Duke was coming off a solid 2012 season, but did anyone see the Blue Devils actually reaching the ACC Championship game (8 p.m. ET, ABC) in 2013? Heck no. No publication or prognosticator listed here picked them to finish higher than fifth in the Coastal Division. But here they are, outright winners of the division, set to tangle with Florida State with the league on the line.
2013 ACC Championship: Florida State vs. Duke TV time, preview and more
Here’s everything you need to know to catch the game between the Blue Devils and Seminoles.
Grant Halverson
The Blue Devils haven’t lost a game since September, though they haven’t seen a team as deep and talented as Florida State, which is (not surprisingly) a heavy favorite to win this game. The Seminoles averaged more than 51 points in league play while giving up just 12.3 per game. They won all 12 regular season games by multiple scores.
The numbers
Rankings and records: Florida State is 12-0 (8-0), ranked first in both major polls and tops in the BCS standings. Dukes comes in at 10-2 (6-2) and ranked 20th in both major polls. FSU has an 18-0 all-time record against the Blue Devils.
Vegas: Florida State opened as a 27.5-point favorite, while the over/under opened at 62.
Weather: The high in Charlotte is expected to reach the mid-50s. There is a decent chance of rain as well.
Three names to know
Jameis Winston -- Duke will be asking itself the same question 12 other teams have this season: "How do we limit Jameis Winston?" The Heisman frontrunner has thrown for 3,490 yards, 35 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He's put up those big numbers despite exiting several games early because FSU was so far ahead.
Anthony Boone -- Boone is riding a hot streak into Charlotte, which is good news for Duke. After a rough stretch against Virginia Tech and N.C. State, he's gone three games without throwing an interception, and he has connected on five touchdown throws over that span.
Rashad Greene -- Winston's favorite target leads the Seminoles with 914 receiving yards on 61 receptions. He's just one of several major offensive threats that FSU has at the skill positions.
Two things at stake
For Duke, it’s the opportunity to accomplish what had been unthinkable -- an ACC football title. Reaching 10 wins, which its already done, is impressive enough, and this season qualifies as a resounding success no matter what happens Saturday night. Capping the year with an upset over FSU and punching a ticket to a BCS bowl game, though? That would make this year truly amazing.
It’s simple for the Seminoles -- take care of business against the Blue Devils and they’re on their way to the BCS National Championship Game.
How to witness
TV: ABC, 8 p.m. ET
Online streaming: None.
Further reading
For additional coverage of the game, be sure to visit Florida State blog Tomahawk Nation and the Duke Basketball Report which, despite the name, does acknowledge the football team’s amazing run.
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