Miami @ Duke preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 5, 2011 ) Duke 14, Miami 49

After Miami became bowl eligible with a 40-9 rout of South Florida last week, it appeared the Hurricanes would win the ACC Coastal Division and a trip to the conference title game with a victory at Duke on Saturday. But the school announced Monday it was self-imposing its second straight postseason ban with the hope the NCAA will lessen the penalties as it investigates Miami's compliance practices. Duke has no such problems. The Blue Devils are expected to play in their first bowl game since 1995. They have lost three straight, though, and have allowed nearly 49 points per game during that span. Duke has lost eight straight to Miami.

TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network. LINE: Miami -6.5

ABOUT MIAMI (6-5, 4-3 ACC): The Hurricanes have won two of their last three games and averaged nearly 37 points during that span as they suddenly face their season finale. Junior quarterback Stephen Morris leads the country's No. 30 passing attack with a 58.1 completion rate and 18 touchdowns - three last week - against seven interceptions. Freshman Duke Johnson has 771 rushing yards and seven touchdowns - both team highs - while Morris' top target is sophomore Phillip Dorsett, who averges 14.2 yards on his 53 receptions and shares the team lead with four touchdown catches. The Hurricanes' defense, though, is struggling, ranking 112th among the 120 FBS teams in yards allowed and 115th against the run.

ABOUT DUKE (6-5, 3-4): The Blue Devils started the season 5-1 before their 101st-ranked scoring defense (33.5 points per game) caved in. Duke has lost four of its last five games, including a 42-24 loss at Georgia Tech last week which eliminated the Blue Devils from division title contention. Duke has yielded 43.4 points per game during that span and was outscored by Florida State and Clemson 104-27. Miami's offense isn't quite as potent as the nationally ranked Seminoles or Tigers, and the Hurricanes' players could suffer a letdown with the news of their season ending prematurely. Senior quarterback Sean Renfree has completed 67.3 percent of his passes, with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The bowl schedule reveals eight spots reserved for ACC teams. With North Carolina and Miami ineligible, the league may have as few as six eligible teams unless Wake Forest and Virginia win their sixth games of the season this week.

2. Duke has played 67 straight games without missing a PAT, the longest streak in the nation. Freshman Ross Martin is 38-for-38.

3. Renfree earlier this week won the Pop Warner National College Football Award, given to a Pop Warner alumnus who has made a difference in the classroom, the community and on the field.

PREDICTION: Duke 45, Miami 44