The Virginia Cavaliers travel to Durham to take on the Duke Blue Devils on November 15, 2025, hoping to play spoiler and end their season on a positive note after another year marked by inconsistency and growing pains. Under head coach Tony Elliott, Virginia sits at 3-7, a record that reflects flashes of competitiveness mixed with long stretches of frustration. Offensively, the Cavaliers have shown moments of progress behind sophomore quarterback Anthony Colandrea, whose arm strength and athleticism give the offense a spark. Colandrea has thrown for more than 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns but has also committed 10 interceptions, a product of both youth and a lack of consistent pass protection. The offensive line has struggled all season, allowing steady pressure and limiting the ability to stretch the field vertically. Running back Perris Jones has been a bright spot since returning from injury, rushing for over 500 yards at an average of 4.7 yards per carry, providing some balance to an offense that averages just over 23 points per game. Wide receivers Malik Washington and Malachi Fields have been the driving forces in the passing game, combining for more than 1,500 yards and offering reliable targets who can move the chains. However, sustaining drives has been a recurring issue; Virginia converts only about 35% of its third-down attempts and struggles to finish possessions in the red zone, leading to missed scoring opportunities that have cost them several close games. Defensively, the Cavaliers have been unable to find consistency. They allow nearly 31 points per game and have struggled to stop the run, giving up close to 180 rushing yards per contest. The front seven, led by linebackers Kam Robinson and James Jackson, has talent but often wears down as the game progresses due to lack of depth and time of possession deficits.

Their pass rush, with just 17 sacks on the season, ranks near the bottom of the ACC, which could be problematic against a disciplined Duke offensive line that has allowed few pressures all year. In the secondary, cornerback Dre Walker and safety Jonas Sanker have shown improvement, but coverage breakdowns and missed tackles remain persistent problems. To stay competitive in this matchup, Virginia will need to play a nearly perfect game — control the ball, win the turnover battle, and limit Duke’s explosive plays. Offensively, Elliott will likely look to use short passes, screens, and quarterback rollouts to mitigate pressure and create manageable down-and-distance situations. Defensively, Virginia must prioritize stopping Duke’s ground game early, forcing quarterback Maalik Murphy into third-and-long scenarios where they can pressure him into mistakes. Special teams will also be critical; kicker Will Bettridge has been dependable, but inconsistent punting and coverage could put Virginia at a field-position disadvantage. Historically, Virginia has had difficulty on the road, covering the spread in just three of its last nine games, and that trend reflects their inability to finish games in hostile environments. Still, the Cavaliers are a scrappy, prideful group that plays hard even when outmatched. Their best hope lies in starting fast and catching Duke off guard with aggressive play-calling early, perhaps generating momentum through turnovers or special-teams plays. If Colandrea can protect the football and Washington and Fields can find openings in Duke’s disciplined secondary, Virginia could keep the game within reach for a half. However, the combination of Duke’s home-field advantage, superior defense, and offensive efficiency will likely wear the Cavaliers down over four quarters. Expect Virginia to compete with heart but ultimately fall short against a deeper, more polished opponent. Prediction: Duke 34, Virginia 17, as the Cavaliers’ effort isn’t enough to overcome their execution issues and defensive shortcomings.