North Carolina's Sam Howell is a Heisman Trophy candidate and the headliner of the Atlantic Coast Conference's class of experienced returning quarterbacks.

Duke suffered a 48-14 setback at Virginia and the Tar Heels finally succumbed in the sixth overtime 43-41 at Virginia Tech last week in the longest game in league history. Duke junior DE Victor Dimukeje has recorded all of his 6.5 sacks in the last three contests. North Carolina is 10-for-16 on field goals this season and Duke's junior K AJ Reed has made all eight of his attempts. The Tar Heels leads the all-time series 60-41-4, but the Blue Devils have won three in a row after a 42-35 triumph last year. PREDICTION: North Carolina 31, Duke 28More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Over its previous four games, the Blue Devils have strung together 24- (North Carolina A&T), 34- (Middle Tennessee State), 31- (Virginia Tech) and 27-straight (Pittsburgh) points. Virginia's defense is second in the nation with 27 sacks (4.5 per game), 13th in rushing defense (93.5 yards) and 11th in total defense (277.2). Virginia leads the all-time series 37-33 and has won four straight, holding Duke to 58 rush yards in last season's 28-14 victory. Cavaliers WR Joe Reed is one of only two players in the nation with 400 kick return yards and a return average of 33 yards in FBS this season. PREDICTION: Virginia 21, Duke 16More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Quentin Harris #18 of the Duke Blue Devils in the first half against Alabama at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Blue Devils were down 23 points with less than three minutes left against Pittsburgh last week but rallied to go ahead by four points. After scoring just three points against Alabama, the Blue Devils are averaging 40.3 points across their past four contests. Georgia Tech junior LB David Curry set a career high against North Carolina with 16 tackles, the most by a Georgia Tech defender since 2005. PREDICTION: Duke 37, Georgia Tech 17More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Defensive back Chamarri Conner #22 of the Virginia Tech Hokies celebrates his sack against the Furman Paladins in the first half at Lane Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Blacksburg, Virginia. Quentin Harris hopes to build off his record-setting performance as Duke opens ACC play at Virginia Tech on Friday night. "But it can also fuel your fire and desire to improve and find a way to play it well. Blue Devils QB Thomas Sirk matched Harris's output from last week, throwing four TD passes and running for 109 yards in a 45-43, four-overtime victory over the Hokies in 2015. PREDICTION: Virginia Tech 26, Duke 24More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Johnathan Lloyd #5 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates his touchdown with his teammates against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half on September 8, 2018 at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois. The Blue Devils and Blue Raiders have taken similar roads to get to this point with both suffering lopsided defeats to top 10 teams followed by blow out wins over FCS opponents. LINE: Duke -6.5The Blue Devils and Quentin Harris proved no match for No. The Blue Devils are 37-15 in non-conference games under Cutcliffe, including wins in 20 of their last 25 out of conference contests. PREDICTION: Middle Tennessee 27, Duke 24More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

ATLANTA - Second-ranked Alabama begins pursuit of its fifth consecutive College Football Playoff championship appearance when it faces Duke on Saturday in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta. The Crimson Tide lost to Clemson in last season's title game after winning two of the previous three national crowns. "We've always had a highly disciplined team, and our team was that way last year to a point for a while. Crimson Tide junior G Deonte Brown will miss the first four games due to an NCAA violation. PREDICTION: Alabama 58, Duke 20More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.