Beats’ picks: Will Duke football take back Victory Bell from North Carolina?

Earlier than each recreation this season, our soccer beat writers predict whether or not the Blue Devils will decide up a win of their weekly matchup and preserve observe of their information all year long. After a crushing loss in time beyond regulation at Georgia Tech, Duke now will get a shot in opposition to its fiercest rival, North Carolina, at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Jonathan Levitan: North Carolina 30-26

Whatever the consequence at Georgia Tech, Duke is in the identical class as North Carolina. Six weeks in the past, that alone may need appeared an accomplishment for the Blue Devils, however expectations have modified in Durham. Two wins away from bowl eligibility, there’s a clear sense of urgency heading into Saturday.

To beat this season’s Tar Heels, you must be prepared for a shootout, and I can’t say with whole confidence that the Blue Devils—who’re banged up on the operating again, large receiver and guard positions—will be capable of punish North Carolina’s leaky protection as they may in any other case. With some red-zone struggles and an actual problem in freshman quarterback Drake Maye, it appears to me as if the Victory Bell is staying put.

Micah Hurewitz: North Carolina 42-21

This has all of the makings of a shootout with the pleasant quarterback play from every of the Tobacco Highway rivals. Maye has launched himself into the higher echelon of the Heisman Trophy dialog and has his crew at 5-1 regardless of a number of shut calls in every of its street journeys in opposition to Appalachian State, Georgia State and Miami. Regardless, Duke enters this week with a number of star offensive gamers banged up and should not be capable of string collectively the methodical drives it has confirmed able to this season, however once more, it’s the dreadful North Carolina protection the Blue Devils are up in opposition to. Though Duke will look to rebound from its ice-cold begin in opposition to Georgia Tech and produce some magic to Wallace Wade Stadium, head coach Mack Brown’s squad is on the town with the Victory Bell already painted their shade of blue and a visit to a bowl recreation on the road.

Sasha Richie: North Carolina 34-28

The Victory Bell could have to remain in Chapel Hill for yet another yr. For as a lot progress because the Blue Devils have made, North Carolina stays a formidable if not insurmountable opponent. Maye leads just about each quarterback stat, and albeit, Duke followers must face the music that the Tar Heels will rating a variety of factors Saturday. Nonetheless, by the identical token, Duke has made sufficient progress to additionally put up a variety of factors in opposition to a paltry North Carolina protection, simply barely fewer than its opponent. The Tar Heels have doubtless progressed previous the times of giving up three-plus touchdowns to mid-major and FCS groups, however they nonetheless let Miami’s Tyler Van Dyke throw for simply wanting 500 yards final weekend and gave up virtually as many yards of whole offense to the Hurricanes as Bethune-Cookman did. Even when they’ve improved, the Tar Heels nonetheless have some obvious holes that Duke can exploit to make this one nearer than one may anticipate.

Franck Djidjeu: Duke 41-38

For the primary time in ages, the Duke-North Carolina rivalry soccer recreation is one to rise up for. These traditionally dominant basketball faculties are available in a mixed 9-3, top-two in win proportion among the many ACC Coastal Division. So, past the cross-town rivalry, this may very well be an important recreation of the season in figuring out who represents the division within the ACC championship recreation. The Tar Heels have an intimidating offense that ranks first within the convention and their energy within the air is Duke’s Achilles heel on protection. Nonetheless, in addition they have the ACC’s worst-ranked protection and face a Duke crew able to stringing collectively spectacular runs, notably at residence–the place they’re undefeated and common 39 factors per recreation. Anticipate this to be a shootout by which the rising depth of Wallace Wade could make the distinction and assist Duke finish the night time celebrating its most monumental win in years. 

Season information:

Levitan: 3-3

Hurewitz: 4-2

Richie: 3-3

Lengthy: 4-2

Kaplan: 4-2

Djidjeu: 3-3

Andrew Lengthy
| Blue Zone editor

Andrew Lengthy is a Trinity sophomore and Blue Zone editor of The Chronicle’s 118th quantity.