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Blue Devils must overcome ‘trap game’ against Middle Tennessee

By Kevin Connelly

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 03: Deon Jackson #25 of the Duke Blue Devils quiets the crows after running for a touchdown in the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 03: Deon Jackson #25 of the Duke Blue Devils quiets the crows after running for a touchdown in the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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The Duke Football team will have to avoid a classic ‘trap game’ on Saturday evening as the Blue Devils face the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.

The Blue Devils the Blue Raiders will go to battle on Saturday evening in Tennessee.

Duke travels to Middle Tennessee State University, looking to move above .500 for the first time after getting its first win of the season last week at home against North Carolina A&T.

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Middle Tennessee also comes into this matchup at 1-1 with a win last week over Tennessee State while losing in Week 1 to the then No. 7 Michigan Wolverines in the Big House.

The Blue Raiders struck first in that game, leading Michigan 7-0 and then continuing to hold its lead until the end of the first quarter before the Wolverines took a 10-3 lead and didn’t look back en route to a 40-21 victory.

Duke will have to try and defend dual threat quarterback Asher O’Hara who is completing 71.0% of his passes with six touchdowns and two interceptions this season, but O’Hara is also the team’s leading rusher with 135 yards on 25 attempts and a touchdowns.

Middle Tennessee running back Chaton Mobley also has eclipsed the 100-yard mark this season with 107 yards on 14 rushes and two touchdowns.

The Blue Raiders have two explosive weapons on the outside in Ty Lee and Jarrin Pierce. Lee has nine receptions for 116 yards and one touchdown while Pierce has caught eight passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns early in the campaign.

Duke could be without Brittain Brown in this game as the running back left last week’s game and did not return.

David Cutcliffe will rely on quarterback Quentin Harris and All-ACC running back Deon Jackson to try and exploit the Middle Tennessee State defense.

Getting off to a good start will be imperative for the Blue Devils as Duke started very fast in the opening game against Alabama but were very sluggish in the opening quarter against N.C. A&T.

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Middle Tennessee is not your average mid-major team and Duke should take the Blue Raiders very seriously.

This has the potential to be a high scoring affair and the accuracy of Quentin Harris and ball security of the Duke offense will play a major role in the outcome.

Duke and Middle Tennessee will kickoff at 7:00pm EST from Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium and the game can be seen exclusively on Facebook.

PREDICTION: Duke 38, Middle Tennessee 27

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