Week 8 is upon us. And with that, the Devils have their heart in mouth as the Seminoles hit the road for the ACC clash on Friday in North Carolina. After almost a year’s wait since the two powerhouses came across at Doak Campbell Stadium in front of a sold-out crowd of 79,560, and the Florida State Seminoles edged 38-20 over the Duke Blue Devils. However, the history is not on Duke’s side. The Blue Devils have not beaten the Seminoles in college history, trailing 0-22.

That said, in Friday’s Devils arena showdown, the home side will be desperate to make it 1-22 to start their era. The Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium face-off is going to be oddly competitive. Couldn’t ask for more on a Friday night. The FSU (1-5), fighting off two consecutive losses against Clemson and SMU, with their only W against California, are blaming the heavens for an awful start. While the Devils praised the heavens for a marvellous start (5-1), they only recently lost to Georgia in week 7. Call it the tale of fives. The game will sound even more interesting with the voices of Wes Durham and Tom Luginbill on the ACC networks.

Meet the Broadcasters: Wes Durham and Tom Luginbill

Wes Durham is a veteran play-by-play announcer. He has been the ACC network’s go-to name-caller for years now. The son of legendary broadcaster Woody Durham, the broadcasting has been in Wes’s DNA. He has carved out a stellar career, becoming one of the most trusted voices in college football. He’s been with the ACC Network since its inception in 2019. He brings his sharp insights and rich experience to the booth.

After being the major voice for Georgia Tech football and men’s basketball teams from the start of the 1995-1996 season. He became Georgia Tech’s Director of Broadcasting and was the radio play-by-play announcer for the Atlanta Falcons. Wes went to Elon College and learned about broadcasting while working as an undergraduate assistant on the Elon Sports Network. Whether it’s a pivotal ACC clash or a nail-biting last-second play, Durham’s ability to capture the intensity of the moment is unrivalled.

On the other hand, Tom Luginbill is no stranger to the football world either. After all, he was the starting QB for three colleges. He threw for Palomar College, a junior college, from 1992 to 1993, where he amassed 21 wins. Luginbill’s voice domination started before joining the ACC Network as a full-time analyst. He was a key figure on ESPN. Working alongside big names like Dave Pasch and Dusty Dvoracek. It must be quite a flex in the announcing booth.

Known for his in-depth analysis and deep knowledge of both college and high school football, Luginbill brings years of scouting and coaching experience. With praises already coming in from his well-known colleague, “I’m excited about this year, too, because I think Tom Luginbill is much deserving of an opportunity to be a booth analyst,”. Their legendary play-by-play analysis will be one to watch apart from the epic gridiron clash. Or shall I say one to hear!

The Duke Blue Devils are hungrier than ever

With coach Manny Diaz leading the charge, Duke’s defense is among the top in the ACC this season. And QB Grayson Loftis, with 1,006 yards, eight touchdowns and just 4 interceptions, is like the cherry on top. Combined with RB Jaquez Moore with 674 yards and six touchdowns. The Blue Devils boast a potent ground game that could keep FSU’s defense on its heels.

The Devil’s current coach Diaz has some Seminole in him. The Miami native is a Florida State alum. And his first coaching role with the Seminoles was as a graduate assistant in 1998-99, so he might have some inside knowledge on how to wreck the FSU boat. So, Duke’s have got the best shot this time.