Miami, FL

Staff predictions for Week 10 matchup between Duke and Miami

Published

1 year ago

October 31, 2024

Staff predictions for Week 10 matchup between Duke and Miami

The most intimidating and consequential matchup on the Duke football schedule has arrived.

The Duke Blue Devils, fresh off a heartbreaking overtime loss to the SMU Mustangs, hit the road for a Saturday afternoon game against the Miami Hurricanes. Head coach Manny Diaz came within a blocked kick on the final play of regulation from seven wins over his first eight games with the Blue Devils, and now he gets a chance at revenge against the program that fired him three years ago (although Diaz downplayed the idea of any remaining resentment during his Monday press conference).

While Duke’s defense leads the ACC in passing yards allowed, there hasn’t been a challenge like Miami yet because there isn’t a challenge like the Hurricanes to be found. Quarterback Cam Ward, a leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy, has thrown for 343.3 yards per game this season with 24 passing touchdowns, 3 rushing touchdowns, and five interceptions.

Do the Blue Devils have what it takes to slow down the superstar on his home turf? Here’s what our staff thinks.

Ryan Haley, Duke Wire staff editor

There’s clearly a path to getting ahead of schedule against the Hurricanes. Virginia Tech led the Hurricanes by 10 points with nine minutes to play. The California Golden Bears built a 35-10 lead deep into the second half. While Ward and his offense have crawled out of each hole, teams can only play with fire for so long.

However, the Hokies and Golden Bears are averaging 377.0 and 399.6 yards of offense against FBS opponents, respectively. The Blue Devils have only managed 334.0. Wide receiver Jordan Moore looks progressively healthier every week and the passing offense will get a major shot in the arm when he’s at full throttle, but we’re less than two weeks removed from Maalik Murphy throwing for 70 yards on 24 attempts against the Florida State Seminoles.

The Hurricanes, surprisingly, are second in the conference in yards allowed per pass attempt. While the optics of nearly beating SMU in regulation look great, six turnovers in a single game are a staggering and unrepeatable number even against Ward, who can occasionally struggle with ball security. I don’t think 21 points in regulation, even with two missed field goals, fully sold me on the problems being fixed.

Miami 38, Duke 17

Bryant Crews, Staff Writer

Duke fumbled an incredible opportunity last weekend to check even more boxes on an otherwise excellent season. The loss to SMU probably killed any fleeting hopes of making it to the ACC Championship game, and it also cost them a likely addition to the US LBM Coaches Poll.

Duke played outstanding defense (yet again) and forced SMU to make some big mistakes. Couple that with SMU’s blunders, and Duke had six turnovers and didn’t score on any of them. Before we proceed with the rest of this prediction, Jonathan Brewer’s job should be in question come December.

Duke will have to turn the page, prepare to make a trip to Miami, and take on a top-10 Miami team that looks destined for an ACC Championship game behind potential Heisman winner Cam Ward’s arm. He’s been surgical all season long, and he’s far and away the best quarterback Duke will see this year.

The Hurricanes have some terrific skill position talent, and their defense has multiple guys who will be playing on Sunday next year and in the future. It’s the best Miami team in quite some time, and Duke will not have the horses to win. The defense will be enough to give Miami fits for a half, but Duke’s lack of punch offensively will doom them in the second half.

Miami 34, Duke 16

Josiah Caswell, Staff Writer

This weekend, Duke will face the toughest team they’ve faced all year and the toughest they’ll face for the entire season as a whole. Miami has been a force this year, holding one of the best offenses in the nation led by Cam Ward.

The Blue Devils’ secondary and defense as a whole will need to play their best football. Simply put, Chandler Rivers and company will have their hands full.

The thing is, the Canes’ defense isn’t unstoppable. Whether it be through the air or on the ground, Miami’s defense has been susceptible to big plays. If Duke wants to win, they’ll need to avoid the Canes’ strong pass rush and string together big plays. If they can do it, it could be a four-quarter fight. If not? It could get ugly.

