With the ACC race tightening and five teams now sharing one conference loss, No. 19 Virginia’s trip to Duke on Saturday carries significant implications for the stretch run.
The Cavaliers (8-2, 5-1) visit the Blue Devils (5-4, 4-1) for final ACC road test and their third visit this season to the Research Triangle. Both teams control their own fate in the final weeks.
Virginia is coming off its first conference loss, a 16-9 setback to Wake Forest in a game that didn’t feature a touchdown from scrimmage. Quarterback Chandler Morris exited after taking a late hit, though reports indicate he is expected to play. Morris leads an offense that has been inconsistent through the air, ranking just 88th nationally
On the other side, Duke dropped a 37-34 to UConn despite 222 passing yards and three touchdowns from Darian Mensah. The Blue Devils own one of the ACC’s most explosive passing attacks, averaging 312.9 yards per game, which isn fourth-best nationally.
Their challenge has been on the other side of the ball. Duke’s defense ranks outside the top 100 in overall yards allowed, third-down stops and red-zone efficiency, leaving the Blue Devils vulnerable against substantial drives.
That’s where Virginia may find its advantage. The Cavaliers rank 22nd nationally in third-down conversions and hold a plus-five turnover margin, while Duke sits near the bottom of the FBS in penalty yards and time of possession.
The matchup could be decided on whether Virginia’s defense can limit Mensah and force Duke into long-yardage situations. In a crowded ACC race, the winner stays firmly in the hunt for Charlotte and the loser likely sees its title hopes fade instantly.
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Duke hosts UVA on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2).