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

For the ACC slate, our soccer beat writers predict whether or not the Blue Devils will decide up a win of their weekly matchup. Duke soccer is coming off a heartbreaking loss to SMU, however will look to bounce again on the highway in opposition to Miami: 

Ranjan Jindal: Miami 30-20

Duke’s offense confirmed indicators of life in opposition to Miami, and I feel the Blue Devils can put up some factors in opposition to an inconsistent Hurricanes secondary. The defensive gameplan needs to be related in opposition to Cam Ward as Kevin Jennings, however I feel Ward is simply just too proficient. Damien Martinez is the distinction for me, however I feel Duke fights laborious on the highway. 

Dom Fenoglio: Miami 27-17

Duke’s protection has been excellent thus far, however Miami’s offense has been even higher. The Hurricanes are first within the nation in each factors per recreation and yards per recreation, and are led by Heisman candidate Cam Ward. I feel the Blue Devils’ protection will maintain their very own — comparatively talking. Nonetheless, I’ve a tough time discovering a manner for Duke to come back out on prime on the highway in opposition to a top-five workforce.

Caleb Dudley: Miami 27-10

In my preseason media poll, I picked Cam Ward to win the ACC Participant of the 12 months and the Hurricanes to make the convention championship. At this level within the season, I see no purpose to vary that. Ward and firm has been dynamic, and I don’t assume even a stout Blue Satan protection will have the ability to totally include them. Mix that with an offense that faces a star-studded Hurricane defensive entrance, and I feel Duke falls flat within the Manny Diaz revenge recreation.

Martin Heintzelman: Miami 23-17

An upset in opposition to Miami is unbelievable in virtually each sense — aside from the truth that Duke soccer appears proof against likelihood. The Blue Devils play their finest soccer with the playing cards stacked in opposition to them, so I’m standing by my preseason prediction that they stroll away with Saturday’s win. Manny Diaz has one thing to show in his return to Exhausting Rock Stadium, and final week’s still-stinging loss might encourage the decisive offense Duke has been lacking. Add in a protection able to muting Cam Ward’s historically robust passing recreation, and this upset is way from far-fetched.

Tyler Walley: Miami 34-27

For as proficient as No. 5 Miami is, it has not performed essentially the most constant in-conference soccer. Shut wins in opposition to Cal, Louisville and Virginia Tech have demonstrated that a lot, and the Hurricanes are extra weak than many would possibly anticipate. Add Maalik Murphy, who simply accomplished his finest recreation as a Blue Satan, and I feel this contest has all of the makings of a shootout. Whereas I do assume Duke will play valiantly as much as its competitors — particularly in a Diaz revenge recreation — expertise remains to be essential, and thus I’ve Hurricanes defeating the Blue Devils by a landing.

Season data

Jindal: 5-0

Fenoglio: 3-2

Dudley: 4-1

Heintzelman: 3-2

Amare: 4-1

DiSalvo: 4-1

Walley: 4-1

Rodrigo Amare

Rodrigo Amare is a Trinity sophomore and assistant Blue Zone editor of The Chronicle’s a hundred and twentieth quantity.

Martin Heintzelman

Martin Heintzelman is a Trinity junior and Blue Zone editor of The Chronicle’s a hundred and twentieth quantity.

Abby DiSalvo

Abby DiSalvo is a Trinity sophomore and assistant Blue Zone editor of The Chronicle’s a hundred and twentieth quantity.