Tag: Duke football

Staff predictions for Week 13 matchup between Duke and Virginia Tech

Duke football is gearing up to take on Virginia Tech this Saturday, check out our Duke Wire staff predictions for the game.

The Duke Blue Devils have already exceeded expectations on the football field in 2024, but the final two weeks decide whether head coach Manny Diaz’s first season in Durham is good or great.

Duke already qualified for the postseason with seven wins in its first seven games, including the first season sweep of the North Carolina Tar Heels and NC State Wolfpack since 2013, but each successive tally in the win column only improves the Blue Devils’ national standing. A Week 14 win over Wake Forest would give Diaz bragging rights over the entire state, but the Virginia Tech Hokies must be taken care of first.

The Hokies’ 5-5 record makes them look like unformidable foes, but several ranked teams found out that fallacy the hard way already. While Virginia Tech didn’t win either game, it led Miami by 10 points in the fourth quarter and took a 7-0 advantage into halftime against the Clemson Tigers.

Check out whether our staff thinks the Blue Devils can slow down the Hokies and their elite rushing attack in this year’s final game at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Ryan Haley, Duke Wire site editor

Before anything else, the status of Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones and running back Bhayshul Tuten determines this entire game. Both players, who combine for nearly 70% of the team’s rushing yards, have dealt with injuries for most of the last month, but a bye week should have them closer to full speed.

Still, head coach Brent Pry labeled them as questionable earlier in the week, and even if they just play at less than 100%, that drastically changes Virginia Tech’s offensive outlook.

While a run-first program plays away from Duke’s defensive strengths, I think the intelligence and discipline of Jonathan Patke’s defense get brushed away more than they should. There are veterans everywhere, including the front seven, and they’ll be able to navigate some complicated run designs.

Besides, if quarterback Maalik Murphy keeps throwing multiple touchdowns per game on the other side, Duke is genuinely a top-five team in the conference. The redshirt sophomore hasn’t just produced more over the last three games, he’s looked more comfortable and made cleaner decisions, and there’s no reason to doubt that trend.

Duke 28, Virginia Tech 23

Bryant Crews, Staff Writer

For one last time in 2024, Duke will take the field at Wallace Wade. They do so, hosting an underachieving Virginia Tech team that some thought could compete for the ACC title and even the College Football Playoff. Well, to put it plainly, that just won’t be happening despite them returning 22 starters. Duke, on the other hand, has an incredibly reasonable shot at a nine-win season at 7-3.

Virginia Tech has a diverse and steady run game that Duke’s defense will have to key in on, but the Hokies passing game is far from electric. Making Drones a dropback passer and eliminating the RPO game could tilt things heavily in Duke’s favor. Tuten, a transfer from North Carolina A&T, is a highlight waiting to happen for the Hokies, and he’s closing in on 1,000 yards to pair with 12 touchdowns.

A fast start from Duke could completely mess up the likely game script for Virginia Tech offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen and allow Duke to pin its ears back and rush the QB, which favors the Blue Devils.

I think we see Duke off a bye week with a bit of extra pep in its step, and Duke pulls early 4th quarter for a two-score win. I see Sahmir Hagans scoring this week, too.

Duke 29, Virginia Tech 20

Josiah Caswell, Staff Writer

While I think Duke will win, Virginia Tech does pose a very interesting matchup for the Blue Devils. All year long, Duke’s specialty has been its pass defense led by cornerback Chandler Rivers.

Additionally, the Blue Devils’ pass rush and defensive line recorded 28.0 sacks and led the nation in tackles for loss for much of the season.

Despite that, the Blue Devils’ rushing defense isn’t stellar, or rather, it is more average at best. Out of all 134 FBS teams, the Duke rushing defense ranks just 71st with 149.3 rush yards allowed per game, including 3.83 yards per carry and 10 touchdowns.

