Yes, Virginia Cavaliers, there is a Santa Claus, and this year he comes in the form of transfer quarterback Chandler Morris and a likely College Football Playoff bid.
All the Cavaliers need to do is beat the Duke Blue Devils for a second time this season, and they should enjoy the Playoff.
My Duke vs. Virginia predictions expect the Cavaliers and Morris to have a relatively easy go of it on Saturday night. Kickoff comes at 8pm ET on Saturday, December 5.
Our best Duke vs Virginia SGP for ACC Championship
If not for its own mistakes, Duke could be a genuine contender for an at-large bid into the Playoff. Frankly, the Blue Devils beat themselves four times among their five losses.
That exception came against Virginia, which underscores how much better the Cavaliers are than the Blue Devils. Despite Duke winning the turnover battle, returning an interception for a touchdown and largely playing mistake-free football, Virginia won, 34-17, in mid-November.
Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz may have made his reputation defensively, but Duke’s defense has been a liability this season.
It is at its worst against the pass, ranking No. 90 in expected points added (EPA) per dropback against, per CFB-graphs.com, and No. 125 in defensive dropback success rate.
It distinctly cost the Blue Devils in eight of their 11 games against FBS competition this season, something that Virginia did not exploit to maximum capacity in that relative rout even though Chandler Morris threw for 316 yards and two touchdowns on nine yards per attempt.
Morris should enjoy even more of a field day in the ACC title game, particularly if Duke reverts to its worst self and gifts Virginia a few extra possessions.
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