Duke’s pass defense, the best in the ACC, set to face high-flying Miami Hurricanes

With Miami and Duke set to face off this week, the game will feature the ACC’s best passing offense against the top pass defense.

The Miami Hurricanes (8-0, 4-0) will host the Duke Blue Devils (6-2, 2-2) in Week 10 of the college football season. While it will be a big-time ACC matchup for the records alone, it will also be a showdown between the best Power Four passing offense and top ACC pass defense.

The Hurricanes average 366.8 passing yards per game, second only to North Texas among FBS teams, and lead the country with 560.8 total yards per game. On Duke’s side of things, the Blue Devils have allowed just 166.6 passing yards per game, good enough for 13th in the nation and first in the ACC.

The Miami offense has averaged 46.8 points per game, also the top mark in the nation. Additionally, the Hurricanes are led by Heisman Trophy candidate Cam Ward at quarterback. Through eight games this season, Ward has thrown for 2,746 yards and 24 touchdowns with five interceptions. He also has 186 yards and three touchdowns on the ground on just 42 carries.

The Blue Devils defense, on the other hand, has allowed just 18.6 points per game, tied with the Alabama Crimson Tide for 20th in the FBS. Additionally, Duke’s 5.44 yards allowed per pass attempt are the fifth-fewest in the nation and more than 0.5 yards better than any other ACC team.

The most notable Duke star has been cornerback [autotag]Chandler Rivers[/autotag]. Through eight games, he’s recorded 27 tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, five pass deflections, and one defensive touchdown. Each of his picks came in the last two weeks, earning ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors after he returned one for a touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles before making the Pro Football Focus ACC Team of the Week for his performance against SMU.