Duke at Miami football looks like a good one, folks.
The Miami Hurricanes (3-3) prepare to host ACC rival Duke Blue Devils (4-3) on Saturday at 12:30 pm (EST). The Hurricanes are a -9.0 point favorite and have a 75.3% chance to win according to ESPN’s FPI. Miami is coming off their third win off a 20-14 win against Virginia Tech, while Duke suffered a 38-35 loss against North Carolina. With that let’s look at what to expect in Duke at Miami.
DUKE AT MIAMI FOOTBALL
Miami
Miami has ended its three-game losing streak with a win against Virginia Tech. The Canes’ passing offense found its footing, with quarterback Tyler Van Dyke throwing for 351 yards and two touchdowns. Miami’s previously dominant run game continues to struggle, only rushing for 107 yards on 28 carries.
A win for the Hurricanes ties them for second place in the ACC Coastal division at 2-1. With the division being weak this season, Miami still has a chance to make it to the ACC Championship. Looking ahead, the Canes have a weak conference schedule, with multiple winnable games. If Miami can win out until Clemson, they can realistically beat out North Carolina for the No. 1 spot in the Coastal.
Key to Victory
After struggling in their first four games, Miami has found an identity in their passing attack. Even with key players like Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George spending time out due to injuries, the Canes have found guys to step up in their absence. Former JUCO product Colbie Young has become Miami’s new outside threat, hauling in 12 catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns in only two games of action.
Against Duke, the Canes face a defense struggling to stop explosive passing attacks. Their passing defense ranks 99th in the country, surrendering 260.6 passing yards per contest. Last weekend against North Carolina, the Blue Demons gave up 536 yards, with 380 coming through the air.
TVD to Colbie Young. Great throw, even better grab. What a play.
Go Canes. pic.twitter.com/yCyzmbevnD
— Spark College Football (@SparkCFB) October 15, 2022
Miami is expected to get Jacolby George and Michael Redding back from injuries. Adding them to the mix of pass catchers will allow the Canes to spread the field more and give their playmakers on the outside the ball. Miami must continue to pass the ball effectively if they hope to beat Duke,
Injury Update
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- WR Jacolby George: questionable, dealing with a hand injury
- OT Zion Nelson: questionable. dealing with a knee injury
- OG Justice Oluwaseun: out, dealing with lower extremity injury
- WR Michael Redding III: cleared to play, dealt with a hand injury
- C Jakai Clark: cleared to play, dealt with lower extremity injury
- CB Tyrique Stevenson: cleared to play, dealt with lower extremity injury
Players to Watch
- Akheem Mesidor has played six games, totaling 5.0 sacks to go with 4.0 TFL and 14 tackles for the Hurricanes.
- Jahfari Harvey, as part of the Hurricanes’ defensive unit, has totaled 2.5 sacks to go with 2.0 TFL and 13 tackles in six games.
Duke
So far this season, the Blue Demons have surpassed their expectations with a 4-3 record. Even in their 38-35 loss last week against North Carolina, Duke kept it close until the end, something they haven’t been able to manage in recent memory. Head Coach Mike Elko has done his part in developing a winning culture at Durham.
Duke currently sits at No. 5 in the ACC Coastal division with a 1-2 conference record. A win this weekend would be massive for Duke, as they’d rank third in the Coastal with a 2-2 record. A win would also be crucial for their bowl game chances, as the Blue Demons’ schedule gets harder after Miami, with games against Pitt and ranked Wake Forest.
Key to Victory
Two words. Explosive. Plays. So far this season the Hurricanes have struggled when stopping explosive plays on defense. Against MTSU, Miami allowed four passes of 20+ yards, three of them resulting in touchdowns. In week six against North Carolina, Miami gave up five 20+ yard passing plays, with a 74-yard touchdown pass early in the first quarter.
Duke has a high-caliber quarterback in sophomore Riley Leonard. Leonard leads a Duke attack that lacks talent, but he’s been able to do enough with his arm talent to throw to open receivers. His arm talent is on full display with his deep shots Leonard has completed 11-of-23 deep passing attempts for 414 yards with four touchdowns and a single interception.
Riley Leonard with one of the best throws I have ever seen in person pic.twitter.com/zkqZjvPvfw
— Duke Fan Acct (@DukeFBFans) October 17, 2022
For the Blue Demons to win, they must take shots down the field and exploit Miami’s secondary.
Injury Update
- LB Dorian Mausi: cleared to play, dealt with a leg injury
- RB Jaylen Coleman: cleared to play, dealing with a body injury
Players to Watch
- Shaka Heyward has been providing a big boost on defense, amassing 35 tackles and one TFL for the Blue Devils.
- Jaylen Stinson has recorded one sack to go with one TFL and 26 tackles in seven games for the Blue Devils.
Duke Football at Miami Odds Week 8
- Moneyline: MIAMI: (-350) I DUKE: (+260)
- Spread: MIAMI -8.5 I DUKE +8.5
- Total: 58.5 Over: (-105) I Under: (-115)
Miami Against the Spread (ATS) Record
Miami has gone 1-4 against the spread this college football season (-3.4 Units / -61.82% ROI).
Duke Against the Spread (ATS) Record
Duke has gone 4-2 against the spread this college football season (+1.85 Units / 28.24% ROI).
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