Miami Hurricanes vs. Duke Blue Devils Complete Game Preview

The Miami Hurricanes and Duke Blue Devils will meet up Saturday afternoon in Durham, North Carolina for a second straight season due to Atlantic Coast Conference realignment. 

Miami is fresh off a 42-24 loss to Virginia Tech, while Duke topped North Carolina State 38-20 last weekend. Both the Hurricanes and Blue Devils are 7-2 overall and 3-2 in conference.

Miami's ACC wins have come against Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Wake Forest, while Duke topped Virginia, Virginia Tech and North Carolina State.

The Hurricanes and Blue Devils were involved in an offensive shootout last November. The teams amassed 1,229 total yards and 97 points in the high-flying affair, with Miami holding on for the 52-45 victory.

The Hurricanes finished 7-5 and earned a share of the ACC Coastal Division title, but they self-imposed a bowl ban and didn't participate in the postseason. The Blue Devils went 6-6 and lost to the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Belk Bowl.

The recent slip-up against Virginia Tech all but knocked Miami out of the running for a Coastal Division title this season. The Hokies would need to fall to either Maryland or Virginia, coupled with the Hurricanes winning out, for Miami to win the division title.

Duke controls its own destiny and would reach the ACC title game if it can top Miami, Wake Forest and North Carolina over the next three weeks. The Blue Devils hold the tiebreaker over the Hokies, having beaten Virginia Tech 13-10 in Blacksburg on October 26. 

Hurricanes running back Duke Johnson ran for 176 yards and three touchdowns in this game a year ago, while wide receiver Phillip Dorsett had four receptions for 83 yards. Both are injured and out for the season, unavailable for quarterback Stephen Morris, who was 15-of-25 and threw for 369 yards and three touchdowns in the 2012 win.

Time: 3:30 p.m. ET

Place: Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, North Carolina

TV: ESPN U/WatchESPN

Radio: WQAM 560 (Miami), WDNC 620 (Duke)

Spread: Miami -3 (Hilton, Caesars, Mirage)

Time Capsule: Miami vs. Duke (2012)

Here's another Raising Canes piece from the "Canes All Access" series by 3 Penny Films. This short is focused around Miami's win at Duke last season, with more emphasis on pregame and postgame behind the scenes.

Head coach Al Golden again relied on his psychology degree, working to get inside his players' heads the night before the game. Senior running back Mike James was asked to stand up in front of the team. He shared some thoughts and reminded teammates that it's a "privilege" to play for the Miami Hurricanes.

James talked about how quickly the time in Coral Gables ends, as well as expressing that he hoped he was a positive influence in his four years at the University of Miami.

Golden took the stage after James and chose to read a poem by titled "The Road Ahead or the Road Behind," by George Joseph Moriarty. The poem was a favorite of legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, and it was a timely choice by Golden.

The clip goes on to show highlights of the thrilling back-and-forth game between Miami and Duke. The final moments are bittersweet, as the Hurricanes celebrate the win, but do so knowing the season is over and there's no ACC Championship game or bowl game to be played.

Miami, dealing with adversity, found a way to survive Duke last season.

With some recent setbacks the past two weeks, can the Hurricanes do what it takes to top the Blue Devils a second straight year in Durham?

Miami's Keys to Victory

Stacy Coley had one reception last week—an 81-yard touchdown—but it was the last time his number was called.

Mentally Get Past a Bad Eight-Day Stretch

Miami went from 7-0 and No. 7 in the nation to 7-2 and No. 24 in eight days. More than that, the way the Hurricanes fell to the Hokies was as harmful as the loss itself. Virginia Tech capitalized on three crucial Miami turnovers (one a turnover on downs), while the Hurricanes couldn't get a handle on any Hokies miscues.

The goal was the ACC Championship game, which has all but been eliminated. Miami would have to win out, which is possible, but Virginia Tech would have to lose to Maryland or Virginia, which isn't likely.

A double-digit-win season is still a possibility for a team that went 20-17 the past three seasons. Miami players are focusing on that and using it as a rally cry this week. 

"The U" must focus on what can be, as opposed to dwelling on what was lost. If the Canes can do that, a win over the Blue Devils should be in the cards.

Get the Ball to Playmakers and Let Them Make Plays

Miami opened the game last week with a vanilla pass to tight end Clive Walford that was sniffed out immediately. A play later, Stephen Morris turned right and fired to the speedy Stacy Coley in the flat, and the wide receiver made some shifty moves en route to an 81-yard touchdown.

The touchdown reception was Coley's lone grab of the game, which cannot be the case over the next few weeks. Yes, the true freshman fumbled a punt return, but Coley has more than shown his breakaway ability.

This Miami offense has played rather conservatively, outside of the occasional deep ball. It's time to capitalize on some blazing team speed with bubble screens or slants to wide receivers like Coley, Malcolm Lewis or Herb Waters. Passes to running backs in the flats could accomplish the same. 

Run some high-percentage passing plays and see what these speedsters can do running behind blockers and a big, veteran offensive line.

