Duke @ Virginia preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 18, 2014 ) Virginia 13, Duke 20

A two-game losing streak ended any hope Virginia had of reaching a bowl game this season. The Cavaliers now look to end the campaign with back-to-back wins beginning on Saturday, when they host Duke in an ACC contest.

The Blue Devils are already bowl eligible but their postseason resume has taken a huge hit lately. Their stunning loss to Miami earlier in the month was the start of a three-game losing streak. Duke has surrendered at least 30 points for three straight weeks and starting quarterback Thomas Sirk missed last week's game against Pittsburgh with an upper-body injury. The Blue Devils also dismissed three players from the team on Tuesday for failing to meet program standards.

TV: 3:30 p.m.ET, ESPN3.

ABOUT DUKE (6-4, 3-3 ACC): Wide receiver Johnell Barnes, who is second on the team with 34 catches for 411 yards and two touchdowns, was the biggest name released on Tuesday. Sirk, who leads the team in rushing with 559 yards and has thrown for 1,979 yards, is questionable for Saturday's game. Sophomore Parker Boehme went 23-for-42 passing for 248 yards last week and rushed for 80 yards and a score in the Blue Devils' 31-13 loss to the Panthers.

ABOUT VIRGINIA (3-7, 2-4): The Cavaliers are 3-2 at home on the season with wins over FCS member William & Mary plus Syracuse and Georgia Tech, who are also both 3-7. Virginia is coming off back-to-back tight setbacks at Miami, where it led in the second half, and at Louisville, where it was tied in the fourth quarter. Virginia has struggled on both sides of the ball and ranks 95th in total offense and 97th in points allowed.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Duke defeated visiting Virginia 20-13 last season.

2. Virginia quarterback Matt Johns has thrown for 2,295 yards with 17 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

3. Virginia is guaranteed a losing season for the fourth straight year.

PREDICTION: Duke 30, Virginia 24