Your Duke football team returns to action against the Miami Hurricanes at Wallace Wade Stadium at 7 PM ET. Duke is facing a Miami team that has experienced a tumultuous past week with the firing of their head coach Al Golden, the concussion of starting QB Brad Kaaya and the tragic passing of CB Artie Burns‘ mother. Miami has been a disappointment yet again this year with a record of 4-3 and losses to Florida State, Cincinnati and a complete drubbing by Clemson 58-0. Safe to say this is a vulnerable Hurricanes team. On the other hand Duke is riding high with a 6-1 record and coming off a four OT win against Virginia Tech. Duke will look to remain perfect in the Coastal division, a division Miami has never won. Here are some keys to the game.
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1. Malik Rosier
QB Malik Rosier is Brad Kaaya’s backup. Nobody expected him to receive any major playing time this year outside of a few read option plays. Unfortunately for Miami, Brad Kaaya sustained a concussion last week in the first half against Clemson and was not able to return to the game. He did not even make the trip to Durham this week. So on comes Rosier against a Duke defense that ranks ninth nationally in the FBS in total defense.
I would imagine the Canes offense to look very different with Rosier at the helm considering he is a much bigger running threat than Kaaya will ever be. But Kaaya might be the best QB in the ACC and his decision-making and throwing ability will be sorely missed. Look for Rosier to be on the run all day whether it be designed or not as Miami’s offensive line has been a mash unit the entire year.
2. Miami’s running game
With a shaky pass blocking offensive line and an inexperienced quarterback, I expect the Hurricanes to rely on RBs Joesph Yearby and Mark Walton a ton. Yearby began the season in strong form against lesser competition but in the past three games the sophomore is only averaging 45 yards a contest. Much of that is due to the atrocious offensive line play. Duke has shut down running games week after and week and I see no reason that changes today. Look for the box to be loaded with 8 players all day and the Duke secondary to dare Rosier to beat them.
Prediction – Duke 31, Miami 14
For full disclosure and something that many of you do not know, I have always been a Miami Hurricanes football fan. The firing of Al Golden was justified and for the betterment of the program. But there is no reason why Duke should lose this game, especially with Kaaya out. The Hurricane defense has been bad for five years in a row now and Duke should run all over them. I predict 31-14 but this score could easily get out of hand quickly.