Duke Blue Devils vs Virginia Cavaliers Preview

It is not the Duke Blue Devils who enter tomorrow’s matchup as the leader in the Coastal Division. It is the Virginia Cavaliers. The Cavaliers have been the good story this season so far in the ACC with victories over Louisville and Pittsburgh. The Cavalier defense has arrived and that has been the difference.

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Do not doubt the Devils though. Duke went down and won at Georgia Tech last week for a reason, to get back to the top of the Coastal Division following a loss at Miami. That mission must continue this week against Virginia or it was all for naught.

Date: October 18

Time: 12:30 PM

TV: ACC Network

Venue: Wallace Wade Stadium

Last Time: 2013

It was a big day for Duke receivers last year as Jamison Crowder had nine catches for 119 yards and touchdown. Braxton Deaver had two touchdowns and almost a hundred yards receiving. Duke was down 22-0 in this game before scoring 35 unanswered points.

Sep 27, 2014; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers head coach Mike London (right) congratulates Cavaliers defensive lineman Darrious Carter (99) on the sidelines against the Kent State Golden Flashes in the fourth quarter at Scott Stadium. The Cavaliers won 45-13. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Opponent: Virginia Cavaliers (4-2)

Coach Mike London was on the hot seat entering this season and has responded with a good showing of 4-2 with his losses against UCLA close and BYU close. He even has a victory over Louisville that nobody predicted at the beginning of the year.

As much as North Carolina’s quarterback rotation has come under fire, Virginia has also played multiple quarterbacks this year and each one seems to be just about as productive as the other. Matt Johns, the sophomore, impressed in camp. The team captain and starter is Greyson Lambert. They are about the same size, but Johns has thrown for more touchdowns.

Oct 4, 2014; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers running back Kevin Parks (25) carries the ball past Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Matt Galambos (47) in the first quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Virginia has been about the offensive line since the days of Al Groh, and the current line has played well. Senior running back Kevin Parks has 427 yards rushing and three scores through workman-like effort. The Virginia offense is a pro-style system relying on enough rushing to create play action situations.

Pulling the strings of a young and developing Virginia defense is career defensive coordinator John Tenuta, who knows the ACC pretty well by now. Tenuta believes in aggressive schemes to force mistakes by opposing offenses.

For Duke, the Devils will be relying on Laken Tomlinson on the line to keep the pocket safe for quarterback Anthony Boone. Discipline is the answer against Tenuta. Duke will need to play turnover free football to win at home

Prediction:

When dealing with close games, it is the home team that gets the nod. I think Duke and Virginia will play a back and forth game, but that ultimately Duke has a more complete team. There is a little concern with the Virginia line against the Duke 4-2-5, but I think that Tenuta’s style will allow a patient Duke offense to find things to attack.

ONJ Season Prediction: 18-8