the game with."

"They've got skill to burn all over the place. Two really talented wide receivers. And he can make it through four or five other guys and you don't see any drop-off at all."

Elko said starting quarterback Riley Leonard was still day-to-day while still fighting off the pain from an ankle injury suffered against Notre Dame.

FSU receiver Johnny Wilson is expected to be available after missing Saturday's game against Syracuse with an injury. Quarterback Jordan Travis is on path for what might be his best season with 13 touchdowns and just one interception.

"He's never out of a play," Elko said of Wilson. "You can be in phenomenal coverage and there's still a window to throw them the football."