Florida State Ready for Either Quarterback in Top-25 Showdown Against Duke

"You've got to prepare for all, and for us, we're expecting Riley to play."

One of the biggest home games of the season is closing in fast when the No. 4 Florida State Seminoles (6-0, 4-0 ACC) take on the No. 16 Duke Blue Devils (5-1, 2-0 ACC) on Saturday, October 21 inside Doak Campbell Stadium. 

There are a few question marks for both teams regarding health, but more important to Duke is whether or not starting quarterback Riley Leonard will play this weekend or if his backup Henry Belin IV will take his place. Leonard has been recovering from a leg injury and has been unable to play for the last few weeks.

READ MORE: Duke Head Coach Gives Major Praise to Florida State Ahead of Top 25 Matchup

FSU head coach Mike Norvell says they have a plan regardless of who is under center come game time.

"You've got to prepare for all, and for us, we're expecting Riley to play, and that's how we're going to go about it," Norvell said to the media after Tuesday's practice. "If something changes or if we have to adjust then we will during the course of the game, but we have a plan for all things."

If the Blue Devils do decide on starting Belin it would be the second start for the redshirt freshman. In their 24-3 win over NC State last weekend, he went 4-12 for 107 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. 

"Obviously, the quarterback that played this past game, it was his first start, and I thought he did a good job in how he was able to come in and push the ball down the field vertically, hit a couple of big plays," Norvell said of Belin. "They did a great job in the run game, and he's definitely somebody you've got to be accountable to in the run game.

There will also be a familiar face helping whichever quarterback goes under center. Duke offensive coordinator Kevin Johns and Norvell have spent time together as Johns was Norvell's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach when he was head coach at Memphis. 

"Great person, you know, cares about the guys he coaches. He comes to work every day with the proper attitude of trying to make an impact, and you see it in how they play," Norvell said. "I mean, they play tough, they play physical, very, very well. You could always tell what they're trying to accomplish in the things that they do. So, I mean, he's just a really good coach."

The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC.

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READ MORE: Kickoff Time, TV Channel Finalized For FSU's Top-25 Matchup Against The Duke Blue Devils

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