Duke football with another tough home test against Virginia Tech Hokies

The Duke football program has another tough home test on Saturday afternoon against Virginia Tech.

Another week in the college football season is upon us, and the Duke Blue Devils are still looking for its first win of the season, this time against a Virginia Tech Hokie team who shined in its first game of the season.

Because of an outbreak of COVID-19 within the Virginia Tech program, the Hokies season opener had to be delayed, the effect of which the Blue Devils already faced by playing the Virginia Cavaliers last week.

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Duke perhaps played its best game of the season by holding a lead in the second half, but a collapse late forced the Blue Devils into an 18-point loss.

The Blue Devil offense is inept in the red zone, and most of the time the defense plays well but is worn down at the end of games because the unit is on the field too long due to the offense not being able to move the ball.

Enter a team that just scored 45 points in its first game of the season without starting quarterback Hendon Hooker.

Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente expects Hooker to play on Saturday against Duke, and that should only spell more trouble for the Blue Devils.

However, it’s time for David Cutcliffe and Chase Brice to look at tight end Noah Gray as a No. 1 option when passing the ball.

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Gray is the most consistent and reliable pass catcher on the Duke football roster, and he has proven that fact every single week this season.

If teams begin trying to cover him with double and triple teams, then the Blue Devils will have to adjust and hope someone is able to step up on the outside. But Gray has to be the first option for Brice on every passing attempt.

Will that help lead Duke football to a victory?

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Probably not, but it could help the offense look somewhat efficient.

The Blue Devils rarely play well against teams from Virginia. Expect the same on Saturday.

Kickoff is at 4:00pm EST from Wallace Wade Stadium and can be seen on the ACC Network.

PREDICTION: Virginia Tech 40, Duke 23

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