For Virginia Tech, Tuten and Drones will make sure to test that. If Duke can continue forcing tackles for loss, it should win this no doubt. However, if Virginia Tech can have its way on the ground, the Hokies could create a very close game.

Duke 21, Virginia Tech 14

Maalik Murphy rejoins top eight quarterbacks in ACC Network rankings after Week 12

With eight passing touchdowns in his last three games, Duke’s Maalik Murphy rejoined Tom Luginbill’s ranking of the best ACC quarterbacks.

Thanks to three straight impressive performances, Duke quarterback [autotag]Maalik Murphy[/autotag] keeps working his way toward the top of the conference.

ACC Network’s Tom Luginbill ranked Murphy as the seventh-best ACC quarterback on Wednesday through Week 12.

Murphy started his conference schedule with three straight games underneath 210 passing yards, but he’s thrown for 865 yards and eight touchdowns in his last three games. He helped Duke take SMU to overtime, the closest the Mustangs have come to an ACC loss this season, with three touchdowns in Week 9 before putting together his first 300-yard performance against Miami one week later.

The former Texas Longhorn has thrown 22 touchdowns this season, fourth among ACC quarterbacks and two short of Duke’s single-season school record. He’s also protected the football better since Week 4. Outside of a four-turnover game against Miami, he’s thrown one interception since September 21.

Luginbill predictably put Miami star Cam Ward in the top spot, where the Heisman Trophy candidate has spent much of the season thanks to his 3,494 yards and 32 touchdowns. SMU’s Kevin Jennings, Cade Klubnik of the Clemson Tigers, and Syracuse’s Kyle McCord took the next three spots in order.

What does Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy need to make program history in Week 13?

Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy could break the Blue Devils’ single-season passing touchdown record on Saturday. Here’s what he needs.

With two games left in the 2024 regular season, quarterback [autotag]Maalik Murphy[/autotag] could leave his mark on the Duke football program before the end of the month.

With two touchdowns in his last appearance, Murphy tossed 22 touchdowns through his first 10 games in a Blue Devils uniform. That leaves him just two short of Anthony Dilweg’s school record of 24, a number that has stood since 1988.

So what are his chances of making history in front of the home crowd on Saturday? Murphy’s thrown multiple touchdowns in eight different games this season, including each of his last three.

The Virginia Tech secondary gave up 15 touchdowns in its first 10 games, but the Hokies have suffered from some feast-or-famine symptoms in 2024. Thirteen of those scores came in just five games, including four from Miami quarterback Cam Ward. If Duke fans want some recent form to take advantage of, however, Virginia Tech’s past two opponents have thrown five touchdowns while averaging 245.5 yards through the air.

He’ll have one more chance against Wake Forest if history doesn’t come in Week 13, but Murphy could very well do something yet unseen at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Former Duke football star Aeneas Peebles returns to Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday

With the Virginia Tech Hokies coming to Durham on Saturday, a former four-year Duke football star makes his return to Wallace Wade Stadium.

The Duke Blue Devils play their last home game of the 2024 college football season on Saturday, and a former member of the program will be on the visitor’s sideline.

Defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles spent four seasons in Durham, totaling 14.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks between his 48 games in a Duke uniform. However, once former head coach Mike Elko left to helm the Texas A&M Aggies, he entered the transfer portal and ended up in Blacksburg.

Through his first 10 games of the 2024 season, Peebles has three sacks, but he hasn’t added to that total since a road game against Stanford on October 5. He’s amassed 28 total tackles, including 5.0 for a loss, and he had his best game against Rutgers back in Week 4. He ended that performance with five tackles and 1.5 TFLs.

While Peebles has found success along a defensive front that sits third among ACC teams with 31 total sacks, the Blue Devils didn’t exactly lose the split. Duke’s 28 sacks are fifth in the conference, and under first-year coordinator Jonathan Patke, the team has 85 TFLs in 10 games.

Duke fans can watch the Blue Devils try to beat their former teammate on ACC Network at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time.

