Mike Norvell: It's going to take our best game against Duke

This season, the Florida State Seminoles are the top team in the ACC thus far, led by head coach Mike Norvell. But there is an unlikely foe who sits just behind them in the conference standings, looking to take over the top spot in Week 8 — the Duke Blue Devils.

Duke has quietly and comfortably sat in the AP top 25 for much of this year. Currently, the Blue Devils rank No. 17 and have a 5-1 record, with their lone loss of the season coming out of conference to Notre Dame on the road. Considering that fact, Norvell and the Seminoles have no intention of taking it easy on Duke in Week 8. When discussing their upcoming matchup on Tuesday, the Florida State headman revealed what he believes it will take for the Seminoles to walk out of Saturday’s contest victorious.

“You watch film, and you see really good players. They’ve been productive, they’ve done everything they needed to do,” said Norvell. “They’re one play away in that Notre Dame game; I mean, you kind of felt for him for how it all played out. But this is a very, very talented team, and it’s one that you don’t need to give a motivational speech to any of our guys because they know the challenge that’s ahead. And it’s going to take our best game. You know, I’m looking forward to the continued week of preparation. But yeah, our guys know.”

Saturday’s contest between Florida State and Duke will pit one of the ACC’s top offenses against one of its top defenses.

Since coming over from Michigan State during the offseason, wide receiver Keon Coleman has established himself as an elite pass catcher for the Seminoles. This year, Coleman has hauled in 29 catches for 418 yards and seven touchdowns, leading the Seminoles in all three major statistical pass-catching categories. At the same time, Duke’s defense this year has been on par with Florida State’s offensive output. The Blue Devils have suffocated their opponents, allowing just 9.8 points per contest; good for fourth in the category in all of college football.

Norvell and the Seminoles can ill-afford to look beyond the Blue Devils on Saturday. Despite being highly favored in the matchup, one misstep against their ACC foe could spell disaster for Florida State as they continue their quest to be crowned kings of the conference and punch their ticket to this year’s College Football Playoff.