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There were many reactions to the selection of the Duke Blue Devils (2-7) as a filler pick for this week’s matchup. Some wanted a tougher opponent and others are just happy that we get to see some Canes (7-1, 6-1 ACC, No. 10 CFP) football. With playoff and bowl positioning still in play, there’s plenty to play for when the No.10 Miami Hurricanes take on the Blue Devils this Saturday. Another motivating factor is the 27-17 loss to Duke in Miami’s season finale a year ago. With D’Eriq King, breathing new life into the offense and a dominant pass rush, the Canes will be primed to display what a difference a year makes. Let’s try to project how you think things will go in Miami’s first game since November 14.
D’Eriq King: 250 Yards Passing, 50 Yards Rushing, and 2 Total TDs
When David Cutcliffe was asked about D’Eriq King this week he said, “He’s a great athlete and he can extend plays...He’s got a lot of weapons. Looks like he has a great knowledge of what they’re trying to do.” What other teams are noticing is King’s poise, playmaking ability, and leadership. When he last saw the field, King was 24 of 38, for 255 yards, and 2 totals touchdowns. He’ll be facing a good pass-rushing test in Duke. Duke averages 3.22 sacks per game (20th in the country and 5th in the ACC) and Chris Rumph II leads Duke with eight sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. Victor Dimukeje also has 7.5 sacks this year and 8.5 tackles for loss. With King’s explosiveness in play and with Duke’s ability to collapse the pocket countering it, how do you think King’s night will go?
Poll
D’Eriq King: 250 Yards Passing
This poll is closed
-
80%
Over
(106 votes) -
8%
Under
(11 votes) -
11%
Even
(15 votes)
Poll
D’Eriq King: 50 Yards Rushing
This poll is closed
-
70%
Over
(90 votes) -
16%
Under
(21 votes) -
12%
Even
(16 votes)
Poll
D’Eriq King: 2 Total TDs
This poll is closed
-
78%
Over
(99 votes) -
3%
Under
(4 votes) -
18%
Even
(23 votes)
Cam’Ron Harris: 50 Yards Rushing & 1 TD
Cam’Ron Harris hasn’t gone over 100 yards since his 134-yard night since the Lousiville Cardinals. He’s coming off of back-to-back 60+ rushing games against NC State and Virginia Tech. On his horizon is the Duke Blue Devil, a team that gives up an average of 200 yards a game on the ground. They surrendered 377 yards rushing to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and 338 yards to UNC in consecutive games. There’s a true advantage on the ground the Hurricanes can expose it and stick with it all night.
Poll
Cam’Ron Harris: 50 Yards Rushing
This poll is closed
-
73%
Over
(92 votes) -
12%
Under
(15 votes) -
14%
Even
(18 votes)
Poll
Cam’Ron Harris: 1 TD
This poll is closed
-
19%
Over
(24 votes) -
2%
Under
(3 votes) -
78%
Even
(97 votes)
Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory: 60 Yards Combined & 1 TD
Brevin Jordan returned to the field against VT to the tune of 2 catches for 22 yards. Will Mallory also had a similar stat line with 2 catches for 21 yards. The duo has been on the field for a good portion of the games this year (5 out of 8) but have yet to do real damage together. With the dual-threat ability of King and the emergence of the receiving core, Duke will be stressed in many areas defending the Canes. This may be the week the pair gets loose.
Poll
Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory: 60 Yards Combined Yards
This poll is closed
-
88%
Over
(109 votes) -
3%
Under
(4 votes) -
8%
Even
(10 votes)
Poll
Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory: 1 TD
This poll is closed
-
54%
Over
(65 votes) -
2%
Under
(3 votes) -
43%
Even
(52 votes)
Mark Pope and Mike Harley: 150 Yards Combined and 2 TDs
Speaking of the emerging WR core, when we look at the last three games for Mark Pope and Mike Harely, the production jumps out. For Mike Harley, he’s gone 6 rec for 51 yards, 8 rec for 153 yards with 2 TDs, and 10 rec for 170 yards, and 1 TD in that run. Mike Harley’s last three games featured a statline of 50 yards and TD, 97 yards and a TD, and 3 rec for 40 yards. They’re catching pases and getting into the end zone often. Duke gives up an average of 227.3 yards through the air. Do you see Harley and Pope getting loose or will the pass-rush and probable running night change their output?