Where are the Duke Blue Devils in the latest USA TODAY Sports bowl projections?

Check out where the Duke Blue Devils fit on the college football bowl schedule in the latest USA TODAY Sports projections.

With seven wins in their first 10 games, the Duke Blue Devils have done more than cement their place on the bowl calendar. Head coach [autotag]Manny Diaz[/autotag] and his team look poised for a primary spot on the schedule.

According to the latest projections from USA TODAY Sports’ Erick Smith, Duke fans can book a trip to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl for a January 3rd game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

The Golden Gophers have rebounded well from a 2-3 start to the season. They beat the USC Trojans, UCLA Bruins, and a ranked Illinois Fighting Illini squad during a recent four-game win streak. Minnesota already reached six wins, which is helpful with a closing schedule that includes the Penn State Nittany Lions and Wisconsin Badgers.

Smith still thinks the Miami Hurricanes are in line for the ACC title, setting them up for a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff bracket. The SMU Mustangs, Miami’s likely opponent in the championship game, didn’t make the 12-team field.

Duke football rises one spot in latest USA TODAY Sports ACC power rankings

Following their bye week, Duke moved up one spot in the latest USA TODAY Sports ACC power rankings.

Duke was inactive for Week 12 of the college football season, letting the Blue Devils rest up on their bye week. However, that didn’t mean they couldn’t move in the Week 13 edition of the USA TODAY Sports ACC power rankings.

Ehsan Kassim put the Blue Devils sixth out of the conference’s 17 teams, one spot higher than last week this week.

Following a 5-0 start, Duke had lost three of four before their 29-19 victory over the NC State Wolfpack in Raleigh. Simply put, they needed the bye.

The teams ranked ahead of the Blue Devils are, in order, the SMU Mustangs, Miami Hurricanes, Clemson Tigers, Syracuse Orange, and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Louisville, who was ranked No. 4 last week, dropped below Duke after a stunning road loss to Stanford.

The Blue Devils will host Virginia Tech on Saturday. It will be a big-time test for Duke, as the Hokies bring one of the ACC’s top rushing offenses.

Duke’s strength lies in their passing defense, but their rushing defense can be a weakness at times. It is worth noting, though, that Duke led the country in tackles for loss for most of the season.

Duke Blue Devils drops two spots in latest college football rankings from The Athletic

Following a bye, the Duke Blue Devils stayed within the top 40 of The Athletic’s latest college football ranking.

Duke football was on a bye in Week 12, giving the Blue Devils a much-needed rest ahead of the final stretch for the regular season. Despite not doing anything, they still moved in The Athletic’s weekly ranking of all 134 FBS teams.

Ahead of Week 13, Chris Vannini ranked Duke as the No. 39 in the country, two spots lower than the week before. The Baylor Bears and Syracuse Orange, among other teams, jumped up thanks to some big wins over the weekend.

The new ranking also left the Blue Devils eighth among the ACC teams. The SMU Mustangs (12th), Miami Hurricanes (14th), and Clemson Tigers (19th) remain in their own class as conference favorites.

Now, Duke will face Virginia Tech. The Hokies, whom Vannini ranked 52nd with a 5-5 record, will look to take advantage of Duke’s defense in the run game. The Blue Devils rack up more tackles for loss than almost any team in the country, but their overall run defense hasn’t been amazing. The Blue Devils’ strength is, instead, their secondary.

After Virginia Tech, Duke will finish the season against Wake Forest (76th). If all goes well in the two games, the Blue Devils can finish the season 9-3 and earn a spot in a strong bowl game.

Duke football sticks within the top 30 of the USA TODAY Sports re-rank

The Duke football team, idle in Week 12, stuck within the top 30 of the USA TODAY Sports re-rank.

With only two weeks left in the 2024 regular season, the Duke Blue Devils remain close to the top of the college football world.

USA TODAY Sports writer Paul Myerberg released his updated ranking of every FBS college football team after Week 12, and the Duke Blue Devils moved up two spots to 27th.

