In a season full of ominous milestones, the Florida State Seminoles have yet another one at stake this weekend:  their perfect record against the Duke Blue Devils.

Florida State is 19-0 all-time against Duke, but that mark could be in jeopardy when the Seminoles and Blue Devils kick off at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham at noon on Saturday.

There have been many games in the series where there has been a lopsided margin statistically between the two teams.

Nearly all of those occasions have featured the Seminoles proudly boasting the better numbers.

But this year is a big exception.

The Blue Devils come into Saturday averaging 31.5 points per game (57^th in the nation), while the Seminoles have only mustered 18.5 points per game through four contests (118^th in the nation out of 129 teams).

The Seminoles (124.0 rushing yards per game- 104^th nationally) are also well behind the Blue Devils (203.7 rushing yards per game- 34^th nationally) in run game statistics.

Florida State seems to be back on the right track, though, as the ‘Noles ground game has started to get some traction the past two weeks.

The Seminoles rushed for a season-high 203 yards against 13^th ranked Miami last week.

Still, while there have been improvements, the bottom line is the Seminoles are just 1-3 through for games.

“We can do better,” Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher said.  “Don’t have to do differently.  We’re on the verge of doing things.  We just have to keep coaching better, put them in position.  And we’ve got that.”

All three of those losses came to teams ranked in the top 20 (No. 1 Alabama, No. 11 Miami, No. 20 NC State), but the Seminoles will have no excuses to make if they fail to become bowl eligible this season.

They’ll need to win five of their final seven games to make that happen, and with matchups against Louisville, second-ranked Clemson, and Florida still on the schedule, they can’t afford a loss to a team like Duke.

David Cutcliffe’s Blue Devils started the season on fire at 4-0, but they’ve come back to earth in back-to-back losses to Miami (31-6) and Virginia (28-21).

Duke has been opportunistic defensively, ranked first in the nation in defensive touchdowns (4) and second in interceptions (10).

But the Blue Devils will need better play from sophomore quarterback Daniel Jones (199 pass yards per game, 6 TD, 5 INT) if they want to finally beat the Seminoles.

Seminoles true freshman quarterback James Blackman is getting better and better every week, and he was at his best in the fourth quarter against the Hurricanes with two touchdown passes that nearly propelled the ‘Noles to their eighth straight win over Miami.

“He reads the middle of the field,” Fisher said.  “Just the experience of being in there with different looks.  As that game went on, you could see the trust factor come on, and he started pulling the trigger.”

Blackman has found great chemistry with junior wide receiver Auden Tate (Wharton HS), who has a touchdown reception in every game and leads all Seminoles receivers in each major category (16 receptions, 282 yards, 4 TD).

With second-leading receiver Keith Gavin out with an injury and George Campbell (East Lake HS) questionable, the Seminoles will need to have other receivers step up their level of play.

Nyqwan Murray (Oak Ridge HS) and tight end Ryan Izzo could be in line for more targets, and they’ll need to produce to keep Florida State’s offense moving.

Here’s more on Saturday’s game between two programs much in need of a win.

KEY MATCHUP

FSU OFFENSIVE LINE VS. DUKE DEFENSIVE LINE

Florida State’s offensive line has been under the microscope, and the Seminoles have been slow out of the gate with their running game this season.

Last week may have been a big breakthrough, however, for both the offensive line and the backs.

Both true freshman Cam Akers (20 rush, 121 yards) and Timber Creek High School alum Jacques Patrick (11 rush, 91 yards) were on their game against Miami, and Patrick has rushed for 211 yards and a touchdown over the past two weeks combined.

The Seminoles will be in for a test to replicate those numbers against a Duke defensive front that is giving up just 88 rushing yards per game (7^th in the nation).

The Blue Devils hare also sack happy up front, ranking 13^th in the nation in sacks per game (3.17) and sixth in tackles for a loss per game (8.3).

Defensive tackle Mike Ramsay (4.5 sacks) has at least one sack in every game he’s played in this season.

X-FACTOR

RICKY AGUAYO- FLORIDA STATE

The kicking game has been one of Florida State’s strengths, and sophomore placekicker Ricky Aguayo has been lights out this year.

He’s made 10 of his 11 kicks since having a field goal blocked in the season opening loss to Alabama, including ten consecutive.

This game could come down to who makes more field goals, and having Aguayo on his team makes Coach Fisher feel confident if it’s up to the kickers.

THE PICK

FLORIDA STATE 23, DUKE 17

Aguayo comes through with three long field goals to supplement a Seminoles offense that sputters early before finishing a pair of drives in the second half.

The difference will be the three turnovers Florida State forces.

It won’t be a work of art, but the win streak over Duke reaches 20 games and the ‘Noles even their mark at 2-2 in ACC play.