North Carolina Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

The Duke Blue Devils won one game in ACC play in 2016 and that came against the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Tar Heels will look to avenge a 28-27 road loss next season on September 23.

The Blue Devils had the 111th ranked scoring offense (23.3 ppg) and 66th ranked scoring defense (28.2 ppg) in the FBS last season. The defense allowed 414.7 yards per game, 11th in the ACC.  Somehow, the Tar Heels still found a way to lose. The Duke defense returns just five starters from last year’s squad, so a turnaround shouldn’t be expected.

The Blue Devils top two tacklers, linebackers Ben Humphreys and Joe Giles-Harris (107 tackles each), both return but there’s still inexperience everywhere else. Sophomores Tre Hornbuckle and Terrell Lucas take over the defensive end position looking to have breakout seasons.

On offense, they return seven starters including starting quarterback Daniel Jones. Jones threw for 240 passing yards and a touchdown in last year’s victory. His lone touchdown was the game-winner, though it came in the third quarter with 2:10 remaining.

The Tar Heels defense allowed 227 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in that game. They hope to close up the loose ends in 2017 with a victory over the Blue Devils.

Quarterback Mitch Trubisky did have 297 passing yards and three passing touchdowns but he also threw two interceptions. There’s no Trubisky this go round, so we’ll see how the offense fares.

Final: Duke 28, North Carolina 38 (3-1, 1-1 ACC)