Miami vs. Duke Prediction, Game Preview

Life after Al Golden begins for the Miami Hurricanes (4-3) with this week’s trip to Durham to play the Duke Blue Devils (6-1). Check out the Miami vs. Duke prediction and game preview.

Miami vs. Duke Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, October 31
Game Time: 7:00 ET
Venue: Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, North Carolina
Network: ESPNU

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Why You Need To Care

This weekend at Wallace Wade Stadium was supposed to be all about posturing for the Coastal Division title chase. And then Miami went out and lost to Clemson, 58-0, leaving the administration no choice but to fire Al Golden a day later. Now, with interim head coach Larry Scott in charge, the Canes are left to search for two more wins to send the seniors out with a bowl game. Duke, though, will be operating with a very different mindset on Saturday night. The Blue Devils, still buzzing from their four-overtime defeat of Virginia Tech, have won four straight and will be one of three Coastal teams without a league loss at kickoff.

Why Miami Will Win

Despite all of the chaos that currently exists in Coral Gables, the Canes are still a program with a lot of speed and a lot of good athletes. Better athletes, in some cases, than Duke. Last weekend being an obvious exception, Miami was having a pretty good year on defense, and has as many picks as touchdown passes allowed. Cornerbacks Corn Elder and Artie Burns will be problematic for QB Thomas Sirk, a still-developing passer.

Why Duke Will Win

So much from which Miami must rebound. Too much. Not only is the head coach gone, but the offensive leader, QB Brad Kaaya, isn’t expected to play either. While Joseph Yearby is an exciting young back, his abilities will be neutralized with redshirt freshman Malik Rosier behind center. An already stout Blue Devil run defense, yielding less than three yards a carry, can press up LB Dwayne Norman and safeties Jeremy Cash and Deondre Singleton without suffering the consequences.

Player Who Matters

Duke is quietly having another terrific year at the line of scrimmage, allowing an ACC-low four sacks. C Matt Skura and LG Lucas Patrick have been especially good this fall, a trend that ought to continue against a mediocre Miami pass rush. If Sirk has trouble finding receivers Johnell Barnes and Max McCaffrey, it won’t be because there are too many hands in his face.

What’s Going To Happen?

Two Coastal programs heading down disparate paths will continue on those roads in Week 9. While it’s fair to wonder if Miami has anything left in the tank, particularly without Kaaya, Duke is gearing up for a divisional title run. The Blue Devils will pick up where Clemson left off, easily sending the Canes to their fourth loss in the last five games.