Duke Blue Devils vs. Miami Hurricanes Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 2nd 2024

Stadium: Sun Life Stadium Miami Gardens
Logo Duke Blue Devils
VS
Logo Miami Hurricanes
55
OPENER
-20.5

55.5o -110
CURRENT
-21 +100

+798
MONEYLINE
-1241

31
SCORE
53

Preview and Prediction

The matchup between No. 5 Miami and visiting Duke on Saturday afternoon has a personal feel to it.

This is due to the presence of Manny Diaz, a Miami native who is in his first season as the Blue Devils' head coach.

Diaz previously served as the Hurricanes' defensive coordinator (2016-18) and head coach (2019-21). His firing led to current Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal receiving a 10-year, $80 million contract from Miami.

This is just one of the many storylines surrounding this Atlantic Coast Conference game in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Miami (8-0, 4-0) is off to its best start since going 10-0 in 2017 and is favored to win. The Hurricanes boast an explosive offense, ranking first in the nation in average points scored (46.8) and third-down conversion percentage (59.8).

Quarterback Cam Ward is a key part of Miami's success, ranking second nationally in passing touchdowns (24) and third in passing yards per game (343.3).

But it's not just Ward. Wide receiver Xavier Restrepo is second in the ACC in receiving yards (710) and has the potential to break career records previously held by NFL stars Reggie Wayne and Michael Irvin.

At running back, Miami has a strong trio in Mark Fletcher Jr., Damien Martinez, and Ajay Allen, who has the speed and agility to tire out defenses.

In their last game against Florida State, Martinez rushed for 148 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing his strength and toughness.

However, Duke's strength lies in their defense, which ranks second in the ACC in average points allowed (18.6) and is tied for 20th nationally with Alabama.

The Blue Devils (6-2, 2-2) also excel at recovering fumbles, leading the nation with 10.

The other intriguing matchup on Saturday is Miami's struggling defense, which has allowed 34 or more points in three of their last four games, against Duke's inconsistent offense, which ranks tied for 14th in the league in scoring (26.0).

Duke's quarterback Maalik Murphy, a transfer from Texas, has completed 58.6% of his passes for 17 touchdowns and five interceptions this season.

His top playmakers are running back Star Thomas and wide receivers Eli Pancol and Jordan Moore, who could pose a challenge for Miami's defense.

Despite the personal nature of this game for Diaz, he is not viewing it as a "revenge" game.

"Revenge is a poor motivation," he stated. "I learned a lot at Miami, and ultimately it wasn't enough, but that's okay."

Diaz, who is 50 years old, also joked about the ACC schedule-makers having a "sense of humor" for scheduling this game.

PREDICTION
Duke Blue Devils
17
38
Miami Hurricanes

Duke Blue Devils vs. Miami Hurricanes Recap NOV 2TH 2024

Cam Ward passed for 400 yards and five touchdowns as the fifth-ranked Miami Hurricanes remained undefeated, rallying to beat the visiting Duke Blue Devils 53-31 in an ACC matchup on Saturday afternoon in Miami Gardens, Fla.

The Hurricanes, who entered the game ranked No. 1 in the nation in scoring average (46.8), exceeded that total as they rallied from an 11-point third-quarter deficit.

Hurricanes wide receiver Xavier Restrepo had eight catches for 146 yards and three touchdowns. On his third TD, he broke Miami's career record for catches and yards.

Miami (9-0, 5-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) got the best of Duke coach Manny Diaz, who spent six years with the Hurricanes, including three as their head coach. This was Diaz's first game against Miami.

The Hurricanes, who are off to their best start since going 10-0 to begin 2017, intercepted Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy three times. Murphy also lost one fumble.

Duke (6-3, 2-3) was led by running back Peyton Jones, who scored one rushing touchdown and one receiving TD in totaling 132 yards from scrimmage (71 rushing, 61 receiving).

The Hurricanes led 14-7 after one quarter, but Duke surged ahead in the second period.

In fact, the Blue Devils tied the score 14-14 on Murphy's 27-yard pass to Sahmir Hagans, who used a legal pick to get wide open.

Miami grabbed a 17-14 lead on Andres Borregales' 29-yard field goal with 4:51 left in the second quarter.

Duke went ahead for the first time, 21-17, on Murphy's 6-yard touchdown pass to Jones.

The Blue Devils took the second-half kickoff and scored on a fourth-and-1 play as Murphy threw an 8-yard TD pass to Jordan Moore, who was left open on a Miami blitz. It was Duke's fourth TD drive --- all of them at least 75 yards - in five possessions.

Miami scored on its next possession as Restrepo beat double coverage for a 3-yard TD pass. Ward ran in a two-point conversion to cut Miami's deficit to 28-25.

Then, after Murphy was intercepted, Miami took a 32-28 lead on tight end Elija Lofton's 2-yard run up the middle. That capped a 38-yard short-field drive helped by that interception by OJ Frederique.

Duke cut its deficit to 32-31 on Todd Pelino's 24-yard field goal with 13:51 remaining in regulation.

However, Miami scored on its next possession to take 39-31 lead with 12:56 left in the fourth. On that play, Ward lobbed a 49-yard TD pass to Jacolby George.

With 7:36 left, Restepo then broke both of those records with a catch-and-run TD of 66 yards, giving Miami a 46-31 lead with 7:36 to go, and the Hurricanes cruised from there.