Miami 41, Duke 20

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Miami, FL

1 dead, 9 injured in 3-vehicle crash in southwest Miami-Dade

Published

6 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

1 dead, 9 injured in 3-vehicle crash in southwest Miami-Dade

Published: March 28, 2026 at 9:39 PM

WPLG WPLG

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A three-vehicle crash in southwest Miami-Dade triggered a large emergency response Saturday night, leaving 10 people injured, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.

MDFR units responded around 8:03 p.m. to the area of Southwest 28th Street and Southwest 107th Avenue after receiving reports of a massive crash.

Officials said 13 units arrived on scene and found a total of 10 adult patients.

Three people were taken to a local hospital with injuries. One of the passengers, a woman, was pronounced dead at the hospital.

No additional details have been released.

Pablo Hernandez

Pablo Hernandez is a Digital Journalist at WPLG. He was born in Cuba and has lived in Miami, Florida since 2002.

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Miami, FL

Mock Draft Roundup: Miami Defensive End Is Popular Pick For Lions

Published

18 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Mock Draft Roundup: Miami Defensive End Is Popular Pick For Lions

It’s time for the 13th Detroit Lions OnSI mock draft roundup for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Over the last week, the Lions have increasingly prioritized finding an EDGE to complement Aidan Hutchinson at No. 17 overall.

Let’s take a look now at who the draft pundits have Lions general manager Brad Holmes selecting in the first round.

Offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)

Mauigoa is presently being projected by the following:

Pro Football Network (Alec Elijah)

EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)

Mesidor is presently being mocked by the following:

A to Z Sports (Mike Payton; Lions trade down to No. 26 overall); NFL.com (Bucky Brooks); Pro Football Focus (Jordan Plocher); CBS Sports (Garrett Podell)

As Plocher pens, “The Lions are finally able to add a consistent pass-rush threat opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Only one time since Hutchinson has been in Detroit has another Lions defender topped 50 hurries in a season, and that was Al-Quadin Muhammad in 2025 (53), but he left in free agency.

Mesidor was one of the most productive pass rushers in college football in 2025, amassing 13 sacks, four quarterback hits and 50 hurries on 445 pass-rush snaps. He finished the 2025 season with a 94.2 PFF pass-rushing grade against true pass sets, the second-best mark in the draft class.”

EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)

Bain is presently being selected by the following:

FOX Sports (Joel Klatt)

As Klatt pens, “I think the Lions could really use another pass rusher, even if they already have Aidan Hutchinson. Putting Bain with Hutchinson would give Detroit two members on the All-Motor Team. They would wear offensive tackles out. How would opposing teams shift their protections? One of them would get a one-on-one matchup that they would win.”

Offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, Utah

Lomu is presently being selected by the following:

Pro Football Network (Jacob Infante); Pro Football Network (T.J. Randall)

As Infante explains, “Few expected the level of regression the Detroit Lions experienced in 2025. After the release of long-time starting left tackle Taylor Decker, they find themselves with a big hole along an offensive line that already took a step back after key departures the previous offseason.

Caleb Lomu is a smooth, polished left tackle who didn’t allow a single sack in 382 pass-blocking reps during the 2025 regular season. His hand timing, balance, and range in pass protection make him a top offensive tackle prospect and a worthy first-round selection in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft.”

Offensive tackle Monroe Freeling, Georgia

Freeling is currently being mocked by the following:

Detroit Lions On SI (Christian Booher); FOX Sports (Ben Arthur); Sports Illustrated (Daniel Flick)

As Flick writes, “The Lions released starting left tackle Taylor Decker and now need a replacement in the draft. Freeling, who’s risen from unheralded to likely first-round pick, is an athletic mover with plenty of bend and agility. He needs to keep getting stronger, but Freeling could be a tremendous blindside blocker at the next level.”

