Duke football vs. Louisville: Scouting report, prediction for Blue Devils-Cardinals

For the second week in a row, Duke football has a chance to play a nationally-ranked opponent on the road.

The 20th-ranked Blue Devils (5-2, 2-1 ACC) face No. 18 Louisville (6-1, 3-1) aiming to keep ACC Championship hopes alive with a big performance at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium (3:30 p.m., ESPN).

Duke saw quarterback Riley Leonard get injured and watched its defense falter in the fourth quarter of a 38-20 loss at Florida State. The Cardinals were off last week.

Here’s a look at some things to watch and a score prediction for Duke’s game at Louisville.

Duke football dealing with injuries to quarterback Riley Leonard, Myles Jones

Duke coach Mike Elko said earlier this week that quarterback Riley Leonard and cornerback Myles Jones are “day-to-day.” After rolling his right ankle against Notre Dame in late September, Leonard missed the NC State game and returned at Florida State. He re-injured the ankle in the second half and was pulled as a precaution. Leonard’s dual-threat ability changes Duke’s offense.

HOW TO WATCH: What channel is Duke football at Louisville? Time, TV schedule for Blue Devils-Cardinals

LEONARD'S STATUS: Duke football loses Riley Leonard to injury again and falls at Florida State

Jones, a Texas A&M transfer, has the highest coverage grade (90.6) on a team loaded with veteran experience in the defensive backfield. With Jones sidelined, Duke’s defense allowed a season-high 268 passing yards at FSU. Clearly, Leonard and Jones are two keys to Duke’s success.

More of Jaquez Moore for the Blue Devils

Veteran running back Jordan Waters has thrived as Duke’s leader in the backfield with nine rushing TDs through seven games. But the emergence of Jaquez Moore could help the Blue Devils become even more dangerous. Moore had a career-high 110 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown against FSU. Duke will need all hands on deck against a Louisville defense that has held its last three opponents to less than 100 rushing yards.

Louisville has never lost to Duke

The Cardinals are 3-0 in the all-time series against the Blue Devils, including a 62-22 win in 2021. Louisville rides an eight-game home winning streak into its latest meeting with Duke. In its last two losses to the Cards, Duke saw quarterbacks Malik Cunningham and Lamar Jackson pummel the Blue Devils. Current quarterback Jack Plummer leads the ACC with a 14.4 yards per completion average. If Duke is going to avoid an L at Louisville, it starts with bothering Plummer.

Duke vs. Louisville score prediction

Duke 26, Louisville 24: The Blue Devils let the fourth quarter get away from them at Florida State, but Duke’s defense is built to win a game like this on the road. I'll take Elko's bunch to get it done in a close one.

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Duke football vs. Louisville: Scouting report, prediction