Protect the Football and Get Some Takeaways

Turnovers are a killer, and there's no better example than the recent loss to Virginia Tech. Miami lost big-time momentum with two special teams fumbles and a punting mistake. 

On the other side of the ball, the Hokies put the ball on the ground three times and the Canes didn't come up with it once. Even worse, one fumble wound up an eight-yard gain and was spotted at the two-yard line, while another was recovered by Virginia Tech in the end zone for a touchdown.

Miami's defense has some serious holes and depth issues. The best way to counter at this point of the season: Hold onto the football and force turnovers.

Duke's Keys to Victory

Jamison Crowder has 67 receptions for 903 yards and three touchdowns this season.

Jump on a Fragile Miami Team Early

Another week with a slow start and some early setbacks—a la Georgia Tech, North Carolina or Wake Forest—could put Miami down for the count.

After back-to-back slip-ups and losing Duke Johnson and Phillip Dorsett for the season, it's been a rough month for the Hurricanes.

How much more can this team take?

Duke hung tough with Miami last season in Durham and almost pulled off the upset. Both teams sported more offensive firepower in 2012. To get it done this year, the Blue Devils will have to land some big blows early, rattling the Hurricanes' confidence.

Get Production at the Quarterback Position

Anthony Boone has thrown seven interceptions over the past two games. Four came in a 13-10 upset of Virginia Tech where Logan Thomas tossed four picks of his own.

Lots of good-not-great quarterbacks have had their way with Miami this year—Florida's Jeff Driskel, North Carolina's Bryn Renner and Wake Forest's Tanner Price, to name a few. Can Boone follow suit and find holes in a Hurricanes defense that's struggled in pass coverage all season?

If so, the junior quarterback could lead his team to an upset victory.

Hope That Edwards' Hot Streak Continues

DeVon Edwards had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown as well as two pick-sixes in Duke's 38-20 win over North Carolina State last week.

Is the freshman cornerback becoming a next-level player, or is he simply coming off a magical week? Either way, Edwards is proving he has a nose for the ball and good vision. A few big plays on defense or special teams will go a long way in what could be a tight game.

Players to Watch for Miami

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Allen Hurns is coming off a four-reception, 142-yard game against Virginia Tech.

Allen Hurns

Hurns is becoming a go-to target in an offense that is missing running back Duke Johnson. The senior wide receiver has been one of few bright spots against quality defenses this season.

Hurns had four receptions for 60 yards against Florida in September. More recently, he had a five-reception, 84-yard, two touchdown effort at Florida State and 142 receiving yards on four grabs against Virginia Tech.

Hurns hauled in a beautiful 84-yard touchdown against the Hokies. If he can keep this kind of production up, it will take some pressure off of Stephen Morris, leading to a solid afternoon.

Stephen Morris

Morris is the most important offensive player with Johnson out and the running game stalling. After a two-game stretch during which he threw six interceptions, Morris has two picks in the past three games—both against a stout Florida State defense. 

Against Virginia Tech, he had a 16-of-29, 324-yard evening with two touchdowns, despite six dropped balls by receivers. Miami also lost the time of position battle, limiting the amount of touches Morris got.

If Morris can stay on track, it will also open up a ground attack that only rushed for 28 yards last week.

Dallas Crawford

Crawford is coming off a 37-yard performance last week against the Hokies. Thirty-five of those yards came on one run. The sophomore running back was a superstar as a reserve against North Carolina, but he looked very human against Virginia Tech.

No one can replace the great No. 8, but Crawford must produce more. Freshman running back Gus Edwards did little with his seven carries last week—13 yards—while coaches didn't even look the way of senior Eduardo Clements.

Crawford is Miami's best option at running back right now. After a putrid showing against Virginia Tech, he must get something done on the ground in Durham.

Players to Watch for Duke

DeVon Edwards had a 100-yard kickoff return and two pick-sixes in last week's win over NC State.

Anthony Boone/Brandon Connette

Both Boone and backup quarterback Brandon Connette have seen a lot of action this season. Replacing 2012 starter Sean Renfree hasn't been easy. Renfree threw for 432 yards and four touchdowns against Miami last season.

Boone has seven interceptions in the past two games, while Connette has only thrown eight passes in the past three outings.

Should Boone struggle, Miami could see Connette. Either way, whoever is under center Saturday is the key to the Blue Devils' offense and an upset.

Jamison Crowder

The junior wide receiver is coming off a big seven-reception, 134-yard performance against North Carolina State. Crowder also had 140 or more yards against Memphis, Pittsburgh and Troy and has 903 yards on the season.

It seems that every week Miami's defense lets a wideout (or two) have a big showing.

If Crowder and Boone can get in sync, the Blue Devils should move the ball against the Canes. 

DeVon Edwards

It's impossible not to put Edwards here after a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and two interceptions for scores last week. Edwards is only a freshman, but he's speedy and a playmaker. If he can do something on special teams or create a huge turnover, it will get the crowd at Wallace Wade Stadium out of their seats and making some noise. 

What They're Saying

Al Golden is shouldering the blame for Miami's back-to-back losses.

