Miami FL (2-0, 0-0) at Duke (4-0, 1-0)
When: Friday, September 29th 2017
Where: Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC
Time: 7:00 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Miami -6/57
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The Duke Blue Devils will aim for their first 5-0 start since 1994 when they host the Miami Hurricanes in ACC action on Friday night in Durham. Duke remained perfect last week with a 27-17 road win over rival North Carolina, while the Hurricanes used a strong second half to upend Toledo 52-30 on Saturday. It was Miami’s first game in three weeks as Hurricane Irma canceled their game at Arkansas State and postponed their meeting with Florida State to October 7th. The rust showed, as Miami scored 42 of their 52 points in the second half against Toledo. The Blue Devils had a chance to upset Miami the last time these two teams met in Durham, but Miami pulled out the 30-27 victory (video) with a controversial last-gasp 91-yard kickoff return that featured eight laterals and four missed calls that resulted in suspensions for the ACC officiating crew. The Blue Devils needed a late comeback against the Tar Heels to give head coach David Cutcliffe career win No. 100, his 56th victory with Duke. Stopping Hurricanes’ star running back Mark Walton will be key for Duke on Friday night. Miami’s top wide receiver Ahmmon Richards could make his season debut after sitting out with a hamstring injury. This will be the 15th meeting between the Hurricanes and Blue Devils since the series began in 1976, with Miami holding a 12-2 series advantage.
Walton recorded a career-best 204 yards rushing and one touchdown on just 11 carries Saturday despite missing time with a bad ankle. Quarterback Malik Rosier threw for 272 yards and two scores in his first career start for Miami in the 2015 win over Duke, and finished with a career-high 333 yards passing and three touchdowns last week against Toledo – also adding one on the ground. The Miami run defense remains very stout but there are still some major concerns in a rebuilt secondary that has been lit-up in both of their games despite the presence of highly regarded transfer Dee Delaney.
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The Blue Devils defense ranks second in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (65.3) and is tied for 11th nationally in total yards allowed (261.5), but they have yet to play a ranked team. Offensively, the Blue Devils are having success with the ground game, averaging 227.0 yards per game featuring senior Shaun Wilson (363 yards, 5 TDs), who needs just six yards to become the seventh player in Duke history to hit the 2,000-yard mark. Freshman Brittain Brown is also contributing with 336 yards and two scores. Quarterback Daniel Jones provides an additional running threat but has been solid as a passer (904 yards, 5 TDs) with junior T.J. Rahming (24 catches, 248 yards) as his favorite target.
Duke always gives good teams fits when playing in Durham. This one should be no exception, but they’ll have to rely more on Jones’ passing skills as the running game could hit a wall against Miami. The Duke defense should be able to keep this one close.
Pick: Duke +7
TRENDS:
- Hurricanes are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game.
- Hurricanes are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 conference games.
- Hurricanes are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
- Hurricanes are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win.
- Hurricanes are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Hurricanes are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
- Hurricanes are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games on grass.
- Hurricanes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in September.
- Hurricanes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
- Hurricanes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
- Hurricanes are 17-5 ATS in their last 22 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
- Hurricanes are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
- Blue Devils are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 home games.
- Blue Devils are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Blue Devils are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games in September.
- Blue Devils are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games on grass.
- Blue Devils are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.
- Blue Devils are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
- Blue Devils are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
- Blue Devils are 6-2 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
- Blue Devils are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 conference games.
- Blue Devils are 34-16-1 ATS in their last 51 games overall.
- Under is 9-2 in Hurricanes last 11 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
- Under is 4-1 in Hurricanes last 5 games following a ATS win.
- Over is 5-2 in Hurricanes last 7 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
- Over is 5-2 in Hurricanes last 7 games in September.
- Under is 34-16-1 in Hurricanes last 51 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Under is 9-2 in Blue Devils last 11 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
- Under is 4-1 in Blue Devils last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Under is 7-2 in Blue Devils last 9 home games.
- Under is 10-3 in Blue Devils last 13 games in September.
- Under is 5-2 in Blue Devils last 7 games following a straight up win.
- Under is 7-3 in Blue Devils last 10 games following a ATS win.
- Hurricanes are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings.
- Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
- Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Duke.
- Home team is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
