Miami Hurricanes vs Duke Blue Devils: Matchup to Watch

Miami will finally return to action at 8PM on the ACC Network vs Duke. The Canes have been off since a 25-24 win over Virginia Tech. The Canes sit at 7-1 but saw their slim ACC Championship hopes all but go out the window while they have been off dealing with Covid-19. The ACC moved the schedule around and Duke will be next up for Miami, an opponent they were originally supposed to play, then not play, but now they play again. Miami has had a few weeks to sit and get healthy which is great after the team was down multiple players vs Virginia Tech and NC St.

Miami leads the all-time series 13-4

Duke is currently on a 2-game winning streak having won last year’s meeting 27-17 and the game in 2018 20-12. The most famous game between the 2 schools was Halloween night 2015 when Miami returned the final kickoff for a TD which sparked national debate around the country.

Statistical Leaders

Duke

Chase Brice 166-310 1995 yards 9TDs 13Ints

Mateo Durant 97 carries 642 yards 7 TDs

Deon Jackson 138 carries 634 yards 4 TDs

Jake Bobo 26 catches 313 yards 1 TD

Jalon Calhoun 29 catches 307 yards 2 TDs

Miami

D’Eriq King 167-262 2086 yards 17 TDs 4Ints

Cam’Ron Harris 95 carries 471 yards 6TDs

D’Eriq King 100 carries 421 yards 3 TDs

Donald Chaney Jr. 49 carries 205 yards 3 TDs

Mike Harley 41 catches 548 yards 4 TDs

Mark Pope 29 catches 383 yards 2 TDs

Matchup to Watch

Miami is the much better team than the 2020 version of the Duke Blue Devils. The Canes average more points per game 33.3 to 26.4, give up less ppg 24.8 to 35.0 and put up better stats across the board. Duke has been a team over the past 2 seasons that have stymied Miami’s offense to the tune of 17 and 12 points, but the Canes should explode in this matchup. The key to victory though may be turnover margin. Miami is middle of the pack defensively causing just 11 total takeaways, though the 2 biggest ones came late against NC St and against Virginia Tech. Duke on the other hand is dead last in the country giving the football away an unbelievable 25 times on the season. Brice has shown a penchant for throwing interceptions and the Blue Devils have also lost 11 fumbles. This is a game where Miami’s front four should harass Brice, slow down Duke’s running game, and come up with 3 turnovers at minimum. Miami’s defensive backs led by Te’Cory Couch should be extra excited that this is a game where they can thrive and come up with a few chains.

Michael Laughlin/South Florida Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

This is also a statement game for the Canes. Three straight contests have been closer than many of us have wanted, and Duke is the right type of opponent coming off a few bye weeks to really put up a big number. King and company should be able to score at will, and after watching Duke get destroyed by a bad Georgia Tech team, the Canes should be looking at 40 points offensively with relative ease. Miami knows the goal at this point is finish the season with three straight wins and get to a NY6 Bowl with a 10-1 record.

Miami 47 Duke 23 is my prediction.

Go Canes