UM AT DUKE FAST FACTS, ODDS, KEYS AND PREDICTIONS
When: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. Where: Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, N.C.
Latest line: Miami’s favored by 21 ½
TV: Bally Sports Florida
Radio: 560-AM, 990-AM (Spanish)
Weather: 48 degrees, zero percent chance of precipitation Online: sunsentinel.com/um; @khobi_price on Twitter Stadium safety protocols: Duke is no longer requiring masks/face coverings for its outdoor venues, but individuals are encouraged to carry a mask to wear in case physical distancing can’t be implemented outside. The university requires masks/face coverings in indoor public spaces for all individuals regardless of vaccination status, including inside restrooms and hospitality areas.
Quick slant: The Miami Hurricanes are looking for their fifth ACC win in their last six games against Duke, which they blew out, 48-0, the last time these two teams played each other in 2020. The Blue Devils have yet to win a conference game this season and are 1-16 in conference play dating back to last year. UM has a 14-4 advantage in the all-time series.
About Miami (6-5, 4-3 ACC): The Hurricanes became bowleligible for the ninth consecutive season with their win over Virginia Tech last Saturday. A win over Duke would help ensure they aren’t put in a lower-tier bowl game.
About Duke (3-8, 0-7 ACC): The Blue Devils are looking for their first conference win since their 38-24 victory over Syracuse on Oct. 10, 2020. They’ve lost this season’s ACC matchups by an average score of 46.57-15.57, with only one game — a 31-27 loss to Georgia Tech — being determined by fewer than 25 points. Duke’s coming off a 62-22 home loss to Louisville.
Three things to watch
1. How much will Tyrique Stevenson play against Duke, if he does at all? Miami’s top cornerback was limited in the win over the Hokies, playing between 12-14 snaps in that matchup due to a shoulder injury. Coach Manny Diaz said there’s a chance Stevenson is available against Duke.
2. Charleston Rambo (71 receptions) is two catches away from breaking UM’s all-time single-season receptions record held by Leonard Hankerson (72 catches across 13 games in 2010). He’s also on pace to break Allen Hurns’ program record (1,162 yards in 2013) for the most receiving yards in a season, entering Saturday with 1,071 yards. Mike Harley (169 receptions) is five catches away from breaking Reggie Wayne’s (173 catches from 1997-2000) career receptions record at UM.
3. Will Zach McCloud (5 ½ )or Deandre Johnson (4 ½) reach 7 ½ sacks? Miami’s had at least one player reach the 7 ½-threshold for a season since 2016. The Hurricanes will play a bowl game after the Duke matchup, but Johnson was noncommittal for postseason play.
Dave Hyde, sports columnist: Miami 47, Duke 17
The Hurricanes close out the year with the easiest game in the conference against Duke, which is assured of a last-place finish in the ACC’s Coastal Division. The Blue Devils’ 62-22 loss to Louisville last week isn’t an outlier. They have lost by at least 25 points in their last five games. Manny Diaz will go out with a bang — the question is if he’s out just for the season or of his Miami job.
Khobi Price, Hurricanes writer: Miami 45, Duke 13
There are “must-win games” and “can’t-lose games” — and this matchup falls into the latter. The Blue Devils are 1-16 in their last 17 conference games dating back to last year, including 0-7 this season. They’ve lost their ACC matchups by an average score of 46.57-15.57, with only one game — a 31-27 loss to Georgia Tech — being determined by fewer than 25 points. The discussion after Saturday’s game should be about whether Charleston Rambo and Mike Harley broke the respective receiving records they’re chasing and which bowl games the Hurricanes could play in.
Keven Lerner, assistant sports editor: Miami 41, Duke 17
Miami is favored by 21 points against Duke for good reason. The Hurricanes have bounced back from their disappointing start, winning four of their last five games, including a 38-26 victory over Virginia Tech last Saturday to make them bowleligible for the ninth straight season. But Miami’s turnaround hasn’t stopped the outside noise from getting louder. That should quiet some as Duke (0-7 in ACC) has lost seven consecutive games — all except one by at least 25 points. The Blue Devils are coming off a 6222 home loss to Louisville and have allowed at least 45 points in each of their last five games.