After bouncing back with a last-second field goal to win against Wake Forest, Duke football will be looking to come out on top of a major rivalry matchup against a strong North Carolina squad. Let’s take a look at a key piece for both teams:
North Carolina: Cedric Gray
A key standout for the Tar Heels all season, the senior linebacker has been one of the best defensive players not just on the team but in the entire ACC. Gray has racked up a whopping 85 tackles this year, forcing two fumbles and recording 4.5 sacks. Against Virginia a few weeks ago, Gray picked up an absurd 18 tackles, including 11 solo.
Coming into a game against a group like Duke that will be missing its starting quarterback, Gray will be an important part of stopping what has been a potent Blue Devil rushing attack. While the defensive line and the play-calling will be important, it will be the linebacker who sits in the gaps and watches for running backs and scrambling quarterbacks. Gray will be key against Duke freshman quarterback Grayson Loftis, who is less mobile than the injured Riley Leonard and will be easier to pull down in the open field.
Gray has been strong against the running game all year, recording a total of 10 tackles for loss. Against the Blue Devils, a strong performance from him will be key in shutting down an already bruised and battered Duke offense.
Duke: Jordan Waters
On the other side of the ball for the Blue Devils, this game will be all about the running backs. With Loftis standing in the pocket instead of a star like Leonard, Duke will inevitably need to shift more to a rushing attack against the Tar Heels. Leading that charge will be graduate Jordan Waters — the team leader in carries with 101 attempts for a total of 564 yards. His season high was 123 yards against N.C. State, and he also shouldered a significant part of the running burden against Wake Forest. When the Demon Deacons came to town, he posted a season-high 18 attempts for 76 yards and a touchdown.
The matchup against Gray, in particular, will be one that decides the game. Waters is a well above-average back, but Gray is one of the best linebackers in the conference. While North Carolina's rushing defense allows 151 yards per game, it will be much easier to hone in on that side of the game knowing that Duke probably cannot throw the ball with consistency further than 20 yards down the field.
Ultimately, this game will boil down to how well the Blue Devils are able to run the ball, and how well the Tar Heels are able to stop that attack. If the Duke offensive line can create openings and space to run, then the visiting squad will have a chance. If North Carolina manages to close rank and shut down the ground game, then the Tar Heels will be in prime position to take another Victory Bell.
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