DURHAM, N.C. - Whenever Florida State needs a bounce-back game, Duke's always there to oblige.<br>
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For the third straight year, the Seminoles enter their annual matchup with the Blue Devils after a loss this time a 4-point defeat at North Carolina State last week that knocked Bobby Bowden's team from the national rankings.<br>
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So once again, Florida State's looking to take out its frustrations on hapless Duke.<br>
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``We don't like to be (unranked). Let's put it like that,'' Bowden said. ``We've just got to climb back.''<br>
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Maybe Duke can help with that. One of the nation's most lopsided series resumes Saturday with the Seminoles looking to improve to 15-0 against the Blue Devils.<br>
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In 13 of 14 previous meetings, Florida State has scored at least 44 points against Duke. In the past two seasons, the Seminoles have won by an average of 26.5 points.<br>
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And while skeptics accuse Florida State (3-2, 1-2 ACC) of having a down year with those losses to Clemson and N.C. State, Duke coach Ted Roof isn't buying it.<br>
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``You look at the games they've lost ... there's speed all over the place in those programs. Sometimes the ball doesn't bounce your way,'' Roof said. ``But as far as them being down? I don't buy into that.<br>
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``They're a really good football team that's had a couple of bad breaks. That's what people on the sidewalk may say, but when I turn on the tape and I watch and see for myself, Florida State's not down.''<br>
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Still, the Blue Devils players maintain they have a reason for optimism namely, the way they hung with Alabama most of the way during their eventual 30-14 loss in Tuscaloosa.<br>
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Duke led 14-13 at halftime, and scored more points and gained more yards rushing in the first half of that game than it had all season combined.<br>
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``They give you a good view of a team that for three quarters outplayed Alabama,'' Bowden said. ``They scare you.''<br>
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Suddenly, Duke's midseason stretch against Alabama, Florida State and Miami seems more manageable now that none of those teams are in the national rankings.<br>
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``They're just another team to us,'' Duke defensive lineman Vince Oghobaase said. ``Who cares if they are a Top 25 team in the nation? We held strong against Alabama.''<br>
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Both teams have depleted defensive lines. Roof said nose guard Eli Nichols (leg) is out ``for a while.'' Florida State defensive end DJ Norris (inflamed shoulder) will miss his third straight game, and at nose guard starter Paul Griffin (knee) and backup Emmanuel Dunbar (back) are out indefinitely.<br>
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The Seminoles' injury woes help explain why they have lost two of their past three with the only win over Rice, hardly anyone's idea of a strong opponent.<br>
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``If we had that full deck out there, we maybe would not have some of the problems we are having right now,'' Bowden said. ``It just happens that they are all on defense.''
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