Virginia @ Duke preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 31, 2009 ) Duke 28, Virginia 17

Virginia’s football fortunes have sunk in recent years at about the same time the leaves changed color and began falling to the ground in Charlottesville.

The Cavaliers enter Saturday’s ACC date at Duke riding high following last week’s stunning upset of nationally ranked Miami that snapped a dubious nine-game conference skid, but they are taking nothing for granted at this time of year.

And with good reason, too.

The Cavaliers (4-4, 1-3 ACC) have not finished strong in recent seasons. They've dropped their last 10 November games, dating back to a 48-0 win over Miami back on Nov. 10, 2007. Virginia lost all four of its November games in both 2008 and 2009.

But first-year coach Mike London is hoping to change things, starting this week against a dangerous Blue Devils (2-6, 0-4) team that has claimed its last two meetings against Virginia. The Cavs were impressive defensively in throttling the Hurricanes a week ago, forcing five interceptions in addition to knocking Miami quarterback Jacory Harris out of the game. Both junior cornerback Chase Minnifield and junior safety Corey Mosley each recorded two picks to help Virginia match the ACC-high for the season and the school’s single-game mark.

Minnifield, the son of former NFL defensive back Frank Minnifield, now has six interceptions on the season and is tied for the national lead.

Embattled quarterback Marc Verica has rewarded London for his decision to stick with him by playing well lately. In his team’s last two games, both wins, Verica has completed 64 percent (37 of 58) of his pass attempts for 379 yards and three touchdowns with just one interception.

He’ll need to continue avoiding the costly turnovers that have plagued him in the past if the Cavs hope to reverse their recent late-season fortunes.

Third-year coach David Cutcliffe has the Blue Devils more competitive than they had been in the recent years prior to his arrival. Last week, Duke held Navy’s vaunted spread-option attack in check enough for a 34-31 victory.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Sean Renfree completed 28 of 30 passes for 314 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for two scores to pace the Blue Devils. He will direct a Duke offense that ranks second in the ACC in passing offense (261.6 ypg.) against a Virginia pass defense that stands second in the league against the pass (178.4).

The Blue Devils lead the ACC and rank sixth nationally in red-zone offense, scoring on 25 of 27 (15 touchdowns and 10 field goals) possessions within an opponent’s 20-yard line.