The game between No. 5 Miami and visiting Duke on Saturday afternoon feels a bit personal.
That’s because of the presence of Manny Diaz, a Miami native who is in his first season as the Blue Devils’ head coach.
Diaz was the Hurricanes’ defensive coordinator (2016-18) and their head coach (2019-21). Current Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal got a 10-year, $80 million from Miami after Diaz got fired.
That’s just one of the subplots of this Atlantic Coast Conference game in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Miami (8-0, 4-0), which is off to its best start since going 10-0 to begin 2017, is powered by an explosive offense and enters the game as a big favorite.
The Hurricanes rank No. 1 in the nation in average points scored (46.8) and third-down-conversion percentage (59.8).
Miami quarterback Cam Ward is second nationally in passing touchdowns (24) and third in passing yards per game (343.3).
But it’s not just Ward.
Miami’s Xavier Restrepo ranks second in the ACC in receiving yards (710). For his career, he is second in Hurricanes history with 174 catches and third with 2,427 receiving yards. He moved past ex-NFL stars Reggie Wayne and Michael Irvin, respectively, in those categories. Both career records are in sight.
At running back, Miami relies on starter Mark Fletcher Jr., Damien Martinez and Ajay Allen, who has the speed and moves to break tired defenses.
Last week, in a 36-14 win over Florida State, the 232-pound Martinez bruised his way to 148 rushing yards, a 9.9-yard average and two touchdowns.
“Damien’s a tough dude who’s hard to bring down,” Cristobal said. “You’re not going to arm-tackle him.”
However, Duke’s strength is on defense, where it ranks second in the ACC in average points allowed (18.6). Nationally, the Blue Devils are tied with Alabama for 20th place in that category.
The Blue Devils (6-2, 2-2) also are No. 1 in the nation in fumbles recovered (10).
The other interesting matchup on Saturday is Miami’s vulnerable defense — which has allowed 34 or more points in three of its past four games — against a shaky Duke offense that ranks tied for 14th in the league in scoring (26.0).
Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy spent his first two college seasons with the Texas Longhorns, and he appeared in seven games (two starts) in relief of QB Quinn Ewers, completing 40 of 71 passes for 477 yards and three touchdowns, with three interceptions.
This season, the 6-foot-5 redshirt sophomore has completed 58.6 percent of his passes for 17 TDs, with five interceptions.
Murphy’s top playmakers are running back Star Thomas and a pair of wide receivers who could give Miami trouble: Eli Pancol and Jordan Moore.
Thomas has 785 scrimmage yards and six TDs. Pancol has 36 receptions, 446 yards and six TDs. And Moore has 34 catches, 481 yards and four TDs.
As for Diaz, 50, he isn’t billing it as a “revenge” game
.
“Revenge is a poor motivation,” he said when asked about facing the Hurricanes. “I learned a lot at Miami. Ultimately, it wasn’t enough, but that’s OK.
“I will say that the ACC schedule-makers have a heck of a sense of humor.”
