For the ACC slate, our football beat writers predict whether the Blue Devils will pick up a win in their weekly matchup. Duke football is coming off back-to-back losses, but will try to get a road win against N.C. State:
Ranjan Jindal: Duke 34-24
This is a big one for Duke, as the Blue Devils need to get back on track in the final stretch of the season. Manny Diaz’s group has performed well on offense against Miami and SMU, and I think that continues against a subpar Wolfpack defense. I am a big fan of CJ Bailey’s dual-threat ability, and I think he could present the Blue Devil defense with some challenges. That said, it should be a high-scoring affair with Duke coming out on top.
Dom Fenoglio: Duke 24-17
Covering both of the Blue Devils’ last two losses, I am still confident in head coach Manny Diaz’s abilities. Duke’s offense has shown continuous signs of improving, and the defense remains an X-factor. I think the defensive front will be able to get after Bailey, and the Blue Devils should have increased success in the rushing game. Miami and SMU are the top two run defenses in the ACC, N.C. State is 14th. If Maalik Murphy can keep things simple, Duke should right the ship and come back to Durham with renewed spirits.
Caleb Dudley: Duke 21-17
Last year, Duke emphatically took down the Wolfpack, with Henry Belin IV able to captain the offense despite completing less than 10 passes. In that game, a stout Blue Devil defense stifled the N.C. State offensive unit. After letting up an uncharacteristic amount of points last week, I see the defense regrouping and leading Duke to a big bounce back win. Freshman quarterback CJ Bailey will have his hands full with the Blue Devil front seven, and I think they can rattle him just enough in front of the packed crowd at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Martin Heintzelman: Duke 27-13
While the losses against SMU and Miami were certainly heartbreaking for the Blue Devils, I would argue that Duke — and especially Maalik Murphy — has played some of its best football so far in its last two weeks. Murphy’s vision and judgment have been impressive, especially compared to some of the earlier games. With two good offensive games under its belt after leaning on the defense previously, I think this is the game where Duke finally puts it together. If the offense can once again come out looking like it did against the Hurricanes and the defense gets its legs under it, this has the makings of one of the most complete performances of the year. Look for the Blue Devils to walk out of Raleigh with the win.
Abby DiSalvo: Duke 27-24
The Wolfpack will make this game a dogfight, but what better chance for Duke to break its underdog curse? Murphy is arguably coming off his two best games of the season, tallying 295 and 325 yards, respectively, against SMU and Miami. Though CJ Bailey has averaged similar numbers across his last four games, I think Duke’s proven ability to create chaos in the backfield could throw a wrench in his production. Add in the extra motivation of a Blue Devil squad looking to snap its losing streak, and this matchup has all the makings of an upset.
Rodrigo Amare: N.C. State 24-21
This game should be a hard-fought affair that comes down to a couple of key plays, and I simply think the Wolfpack’s momentum and home-field advantage will push them across the finish line. N.C. State’s freshman quarterback CJ Bailey has performed far better than Duke’s Malik Murphy in recent weeks, and I trust Bailey to make big-time plays when it matters far more than Murphy at this point in the season. At the same time, if the Blue Devil defense forces several turnovers at key moments like it's done time and again this season, I could also see Duke pulling out the victory in Raleigh.
Tyler Walley: N.C. State 27-24
This should be a spirited fight between these Research Triangle teams. I actually have been quite impressed with Maalik Murphy’s growth as a passer this year despite a poor second half against Miami. Unfortunately for him, his counterpart, Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey comes into this contest red-hot, having just completed a near-perfect outing against Stanford. The Blue Devils will have a fighting chance here, but I think Bailey and the Wolfpack come out on top.
Season records
Jindal: 6-0
Fenoglio: 4-2
Dudley: 5-1
Heintzelman: 4-2
Amare: 5-1
DiSalvo: 4-2
Walley: 5-1
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Dom Fenoglio is a Trinity junior and a sports managing editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.
Ranjan Jindal is a Trinity junior and sports editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.
Rodrigo Amare is a Trinity sophomore and assistant Blue Zone editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.
Martin Heintzelman is a Trinity junior and Blue Zone editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.
Abby DiSalvo is a Trinity sophomore and assistant Blue Zone editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.