Week 8 SEC Picks and College Football Best Bets
By Evan Ertel
No. 16 Duke @ No. 4 FSU (-13.5) (O/U 48.5)
Evan: I really have enjoyed watching Duke play ball this year. I think they are a gritty team that can go down to Tallahassee and shock the presumed No. 1 team in the ACC. They hung a little too close to Clemson to make me think that FSU has any ability to close out a game as soundly as the spread calls for here. Duke +13.5
Justin: With this being at home, I really want to pick FSU, but it seems like a big number to cover against the 16th-ranked team in the country. I think Duke can keep this to around 10. Duke: +13.5
Ethan: Duke has never beaten FSU. Not once. Not ever. I’d love to see that streak come to an end, but I don’t think it will this season. FSU has, at times, looked capable of competing in the College Football Playoffs. Duke has been a thrilling team to keep up with, but there’s probably a pretty good reason this spread is so high. Florida State -13.5
Andrew: This likely hinges on whether or not Riley Leonard is able to go and if he’s able to play at his typical level. If so, I could see the Blue Devils covering this number. But the fact it’s a 2 TD spread suggests to me that Vegas doesn’t anticipate him playing, and I don’t think Duke will rush him back to play a game they likely still lose even with him healthy. Definitely a tough call to make, but I’ll take the Noles. Florida State -13.5
Ryan: I have liked what Duke has done this season and think they are a tough team but if Riley Leonard isn’t 100% I do not think they are going to be able to keep up with Florida State on the road in that environment. I’ll take the Seminoles here. Florida State -13.5
John: Fun story: I did my geology field camp with several great people from the University of North Carolina. Duke is a great story but I’m still obligated to hate them. Florida State -13.5