Virginia @ Duke preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 12, 2011 ) Duke 21, Virginia 31

The quarterback position will be under the microscope more than usual Saturday when surging Duke plays host to struggling Virginia in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup. The visiting Cavaliers are expected to make a change under center, replacing incumbent Michael Rocco with Alabama transfer Phillip Sims as they look to snap a three-game losing streak. Duke, which is off to its best start since 1994, hopes quarterback Sean Renfree will be available after he was knocked out of last week's win at Wake Forest with an elbow injury. The Blue Devils have won three consecutive games and their 4-1 start is the best since the 1994 team opened with seven straight victories - which marked the last team the school has played in a bowl game.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, Regional Sports Network. LINE: Duke -2

ABOUT VIRGINIA (2-3, 0-1 ACC): The Cavaliers got off to a 2-0 start after rallying for a 17-16 victory over Penn State, but were stomped at Georgia Tech the following week and suffered their third straight loss last week when visiting Louisiana Tech ripped off 34 unanswered points in a 44-38 defeat. Hence the decision to go with Sims, who has played in the second half of all five games and nearly rallied Virginia last week by throwing for 166 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Sims, one of the nation's highest recruits in his senior season out of Chesapeake, Va., suffered an injury to his lower leg in the game, but coach Mike London said it was "more than likely" he will make the start against Duke.

ABOUT DUKE (4-1, 1-0): The status of Renfree, who owns the highest completion percentage (64.7) in school history, was to be announced Thursday. Anthony Boone is the backup for Renfree, who underwent an MRI exam on his elbow earlier in the week. Renfree has thrown for 1,282 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions to help Duke amass 185 points - its highest total in the first five games of a season since 1945. His favorite target is wideout Conner Vernon, who needs one reception to break the all-time ACC record of 232 held by Clemson's Aaron Kelly. The Blue Devils have been riddled by injuries on the defensive side of the ball, watching four players exit last week's 34-27 victory at Wake Forest, but the unit is second in the ACC with 2.8 sacks per game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Vernon has at least one reception in 40 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the nation.

2. Virginia snapped a three-game losing streak last season with a 31-21 victory over the Blue Devils, ending Duke's run of three straight wins in the series.

3. A victory Saturday would give Duke five wins in a season for only the third time since 1990.

PREDICTION: Duke 27, Virginia 26