Duke at Miami Hurricanes Week 10: Five things to watch

Which Duke players does the Miami offense have to account for?

The Hurricanes have been using the striker position extensively this season. It was created during spring practice to take advantage of Miami’s depth at safety. Romeo Finley and Derrick Smith have been the main players getting time at striker. That has taken time away from strongside linebacker Zach McCloud.

The Duke offense had struggled like Miami for most of this season against FBS teams. The loss to Pittsburgh was their first time over 400 yards against an FBS team this season. They exploded past that mark in a big way.

Live Feed

Gig Em Gazette

Led by quarterback Daniel Jones the Blue Devils had 619 total yards against the Panthers. Jones threw for 396 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. He will test the Hurricanes stellar secondary.

Duke running back Deon Jackson is an all-purpose threat that Diaz and special teams coach Todd Hartley are going to have to devise a game plan to in the words of Sportscaster Dan Patrick “You can’t stop him you can only hope to contain him.”

Jackson ran for 162 yards, caught three passes for 89 yards and a touchdown and had six kick returns for 152 yards. Hidden yards have hurt Miami all season. Miami has to get better play on special teams and avoid penalties to give the defense a better chance to succeed.

Wide receivers Jonathan Lloyd and T.J. Rahming are also players the Miami defense has to contain against Duke. Rahming leads the Blue Devlis with 39 receptions for 394 yards and six touchdowns. Lloyd has 32, 440 and five.