Duke’s path through the ACC just got a little clearer, and the timing could not be better.
The Blue Devils are getting ready for NC State this week, but the bigger picture is already staring them in the face: a matchup with Miami next week that could carry major weight in the conference race. Duke is 6-2 and still has plenty on the line, including a shot at the ACC title.
Miami, meanwhile, took a hit that could ripple through the rest of the season. Star Malachi Toney suffered a high ankle sprain in practice on Wednesday and will have surgery, putting his availability against Duke in serious doubt. The usual recovery window for that kind of injury is four weeks, which would likely keep him out of the game.
That’s a big loss for the Hurricanes because Toney has been the engine of their offense. He has 73 catches for 1,027 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, and he has topped 100 all-purpose yards in six of eight games. Miami has moved him around in a variety of ways, and his explosiveness has been a huge part of what makes the attack so dangerous.
The injury comes just before Miami prepares to face Notre Dame, and it could carry real consequences beyond that one game. The Hurricanes are 8-0 and sitting atop the ACC, but a road loss to Notre Dame would shake up the conference picture and potentially give a team like Duke a real opening.
Duke still has work to do before it can even think about Miami. NC State is first, and then the Blue Devils will turn to the Hurricanes. They also have Wake Forest later in the year, another team sitting ahead of them in the standings.
Still, this is the kind of break that can change the feel of a season. Duke has been trying to climb back into the ACC race, and if it can keep winning, the door to the College Football Playoff is still there.
In Other News...
Florida Assistant Emerges In Rival Search That Could Divide Gators Fans
Florida States coaching search has already turned into one of the more interesting storylines in the state, and it has a name Gators fans know well. Buster Faulkner, Floridas offensive coordinator, has surfaced as an intriguing candidate after the Seminoles fired Mike Norvell, a reminder that his rise in coaching has put him on the radar beyond Gainesville. His background is rooted in offense, and that alone makes him a logical fit for a program looking to reset its identity.
For Florida fans, the possibility is awkward in the way rival business often is. Faulkner has not been a head coach before, but Florida States next hire will have to navigate more than just play-calling, with financial limitations and a major rebuild waiting for whoever takes over. If the Seminoles decide to push in that direction, it would create an unusual subplot in the rivalry and leave Gators supporters watching a familiar assistant through a very different lens. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Suddenly Has A Depth Problem Ahead Of Oklahoma
Floridas availability picture for Oklahoma took a hit this week, and the early report made the Gators depth concerns hard to miss. Seven players showed up on the initial list, including wide receiver Vernell Brown III as doubtful and four others already ruled out, leaving Florida to sort through its rotation with another SEC test looming.
Jon Sumrall also offered an update on Browns injury status, saying the receiver is still pushing to get back after a recent setback. The other notable absence is defensive lineman Jeramiah McCloud, who is suspended for conduct detrimental to the team and will have his status re-evaluated after the game, adding one more layer of uncertainty to a roster already running thin. [Read more 🡒]
Vernell Brown IIIs Return Just Became A Bigger Florida Concern
Floridas wide receiver picture took another hit this week with Vernell Brown III now listed as doubtful for the upcoming game against Oklahoma after a knee injury and a setback in practice. The Gators have already had to manage a busy availability report, and head coach Jon Sumrall made clear Browns situation is legitimate after a non-surgical procedure, pushing back on the social media chatter that had started to swirl around the injury.
Browns status matters because he has been part of the offensive conversation all season, and the timing only adds to the uncertainty heading into a tough matchup. Florida is also dealing with several other players listed out or questionable, including defensive lineman Jeramiah McCloud, who is suspended and will have his status reevaluated after the game, leaving the Gators with more moving parts than they would like this late in the week. [Read more 🡒]