Beats’ picks: Will Duke football pull of a road upset against No. 5 Miami?

For the ACC slate, our football beat writers predict whether the Blue Devils will pick up a win in their weekly matchup. Duke football is coming off a heartbreaking loss to SMU, but will look to bounce back on the road against Miami: 

Ranjan Jindal: Miami 30-20

Duke’s offense showed signs of life against Miami, and I think the Blue Devils can put up some points against an inconsistent Hurricanes secondary. The defensive gameplan should be similar against Cam Ward as Kevin Jennings, but I think Ward is just simply too talented. Damien Martinez is the difference for me, but I think Duke fights hard on the road. 

Dom Fenoglio: Miami 27-17

Duke’s defense has been superb to this point, but Miami’s offense has been even better. The Hurricanes are first in the nation in both points per game and yards per game, and are led by Heisman candidate Cam Ward. I think the Blue Devils’ defense will hold their own — relatively speaking. However, I have a hard time finding a way for Duke to come out on top on the road against a top-five team.

Caleb Dudley: Miami 27-10

In my preseason media ballot, I picked Cam Ward to win the ACC Player of the Year and the Hurricanes to make the conference championship. At this point in the season, I see no reason to change that. Ward and company has been dynamic, and I do not think even a stout Blue Devil defense will be able to fully contain them. Combine that with an offense that faces a star-studded Hurricane defensive front, and I think Duke falls flat in the Manny Diaz revenge game.

Martin Heintzelman: Miami 23-17

An upset against Miami is improbable in almost every sense — except for the fact that Duke football seems immune to probability. The Blue Devils play their best football with the cards stacked against them, so I’m standing by my preseason prediction that they walk away with Saturday’s win. Manny Diaz has something to prove in his return to Hard Rock Stadium, and last week’s still-stinging loss could inspire the decisive offense Duke has been missing. Add in a defense capable of muting Cam Ward’s traditionally strong passing game, and this upset is far from far-fetched.

Tyler Walley: Miami 34-27

For as talented as No. 5 Miami is, it has not played the most consistent in-conference football. Close wins against Cal, Louisville and Virginia Tech have demonstrated that much, and the Hurricanes are more vulnerable than many might expect. Add Maalik Murphy, who just completed his best game as a Blue Devil, and I think this contest has all the makings of a shootout. While I do think Duke will play valiantly up to its competition — especially in a Diaz revenge game — talent is still crucial, and thus I have Hurricanes defeating the Blue Devils by a touchdown.

Season records

Jindal: 5-0

Fenoglio: 3-2

Dudley: 4-1

Heintzelman: 3-2

Amare: 4-1

DiSalvo: 4-1

Walley: 4-1

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