Quick hitter: FSU 56, Duke 35

Pre-Game Spread: Florida State, 3.5. Over/under 57

Score/Result: Florida State 56, Duke 35

Player of the Game (Offense): Jordan Travis is the easy pick — and for once, I’m gonna enjoy the simplicity of a blowout and go with the easy way out. Travis was electric today, showing off on the ground and through the air, hitting a great deep bill to Ontaria Wilson to set up an early score and hitting Kentron Poitier on a comeback that kept FSU successful on offense when things were starting to sputter.

Player of the Game (Defense): Growing pains were on full display for Brendan Gant, but so were the flashes of what could eventually be a big part of FSU’s defense. I’m cheating here by using a play of the game to validate a player of the game, but Gant’s forced fumble on a big hit on Chase Brice effectively turned the game for Florida State.

Key Statistic: 5. That’s how many different players scored for Florida State today, as the Seminoles put up their most productive day on the ground since at least 2016. Travis led a big part of that, but huge performances by Jashaun Corbin and Lawrance Toafili helped FSU on a day when they were especially thin at reciever.

Offensive Play of the Game: There are a hilarious amount to pick from this game, but to me, it was walk-on Treshaun Ward’s 26-yard rushing score that came on his first carry. That made things 21-0, which as we all know from Madden rules, meant the game was over. Of course, self-inflicted failures on FSU’s end allowed Duke to make it a game temporarily.

Defensive Play of the Game: Of course it’s the ridiculous inhuman one-handed interception that Travis Jay snagged today, which felt like the final dagger not in Duke, but in FSU’s insecurity in its own success. Once you have dudes doing stuff like that, it’s easy to retain a little confidence.

Game-Clinching Moment: Jordan Travis’ 27-yard rushing touchdown following a forced fumble made the game a two-score deficit again, the cushion required to give FSU a little breathing room.

What Do They Need To Do?: Take this into Wake next week —- not just the success, but what led to the failure. Overpursuit, overthinking and not reacting and getting out of rhythm disrupted what was at first a relatively flawless game for Florida State. Getting this win was huge for FSU ahead of the Early Signing Period, getting another win next week will be huge for the program moving forward.