Duke @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 16, 2010 ) Miami 28, Duke 13

THE STORY: Miami quarterback Jacory Harris said he is tired of having to engineer comebacks. The Hurricanes likely won’t fall behind early this week, but it may not be a cakewalk either. Harris and the Hurricanes will try to bounce back from a tough loss with an eighth straight win over visiting Duke, which is coming off a near-upset of then-No. 15 Virginia Tech. Miami’s ACC Coastal Division title hopes took a big hit when the Hurricanes’ comeback fell short in a 28-21 loss to Virginia last Thursday night. The Hurricanes have outscored the Blue Devils 280-133 while winning seven of the eight alltime meetings.

TV: ESPN3.com. LINE: Miami -15.5

ABOUT MIAMI (4-4, 2-3 ACC): Harris, who is 10th in the nation in passing efficiency (161.78), has a reason to be fed up. The Hurricanes’ four losses have been by an average of 5.5 points, and they've trailed by double digits in each. Harris' favorite target is Tommy Streeter, who caught seven passes for a career-best 176 yards and two touchdowns against Virginia. One of the main reasons the Hurricanes fall behind is a rushing defense that ranks 82nd in the nation (182.9 ypg).

ABOUT DUKE (3-5, 1-3 ACC): The Blue Devils suffered a one-point loss to Wake Forest, then gave the Hokies all they could handle in a 14-10 loss last week. Duke’s 77th-ranked defense (403.1 ypg) is making strides, as they showed in holding down a talented Virginia Tech offense. QB Sean Renfree leads a solid passing attack (279.3 ypg), but Duke won't be able to take advantage of the Hurricanes’ leaky run defense. There are only 11 teams in the FBS averaging fewer rushing yards than the Blue Devils (100.0)

EXTRA POINTS

1. Streeter ranks third in the nation with an average of 21.6 yards per catch.

2. Harris was on the sidelines in the final seconds of last week loss with a sore shoulder, but is expected to be OK.

3. “I let the team down.” – Duke K Will Snyderwine, who missed three field goals against Virginia Tech.

PREDICTION: Miami 34, Duke 10 – Harris and Streeter help Miami get off to a fast start against the nation’s 97th-ranked pass defense.