Saturday, September 27, 2014

Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Is this Duke football team for real? That's one of the big questions floating around the college football landscape as the Blue Devils are off to a 4-0 start. Granted those four victories have come against inferior opponents, we'll find out if Duke is legitimate as they kick off ACC play against Miami at Sun Life Stadium. Last year The U lost to Duke for the first time since 1976 in a 48-30 upset at Wallace Wade Stadium. The 'Canes (2-2) are hoping that loss isn't the start of a trend.

Duke is led by a triumvirate of RB's that power their ground attack. Shaun Wilson (404 yards, 4TD), Josh Snead (147 yards, 1TD), and Shaq Powell (142 yards, 1TD) lead a grind it out offense that could pose trouble for a Miami team that gave up 343 rushing yards to Nebraska a week ago. The Blue Devils have rarely been tested early in the season, posting wins over Elon (52-13), Troy (34-17), Kansas (41-3), and Tulane (47-13). Limiting Brad Kaaya and the UM offense will be a true showing of whether the Duke defense is as good as their 11.5 PPG or if that ranking is just a product of the schedule.

Miami has had two big tests early in 2014 and has failed them both. The Hurricanes started off the year with a 31-13 loss at Louisville and just last week fell to Nebraska 41-31 in Lincoln. UM had two easy wins in between the losses but has bad intent when Duke comes to town. Freshman QB Brad Kaaya has thrown for over 340 yards in two straight games but has been prone to turnovers early in his career, tossing 10 TD but also 7 INT.

Miami counters with their own Duke (RB Duke Johnson) in their revenge match against the Blue Devils. The Junior RB missed last year's game with a broken ankle but torched the Blue Devils two years ago with 176 yards and 3 TD. The Blue Devils' Snead and Powell both set career highs in rushing yardage against UM last season as Duke powered for 358 yards against the Canes. The oddsmakers have made Miami the favorites, but Duke isn't going to let their perfect record go quietly.

Duke Blue Devils Betting Trends

Duke Blue Devils are 3-1-0 Against the Spread

Duke Blue Devils are 1-2-0 against the Over/Under

Miami (FL) Hurricanes Betting Trends

Miami (FL) Hurricanes are 1-3-0 Against the Spread

Miami (FL) Hurricanes are 2-1-0 against the Over/Under

Injuries to Watch

Duke Blue Devils

09/21/14 TE Dan Beilinson Upper Body "?" Saturday vs. Miami Florida
09/21/14 OL Dezmond Johnson Leg "?" Saturday vs. Miami Florida
09/21/14 OL Jake Sanders Upper Body "?" Saturday vs. Miami Florida
09/21/14 CB Johnathan Lloyd Lower Body "?" Saturday vs. Miami Florida
09/21/14 OL Lucas Patrick Leg "?" Saturday vs. Miami Florida
09/21/14 OL Trip McNeill Lower Body "?" Saturday vs. Miami Florida
08/30/14 - Taariq Shabazz Leg out for season
08/21/14 TE Braxton Deaver Knee out for season
08/14/14 LB Kelby Brown Knee out for season

Miami (FL) Hurricanes

09/21/14 OL Alex Gall Undisclosed "?" Saturday vs. Duke
09/21/14 DE Chad Thomas Back "?" Saturday vs. Duke
09/21/14 PK Matt Goudis Back "?" Saturday vs. Duke
09/15/14 QB Kevin Olsen Legal problems left the team
09/12/14 DE Al-Quadin Muhammad Suspension out for season
09/05/14 Backup QB Ryan Williams Knee out indefinitely
08/15/14 WR Rashawn Scott Shoulder out indefinitely
08/14/14 DB Rayshawn Jenkins Back out for season

Josh's Pick: Take Miami

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