Duke Football: Blue Devils set to take on Hokies with history in grasp
It’s time for Week 5 as Duke Football welcomes the Virginia Tech Hokies into Wallace Wade Stadium, with their sights set on becoming 5-0.
Well, this game preview had to be a little re-done this morning as the breaking news of the day is that Daniel Jones will be returning as the Duke starting quarterback on Saturday night.
Jones fractured his clavicle on September 8 in the victory over Northwestern and filling in for Jones was Quentin Harris who led the Blue Devils to two victories on the road against Baylor and at home over North Carolina Central.
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With Jones back under center, it’s safe to assume you won’t see him running around and creating plays for himself like he’s used to doing and he will lean heavily on running backs Brittain Brown and Deon Jackson.
Brown has taken the ball 50 times this season, totaling 282 yards and two touchdowns while Jackson has 44 carries for 223 yards and three touchdowns.
Also expect a lot of quick, short passes from Jones tonight, as Head Coach David Cutcliffe will try and prevent his star quarterback from taking hits against the Virginia Tech defense.
Blue Devils receivers Jonathan Lloyd and T.J. Rahming will be at the focus of the Duke passing game as usual with Lloyd racking up over 240 yards on 13 catches and three touchdowns, while Rahming has 17 receptions for 158 yards and three touchdowns.
On the other side of the ball, expect the Blue Devils to try and make life difficult for Virginia Tech starting QB Ryan Willis, who is starting for the injured Josh Jackson.
Duke should disguise their pressures and rotate coverages to try and clutter the mind of the veteran, yet inexperienced quarterback, forcing him to hold onto the ball too long and possibly turn the football over.
The Blue Devils are trying to become 5-0 for the first time since 1994 and they have a great chance to do so as they are getting healthier and the Hokies coming into Wallace Wade limping.
Duke has the advantage and Wallace Wade Stadium should be rocking and that will propel the Blue Devils to a victory.
PREDICTION: Duke 27, Virginia Tech 16
Stay tuned to Ball Durham for in game and post game coverage of the Duke Blue Devils vs. the Virginia Tech Hokies at balldurham.com or at our Twitter page @Ball_Durham.