Duke football: 2020 season preview, predictions included
By Riley Platt
Duke football season preview: GAMES 7-8
This year, the battle for the Victory Bell should be one of the most exciting in recent memory. Last year’s edition produced a thriller, but there will be even more at stake this year. The Tar Heels enter 2020 as a serious contender to make the ACC Championship Game. While Duke hasn’t received comparable hype, the team could definitely shake things up with a win versus arch-rival North Carolina.
Mack Brown’s arrival in Chapel Hill has seen a complete overhaul of UNC football. In fact, the Blue Devils won the three meetings prior to Brown taking over. This could’ve definitely been four in a row if not for a very questionable late-game play call that cost Duke the game.
UNC comes into the season with one of the best quarterbacks in the country behind the helm, Sam Howell. He has by far been the crown jewel of Mack Brown’s time at his new school, flipping Howell from his previous FSU commitment.
After posting 3,641 passing yards and 38 touchdowns, Howell looks to contend for the Heisman Trophy and make a run at a New Year’s Six bowl game. Similar to the Virginia Tech game, it will be a hard-fought bout, but the Tar Heels will likely prove to be just too much for the Blue Devils.
Final Score: Duke 38, UNC 42
The 2019 season was one that will not be soon forgotten in Charlottesville. A 9-3 season led to a trip to the ACC Championship Game. While they may have gotten routed by Clemson, it was still a huge accomplishment for the program. They even earned a bid to the Orange Bowl, where they would give the Florida Gators a run for their money.
While they do carry momentum into 2020, this could end up being a rough season for the Cavaliers. They lose QB Bryce Perkins, who was the life and blood of this offense. Sophomore Brennan Armstrong takes over under center, but he will have high expectations to live up to.
Virginia returns a very strong defense and will have to shut down an explosive Duke receiving corps. The Blue Devils lost against the program last year, 48-14, and will be seeking vengeance. Ultimately, I think the Duke offense will shine and edge out an extremely talented Virginia defense in a close one.
Final Score: Duke 20, Virginia 17