Hard to believe but we are already entering week 5 of the college football season. Friday provides a battle of unbeaten squads in the ACC is Miami (2-0, 0-0) makes the voyage up north to Durham, NC to battle the Duke Blue Devils (4-0, 0-0). This game opens up conference play for the Hurricanes, and is the first ACC game played on a Friday night this season. Duke head coach David Cutcliffe isn’t a fan of Friday night games, as he was quoted in the Raleigh News and Observer. “I don’t like the fact that Friday night football exists because it should be for high schools. I apologize to all of the high school programs. But if we are going to do it, and do it contractually, we need to do it right.” Clearly, Cutcliffe isn’t jazzed about playing on Friday.
The last time these two teams played in Durham (2015), it featured one of the wildest finishes in college football history. Miami won 30-27 on a last second kickoff return, which included eight laterals and the Hurricanes found their way to the end zone for the victory. Last year, Miami bested Duke 40-21 as now-pro QB Brad Kaaya had 396 yards passing in a terrific home effort. Duke Coach David Cutcliffe will have no problem motivating his team for this terrific matchup, as long as he himself can get over playing on a Friday.
Miami (FL) vs. Duke College Football Preview
Date/Time: Friday, September 29
TV: ESPN
College Football Betting Odds from 5Dimes
College Football Betting Favorite: Miami -7
Total: 56
Miami Hurricanes
Replacing Kaaya under center is Malik Rosier. A 6’1” 216 lb. Junior from Mobile, AL, Rosier sports a 6/1 TD-INT ratio for 550 yards on the season. The ‘Canes have only played two games this season, following the cancellation of their 9/9 game vs. Arkansas St. and postponement of their 9/16 game vs. Florida State because of possible weather from Hurricane Irma. Miami’s workhorse RB is Mark Walton. A stout 5’9” 205 lb. Junior from Miami, the hometown star has rushed for 352 yards and 3 TDs on 27 carries in just two games. Granted, the defenses of Bethune-Cookman and Toledo don’t exactly strike fear in the hearts of men. One key to this game will be how much success Walton can have on the ground against the #2 nationally ranked rush defense of Duke. The Blue Devils are giving up only 2.33 YPC in 2017. Mark Richt, who took over for last season for interim head coach Larry Scott, will have to depend on more than a last-second Miami miracle to get past Duke this week.
Duke Blue Devils
Daniel Jones is in his second year commanding the Duke offense. The 6’5” 215 lb. Sophomore from Charlotte, NC has the build of a future NFL QB. Jones comes into the week with a 5/2 TD-INT ratio through four games. Playing the likes of Northwestern, Baylor, and UNC we have been able to see Jones has had success against Big 12 and ACC foes. HC David Cutcliffe was the QB coach at Tennessee during Peyton Manning’s tenure, so Jones can only benefit from being under the tutelage of Cutcliffe. Also from Charlotte, RB Shaun Wilson looks to continue his terrific Senior campaign. Wilson is averaging 6.1 YPC this season and has hit pay dirt five times in four games, with one fumble lost in 59 total carries. He’s also caught 10 passes for 54 yards on the season. Wilson has breakaway speed, and with this being his final shot at defeating the Hurricanes, the Sin City Sharp predicts a max effort with positive results from Shaun Wilson.
Sin City Sharp’s (@sincitysharp on twitter) Free Pick: Duke Blue Devils +7
Duke has played twice as many games as Miami this season, and they’ve played tougher competition than the ‘Canes. Playing more games not only galvanizes a team, but it gets them in rhythm. Coaches have a better idea of what is working, and what to focus on. Duke has been rolling, defeating all teams standing in their way this season. Of course, Miami will provide their toughest test to date. Sin City sharp believes this will be a back-and-forth game that comes down to the very last possession. Playing on a Friday night might not be favorable for David Cutcliffe, but his players will be plenty motivated under the Friday night lights.
Kyle Hunter is 14-1 in his last 15 college football TOP Rated totals. All of Kyle’s guaranteed premium packages are available here. Looking for free picks? Sign up for the newsletter at the top of this page or click here. The newsletter free plays are 53-23 in the last 76 selections.
