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- Nov 3, 2011
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Well, 3 out of 4 anyway.
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Why Miami will win: If you go by their current records or last year's result, it's tough to see Miami winning. But look at the actual matchups on the field, and the Hurricanes have some major advantages, which might be why Vegas has them favored by a touchdown. Brad Kaaya has improved dramatically since his opening-week loss to Louisville, and he has speedsters Stacy Coley and Phillip Dorsett to challenge an athletic-but-untested Duke secondary. Tight end Clive Walford could be a major asset against a thin Duke linebacking corps, and of course, a healthy Duke Johnson changes the dynamic from last year's Blue Devils' win dramatically. Yes, Miami's defense struggled a week ago -- but who hasn't struggled against Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah? Duke's offense doesn't have the proven playmakers it did a year ago, and the strong starts of Issac Blakeney and Shaun Wilson again must be tempered by that cupcake schedule. Miami has been up-and-down so far, but it has also been tested. This is the week the Hurricanes' growing pains translate into a crucial win. Miami 27, Duke 24. -- David Hale
Why Duke will win: Miami might have more overall talent, but Duke has the better team. Again. That was evident last year when the Blue Devils beat Miami, and it will be evident once again Saturday. The same old defensive issues that have plagued the Hurricanes the last several seasons have cropped up again, most notably in a loss to Nebraska. Too many missed tackles, too many players out of position trying to make a play instead of doing their jobs. Duke ran for over 300 yards on Miami last year, and now has one of the best rushing offenses in the ACC. Considering the issues Miami had stopping the run both last year against Duke and last week against Nebraska, the expectation is that the Blue Devils will find success on the ground again. Duke 27, Miami 20. -- Andrea Adelson
| [h=3]Andrea Adelson[/h] | [h=3]Matt Fortuna[/h] | [h=3]David Hale[/h] | [h=3]Jared Shanker[/h] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke vs. Miami |
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Why Miami will win: If you go by their current records or last year's result, it's tough to see Miami winning. But look at the actual matchups on the field, and the Hurricanes have some major advantages, which might be why Vegas has them favored by a touchdown. Brad Kaaya has improved dramatically since his opening-week loss to Louisville, and he has speedsters Stacy Coley and Phillip Dorsett to challenge an athletic-but-untested Duke secondary. Tight end Clive Walford could be a major asset against a thin Duke linebacking corps, and of course, a healthy Duke Johnson changes the dynamic from last year's Blue Devils' win dramatically. Yes, Miami's defense struggled a week ago -- but who hasn't struggled against Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah? Duke's offense doesn't have the proven playmakers it did a year ago, and the strong starts of Issac Blakeney and Shaun Wilson again must be tempered by that cupcake schedule. Miami has been up-and-down so far, but it has also been tested. This is the week the Hurricanes' growing pains translate into a crucial win. Miami 27, Duke 24. -- David Hale
Why Duke will win: Miami might have more overall talent, but Duke has the better team. Again. That was evident last year when the Blue Devils beat Miami, and it will be evident once again Saturday. The same old defensive issues that have plagued the Hurricanes the last several seasons have cropped up again, most notably in a loss to Nebraska. Too many missed tackles, too many players out of position trying to make a play instead of doing their jobs. Duke ran for over 300 yards on Miami last year, and now has one of the best rushing offenses in the ACC. Considering the issues Miami had stopping the run both last year against Duke and last week against Nebraska, the expectation is that the Blue Devils will find success on the ground again. Duke 27, Miami 20. -- Andrea Adelson
