Duke Blue Devils vs Miami Hurricanes Preview
The Duke Blue Devils must have heard the sounds from Pittsburgh. Those sounds should tell the #22 Blue Devils that their Coastal Division challenger is the Tar Heels and they await them next week. The problem is that Duke has a primetime matchup this week and it involves the always dangerous Miami Hurricanes.
Opponent: Miami Hurricanes (4-3, 1-2 ACC)
Date: October 31
Time: 7:00 PM
TV: ESPNU
Venue: Wallace Wade Stadium
Many fans be out trick or treating when Duke takes the field, but it is a good bet that Coach Cutcliffe and company will dig enough fans to greet the Hokie conquerors as they turn to deal with the Miami Hurricanes in their hour of transition.
Coach Al Golden got a raw deal to be sacked how he did, but the U thinks it is a special place that requires a special brand of winning.
Now that Golden is gone, it is hard to say how the Hurricanes will react to his departure. Will they pack up their season and wait for the warm Miami spring? Or will they pull together to salvage what’s left of their season, break a few hearts, and go to some bowl game somewhere?
You see, the Hurricanes still have talent. Now that talent may have a purpose.
UPDATE 5:06 PM: Brad Kaaya is unlikely to play at Duke
Brad Kaaya was electrifying as a freshman quarterback, and he still is back in that pocket. Miami always has a tailback and this year it is Joseph Yearby manning that spot. He has more than five hundred yards rushing. If he can get going then Kaaya can turn to the stable of speed that is the Miami wideouts. There is a lot of energy there waiting to wake up.
More from Duke Blue Devils
- Court alleges Zion’s Stepfather received $400k
- Four North Carolina players selected in first round of MLB Draft
- N.C. State at Duke: Staff Predictions
- N.C. State makes strong case for NCAA Tourney berth with win over Duke
- Duke vs North Carolina Staff Predictions
Duke’s job will be to keep it dormant. This is a tough task for Duke, because Duke does not run and hide from too many teams. They won’t try to here either. Thomas Sirk and the running backs will be responsible for chipping away at the field and the clock. That should keep Kaaya off the field and the defense resting. Them Jeremy Cash and his armada can clip the wings of the Miami passing game when they are fresh.
Still, Miami could out-athlete Duke, and if this becomes a horse race then look out. New coach Larry Scott may try to pull a Dabo Swinney here to finish out the season. Duke gets his first shot, and it might be his best shot.
Prediction: 27-24 Duke