Miami Hurricanes Preview: Breaking Down the ACC Matchup With Duke in Durham
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Kickoff: 1:00 PM EST Saturday, October 16, 2010
Location: Wallace Wade Stadium (Durham, NC)
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TV/Radio: ESPN3 (Online), WQAM
Overall Records (ACC): Miami 3-2 (1-1), Duke 1-4 (0-2)
Line: Miami by 19.5
Last Year: Miami beat Duke at home 34-16 as Jacory Harris threw for 348 yards in the blowout win.
Miami Injuries:
| Josh Holmes | DT | Questionable Week 7 (lower body) |
| Jacory Harris | QB | Questionable Week 7 (shoulder) |
| Joel Figueroa | OL | Questionable Week 7 (Shoulder) |
| Marcus Robinson | DE | Questionable Week 7 (ankle) |
| Lamar Miller | RB | Questionable Week 7 (shoulder) |
Duke Injuries:
| Johnny Williams | CB | Questionable Week 7 (concussion) |
| Brett Huffman | TE | Questionable Week 7 (leg) |
Miami Offense vs. Duke Defense: Dukeโs defense is a nightmare, only it lasts months instead of hours. They rank 107th against the run and 75th against the pass. They also rank anย unconscionableย 115th in scoring defense, giving up 40 points a game. Do they even have a defensive coordinator?
Look for the Canes to establish the run early and shred the weak Duke secondary down the field. Miamiโs offense could play two men down and still look dominant.
This game should boost the confidence of quarterback Jacory Harris, as well as his receivers, who have been having the dropsies of late. That is, unless the Duke defense comes to play and somehow puts them in position for the monumental upset, leading to theย dismissalย of coach Randy Shannon.
Now thatโs an idea.
Duke Offense vs. Miami Defense: Duke quarterback Sean Renfree has been mistake prone this year (nine INT), so Miami will look to put the heat on early and often. Heโs a big kid (6โ5โณ,220) and has passed for over 350 yards in three out of five games. However, that is due more to Dukeโs habitual ways of playing from behind, rather than an electric passing attack.
Miami was run over by Florida State (298 rushing yards) last week, so it will not be surprising to see Duke prioritize the running game with Desmond Scott (5.7 YPC). That idea will be short-lived once theyย realizeย their line isnโt in the same league as Florida State.
Duke wideout Conner Vernon is a graduate of Miami Guilliver Prep. He leads the team with 548 yards and is, by far, their top target. The Blue Devil line has no answer for Allen Bailey, who should have a career day.
Miami Impact Player: RB Damien Berry: Miamiโs workhorse back has had over a 100 yards on the ground in two consecutive games. This week will mark the third.
Duke Impact Player: K Will Snyderwine: He has connected on 9-of-10 field goals this year, including 3-of-4 beyond 40 yards.
Quarterback: Miami
Running Back: Miami
Receiver/Tight End: Miami
Offensive Line: Miami
Defensive Line: Miami
Linebackers: Miami
Secondary: Miami
Special Teams: Duke
Prediction
As bad as Miami played last week at home against FSU, Duke doesnโt have a prayer in this one, unless half of the Canesโ roster gets foodย poisoning.
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