Poll
Mark Pope and Mike Harley: 150 Yards Combined
This poll is closed
-
48%
Over
(58 votes) -
29%
Under
(35 votes) -
22%
Even
(27 votes)
Poll
Mark Pope and Mike Harley: 2 TDs
This poll is closed
-
18%
Over
(21 votes) -
29%
Under
(34 votes) -
51%
Even
(59 votes)
Explosive Plays: 4
In the four games since the Clemson Tigers loss, the Canes have a combined total of 23 explosive plays (Pittsburgh 4; UVA 7; NC State 10; VT 2). Miami has shown their ability to be aggressive and get down the field in a hurry in spurts. Whether on the ground or through the air, the Blue Devils have given up gash plays in a flurry (5 to UNC and 7 to Georgia Tech) in recent weeks. How many +20 yard plays do you think the Canes will have?
Poll
Explosive Plays: 4
This poll is closed
-
72%
Over
(80 votes) -
4%
Under
(5 votes) -
23%
Even
(26 votes)
Total Defense: 350 Yards Surrendered
Duke is averaging 400.3 (242.2 yards passing and 158.1 yards rushing) total yards per game this season. Miami’s is averaging 389.9 total yards allowed this year. In his last two games, Chase Brice passed for 155 yards against UNC and 273 yards against Georgia Tech. Duke also ran for 185 yards against the Tar Heels and 68 yards against GT in the blowout losses. With Duke struggling to find balance each week, how well do you think Maimi will do defending them?
Poll
Total Defense: 350 Yards Surrendered
This poll is closed
-
22%
Over
(25 votes) -
56%
Under
(63 votes) -
20%
Even
(23 votes)
Defensive Sacks: 3
Miami has 23 sacks on the year. The last time the Canes took the field, they walked away with 6 sacks (Gilbert Frierson 2 sacks, Jaelan Phillips 2.5 sack, and Te’Cory Couch 0.5 sack). Phillips and Couch were also responsible for our sacks against NC State. Georgia Tech sacked Chase Brice 4 times two weeks ago and North Carolina took him down 5 times. Do you think the sack surrendering trend continues against Miami’s pass-rush?
Poll
Defensive Sacks: 3
This poll is closed
-
54%
Over
(59 votes) -
10%
Under
(11 votes) -
35%
Even
(39 votes)
Defensive INTs: 1
In his last two consecutive games, Chase Brice has thrown an interception. In fact, the only games this season in which he hasn’t thrown a pick came against the Charlotte 49ers and the Boston College Eagles. Brice appears to be the interception gift that keeps on giving. Miami is on a two-game (DJ Ivey and Te’Cory Couch) interception streak after having a slow start in that statistic this season. How many do you think they get on Saturday?
Poll
Defensive INTs: 1
This poll is closed
-
38%
Over
(41 votes) -
3%
Under
(4 votes) -
57%
Even
(61 votes)
Turnover Chain Appearances: 1
Georgia Tech forced 5 turnovers against Duke when they played them. Outside of the Charlotte 49ers game, the Blue Devils have given the ball away in every game. You have to go all the way back to the game against the UAB Blazers to find a game in which the Canes didn’t force a turnover. Taking the ball away is a thing the Canes pride themselves on, and when you examine Duke’s carelessness with the ball, Saturday should be no different.
Poll
Turnover Chain Appearances: 1
This poll is closed
-
77%
Over
(81 votes) -
3%
Under
(4 votes) -
19%
Even
(20 votes)
Points Scored: 33
Duke is allowing 35 points per game, which ranks 13th in the ACC this year. This year, the Blue Devils have also allowed four opponents to score at least 38 points. They’ve also given up 56 points in the last two games. With Miami averaging 33 points a game this season, how close do you think the Canes will get to that number?
Poll
Points Scored: 33
This poll is closed
-
88%
Over
(94 votes) -
5%
Under
(6 votes) -
5%
Even
(6 votes)
What’s your game prediction and what do you think the Canes’ key to success will be?