Miami head coach Al Golden knows the boo-birds are in full force after his Miami Hurricanes suffered two straight losses.

Fans have long had issues with defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio, while some at Saturday's game were clamoring for Ryan Williams to take over for starting quarterback Stephen Morris as Virginia Tech rolled to victory. 

Regarding the fans' issue with Morris, Golden spoke Tuesday, as reported by the Miami Herald:

"

I'm taking the responsibility for Saturday, not Stephen Morris. I'm directly responsible for special teams - that's three turnovers and they happened in succession which compounded each time. Stephen, if he was allotted to have 68 plays, would have had his best game of the year. He had 53 plays, scored 24 points against a team giving up 16 points. He had [more than] 300 yards passing, doubles what they've been giving up. He was 16 of 27 with five drops. He could have been 21 of 27. He averaged 20 yards a completion. He didn't have any turnovers. I just think it's unfair, especially given what he's been playing with, dealing with and playing with [a sprained ankle] for eight weeks now.

Again, boo me, be frustrated with me. But Stephen Morris? He's done everything, including stand and fight here the last two years. He's our quarterback and he's our leader, and he has my support.

"

Sophomore cornerback Tracy Howard used today's media session to stand up for his defensive coordinator, whom he calls "a great teacher":

"

The fans outside, they see the players messing up so they are automatically going to blame it on the defensive coordinator. Because sometimes in football as a fan, they don't really know football. So when they see guys being cut loose they think `Oh, it's the defensive coordinator's fault.' Really it's the execution from the players. I think we have to do a better job of having his back in the games. Outside people, they don't really know what's going on, don't know football to be honest. I feel like coach D'Onofrio calls great games. It's up to the players to execute.

"

Howard went on in regards to D'Onofrio:

"

He knows the game in and out. He's taught me a lot about football since I got here. I think he does a great job telling us what to do and where to be at. And not just him, all the coaches. They relay it to us the best way possible.

I get mad because I feel like if anything he calls great games. To be honest the fans should be more loyal. When we were 7-0 they were all happy. Now they want him out on his back. But that's the way football goes. I understand it. I'm not mad or anything. But I feel like they're being too hard.

They're saying all type of crazy things about him. They're acting like we're a .500 team or something. We're not a .500 team. I feel like he calls great games. If they really understood football they might understand that.

"

Third-generation Hurricane defensive lineman Anthony Chickillo chose to focus on the importance of a 10-win season for Miami—something The U hasn't accomplished since 2003:

"

It's hard to do in college football, win 10 games. It's something we haven't done here in a long time. You're talking about 10 years that that hasn't happened around here. There's a lot of stuff to still play for, a lot of motivation. And the Coastal isn't wrapped up yet. We can only control what we can control, and that starts with getting ready to play a very good Duke team.

"

Prediction

Stephen Morris was 16-of-29 for 324 yards with two touchdowns against a good Virginia Tech defense.

Miami versus Duke has featured some one-sided blowouts and a few close games since the Hurricanes joined the ACC in 2004. The teams began playing a year later, and UM holds an 8-0 lead in the series. 

Last year, the storyline was Miami's struggling defense, along with high-flying offenses on both sides of the ball. The Hurricanes put up 646 yards and 52 points, while the Blue Devils finished with 45 points and 583 yards.

Miami's offense hasn't been as productive this season. A new offensive coordinator to start the season has been followed up by injuries to a quarterback, a running back and a deep-threat wide receiver.

Offensively, Duke's dealing with life after quarterback Sean Renfree and wide receiver Conner Vernon. Jamison Crowder torched Miami for eight receptions, 203 receiving yards and two touchdowns last year, but without Renfree throwing the ball and Vernon on the field, that won't happen again.

Wallace Wade Stadium has given Miami fits four times since Duke became a conference foe. Still, the Canes are 4-0 in Durham, winning games by an average of 12.5 points. Last year's seven-point win was the closest in the rivalry dating back to 2006, when Miami eked out a 20-15 victory.

Miami was knocked by the media early November for being the most "overrated" No. 7 team in the history of college football. Could the same rationale apply to Duke being an over-hyped 7-2 squad? Its wins this season have come against North Carolina Central, Memphis, Troy, Navy, Virginia, Virginia Tech and North Carolina State.

While the upset of the Hokies was certainly impressive, little else has been. The Wolfpack and Cavaliers—two of the Blue Devils' three conference wins—are a combined 0-12 in ACC play.

Miami's defense gave up a ton of yards the past two weeks, but turnovers were the key to last week's loss against Virginia Tech. The Hurricanes had a shot to take a commanding lead early, but they wound up in a 21-7 hole after three quirky special teams plays led to touchdowns. 

The Hurricanes might not be playing for a berth in the ACC Championship game, but a 10-win regular season is still possible.

Without Renfree, Duke has too much instability at quarterback to go blow for blow with the Miami offense.

If the Hurricanes don't grossly lose the turnover battle for a second straight week, The U should head back home with the W.

Prediction: Miami 34, Duke 24