Duke @ Miami (-7) TV: ESPN2 7:30pm Saturday
Daniel: This is an interesting one. Duke has won its last 12 regular-season game, the second-longest active streak in college football. But we really don’t know a ton about this year’s version of the Blue Devils. Yes, they’re 4-0, but those four wins have come against some extreme lightweights. Miami, meanwhile, has been tested at Louisville and Nebraska and came up short both times. Duke has the better coach, but I’m again going to go with the more talented team at home in Miami. The Blue Devils aren’t incredibly stout against the run, so I think Miami RB Duke Johnson has a big day on the ground. Winner: Miami 28-21
Houston: Miami has struggled on the road. This game is at home. Seems simple enough, but this Duke team is off to a sneaky-good start and will be entering this game with a lot of confidence. Duke is playing very well on offense through four games and haven’t really had a game where they had to unleash their full arsenal. I think that Miami will present Duke some challenges with their athleticism and playmaking ability, but I also think that David Cutcliffe will have plenty of wrinkles to fool that Cane defense. Miami’s freshman quarterback Brad Haaya has improved each week, but if there is one coach out there who knows how to confuse a freshman quarterback, it’s David Cutcliffe. I expect a high scoring back and forth game with plenty of big plays, but I like Duke to win in the end with disciplined football and a nice rushing attack to set up some play action touchdowns. Winner: Duke 34-27
Reed: This is the toughest game for me to pick this week. Miami will have a decided talent edge and they’re solid when they play at home. Duke, on the other hand, is just playing better football. The edge in coaching unquestionably goes to David Cutcliffe and the Blue Devils – and that very well could be the difference. Duke wins a shootout as long as they take care of the football. Winner: Duke 34-28
Zac: Duke Johnson has been explosive, but the ‘Canes have failed both tests against Power Five opponents this season with losses to Louisville and Nebraska. Duke hasn’t faced as tough a schedule so far this season, but the Blue Devils still have the ACC’s best scoring offense (43.5 points per game) and scoring defense (11.5) through four games. Coach David Cutcliffe’s crew gets it done in Miami. Winner: Duke 24-21
