Can Duke Get Back on Track Against Virginia This Week?

The Duke Blue Devils will enter this coming week having lost two straight games to Georgia Tech and North Carolina.

After a strong start to the season, Duke has fallen down back to earth, with the team being given a reality check. But the Blue Devils still believe in themselves as they prepare to head on the road to face the Virginia Cavaliers.

Duke will be coming in with a record of 4-2 for the year, while Virginia is 4-3 on the season. Both teams have struggled in ACC play this season, giving the winner of this game some needed momentum for the year.

But for Duke, they want to stop the bleeding this week against the Cavaliers, getting back on track. Playing on the road in college football is never easy, no matter the team, and this game could be tricky for the Blue Devils.

Entering the contest, Duke is being given a slight advantage over Virginia, despite the game being played on the road. According to ESPN's game predictor, the Blue Devils have a 50.5 percent chance of grabbing the victory this week.

For the Blue Devils to get the win, the team is going to have to get back to basics this week. Against North Carolina, Duke was dealing with an injury that limited star running back Nate Sheppard, and this clearly impacted the outcome of the game.

Sheppard was held to just 77 yards against the Tar Heels, and this team needs him to put up more to win. For the year, the star back has rushed for 820 yards and eight touchdowns.

If Sheppard can shake off the injury more this week, it could help the Blue Devils get back on track against Virginia. The Cavaliers have allowed 152.7 yards per game on the ground, which ranks 88th in the nation.

Duke will need to take advantage of this in the game, giving them a much stronger chance to win. Sheppard has been an invaluable piece to the Blue Devils' offensive attack this season, and this team needs him to steady the ship.

Quarterback Walker Eget will need to play well again after throwing for 249 yards and a touchdown last week against the Tar Heels. If Eget can take care of the ball against Virginia, it would put Duke in a better position to win the game.

Kickoff between the Blue Devils and Cavaliers is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. PT/7:00 p.m. ET from Scott Stadium in Charlottesville.