In his first season as the program’s head coach, [autotag]Manny Diaz[/autotag] won his first five games to kick-start what is currently a 7-3 campaign. With the Blue Devils’ most recent win in Raleigh, the team beat both the North Carolina Tar Heels and NC State Wolfpack in the same season for the first time in more than a decade.

If Duke can beat either Virginia Tech or Wake Forest over the next two weeks, the Blue Devils could clinch their third straight eight-win season.

Just like every other major college football ranking, the Oregon Ducks took the top overall spot. With the ACC in a chaotic three-team race for the conference title, Myerberg has Miami (10th) and SMU (11th) as the best teams in the league. The Clemson Tigers (14th) remain alive, but they’d need an upset or two to make it to Charlotte.

Two big Virginia Tech football stars listed as questionable ahead of Saturday game vs Duke

Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry labeled his top two offensive weapons as questionable ahead of a Saturday game against Duke.

The Duke Blue Devils (7-3) host the Virginia Tech Hokies (5-5) for the final home football game of the season on Saturday, and the fans in Durham should keep a close eye on the status of two major stars on the opposing team.

Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry said on Tuesday that quarterback Kyron Drones and running back Bhayshul Tuten are both questionable for Saturday’s game, as is running back Malachi Thomas.

Drones has thrown for 1,562 yards this season, completing 60.7% of his passes and averaging 7.0 yards per attempt. He’s found the end zone 10 times through the air and six more times with his legs, adding 336 yards as a rushing threat.

Tuten would be the biggest loss for Virginia Tech if he can’t go at full strength. He picked up 951 yards and scored 12 touchdowns in the team’s first eight games, including a 266-yard performance against Boston College.

Tuten and Drones both missed the Hokies’ road game against Syracuse on November 2, and Virginia Tech lost 38-31 in overtime.

Thomas’s status becomes much more important if Tuten can’t carry a large percentage of the work. His 160 yards are the third-most on the team, and he picked up 73 yards and reached the end zone once against the Orange.

Duke is excited for the challenge of Virginia Tech’s ground game, Jonathan Patke says

Virginia Tech brings a dominant rushing attack to Durham, but defensive coordinator Jonathan Patke’s unit won’t shy from a challenge.

The Duke defense welcomes Virginia Tech to Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday, and the Hokies bring one of the ACC’s best ground games with them to Durham.

Through Week 12, the Hokies are one of five ACC teams averaging more than five yards per carry, and they’re second among those five teams in total attempts. The end result is an offense picking up more than 185 rushing yards per week.

“I think they do a great job in the run game trying to attack you with some outside zone, some stretch, and a lot of motion on every play,” Duke defensive coordinator Jonathan Patke said on Monday. “About 75 percent of their normal downs have some type of motion on it to get your eyes going in the wrong direction.”

Running back Bhayshul Tuten and quarterback Kyron Drones form the heartbeat of that attack. Tuten picked up 951 yards and scored 12 touchdowns through the Hokies’ first eight games, surpassing the 100-yard mark five different times. He’s battled injury over the last two weeks, but he rumbled around for 266 yards and three scores against Boston College just a month ago.

Drones, who has also battled some injuries for the last three weeks, has added 336 yards and six scores with his legs. While the Blue Devils have faced SMU’s Kevin Jennings, Miami’s Cam Ward, and NC State’s CJ Bailey in the past three games, Patke says Drones presents a different challenge.

“He’s a little bit different than the guys we’ve seen in the past few weeks,” Patke said on Monday. “He’s going to try to run through you and he’s a big guy, so they designed some runs for him and sometimes he just makes it happen on his own.”

The duo has combined for more than 69% of the Hokies’ rushing yards. Despite their talent, however, Patke didn’t make it sound like his defense carried any nerves.

“It’s a great challenge for us,” he concluded. “It will be a physical football game and we’re excited.”