Virginia Tech Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

The Duke Blue Devils were a 4-8 team that went 1-7 in ACC play in 2016. They weren’t exactly the best team on either side of the ball but offense remains to be where they lack a big-play threat.

Quarterback Daniel Jones didn’t fare too poorly serving as a first-year starter when the team lost Thomas Sirk early in the season. Jones threw for 2,836 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns and nine interceptions in 12 games.

He also ran for 486 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns as a dual-threat guy. However, after gaining a year of experience, the receiving corps should provide Jones a bit of relief. T.J. Rahming caught a team-high 70 receptions for 742 receiving yards and a touchdown last season. Anthony Nash and Johnathan Lloyd are also two other names to watch for here.

Out of the backfield, Shaun Wilson should continue to get the bulk of the carries. He ran for 623 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 151 attempts.

Duke doesn’t have much experience returning on the defensive line. Past that, their top tacklers in linebackers Ben Humphreys and Joe Giles-Harris. Other than that, their defense will need players step up, which usually happens when they face the Hokies.

The Blue Devils have defeated the Hokies in their last two visits to Blacksburg in 2013 and 2015. The Hokies have managed to escape on the road by a combined four points in their past visits as well. Duke continues to improve in the ACC, expect them to give Virginia Tech all they can handle.

Final: Duke, Virginia Tech (7-1, 3-1 ACC)