Offensive tackle Blake Miller, Clemson

Miller is presently being mocked by the following:

The Detroit News (Nolan Bianchi); NFL.com (Mike Band); The Draft Network (Jaime Eisner)

As Eisner opines, “The Taylor Decker era is over in Detroit and a new left tackle is needed. Enter Blake Miller, a name that is rising up draft boards as we inch closer to April. Miller has a phenomenal college resume with good size and a ton of power. He’s played mostly right tackle, but he should have no issues moving over to the left side if needed or sticking at right tackle with Penei Sewell moving over. Miller and Sewell can form a formidable bookend tandem in Detroit.”

Offensive tackle Spencer Fano, Utah

Fano is presently being selected by the following:

CBS Sports (Pete Prisco)

Offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

Proctor is presently being selected by the following:

ESPN (Field Yates); NFL.com (Charles Davis); USA Today (Google Gemini); CBS Sports (Josh Edwards); WalterFootball (Charlie Campbell)

As Yates opines, “Left tackle is a sizable need for Detroit with the departure of Taylor Decker after 10 seasons. Proctor is a sizable answer to the problem — literally — at 6-7, 352 pounds. He has power when he gets his hands on defenders in the running game as well.

Proctor’s tape had up-and-down moments during his final college season, as sometimes his foot quickness was overmatched by edge rushers. But the upside is immense for the 20-year-old left tackle, who started all 40 games he appeared in at Alabama.”

EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn

Faulk is currently being mocked by the following:

USA Today/Touchdown Wire (Alyssa Barbieri)

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Miami, FL

As Ultra Music Festival kicks off, Miami residents living nearby are expressing concerns about traffic, noise

Published

1 day ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

As Ultra Music Festival kicks off, Miami residents living nearby are expressing concerns about traffic, noise

As tens of thousands of electronic music fans descend on downtown Miami for the Ultra Music Festival this weekend, some residents living near Bayfront Park say the celebration comes at a cost they bear year after year.

Visitors from more than 100 countries are expected to attend the three-day festival. While organizers and city leaders tout the economic and cultural impact of the event, nearby residents say road closures, limited park access, and high noise levels disrupt daily life in an area that has grown increasingly residential.

“It’s kind of stressful, and it’s definitely an imposition,” said Laura Okamura, who lives along Biscayne Boulevard near the festival grounds. “The people who suffer the most are the people who live at 50 Biscayne.”

Newer residential towers now surround Bayfront Park, a shift neighbors say city leaders and festival organizers must account for as Ultra negotiates its next contract with Miami.

A Miami commissioner visited residents to hear their concerns

District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo visited Okamura’s building Friday night to hear concerns from residents firsthand. He said a public meeting scheduled for April 2 will allow surrounding neighbors to voice their grievances as the city considers the festival’s future.

“It seems doable,” Pardo said. “People really like this event. People in this building, people on the street, enjoy the event, but they also want to be heard. And they want to be sure their basic needs are met.”

Noise remains one of the biggest issues for nearby residents. Colby Leider, a sound engineer, said early-evening readings near the festival hovered between 80 and 85 decibels. Historically, neighbors say volumes increase as the night goes on.

“Eighty-five is a very important number in human hearing,” Leider said. “It’s the level above which exposure begins to potentially cause hearing loss.”

Residents say they want stricter noise controls and traffic mitigation plans written into Ultra’s new agreement with the city. They stress they are not pushing to cancel the festival, but want accommodations that reflect how downtown Miami has changed since Ultra began in the city.

“It’s about understanding how a neighborhood has grown and how an event that has existed for 26 years can harmonize over time,” Pardo said.

Okamura echoed that sentiment, saying neighbors are asking festival organizers to act responsibly. “We are not asking Ultra not to have the concert,” she said. “We are asking them to be a good neighbor. This is our home. This is where we live.”

Representatives from Ultra Music Festival and the Bayfront Park Management Trust are expected to attend the April 2 meeting at 6 p.m. to discuss potential changes to the festival’s contract with the city. The meeting will take place at Live Arts Lab Theater, building 1, room 1101. Ultra Music Festival runs through the weekend at Bayfront Park, with road closures and traffic expected throughout downtown Miami.

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