In a battle featuring two schools that prefer to feature their running games, Head Coach David Cutcliffe and the Duke Blue Devils (+2) are gearing up to take on their in-conference rival Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (-2) at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field. This critical daytime game kicks off at 12:20 p.m. ET and interested parties can watch the action live on CHSS.
Duke Blue Devils vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Betting Preview
In this Saturday Atlantic Coast game, Georgia Tech has been tabbed as the favorite and is currently giving up 2 points. The Blue Devils are also receiving +100 moneyline odds while the Yellow Jackets are -120. Based on the way things are shaping up, this contest should have some live betting scenarios.
The line opened at -3, but has recently shifted.
The Blue Devils have gained 0.5 units so far and are 3-2 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U record of 3-2. The disappointing Yellow Jackets have lost 3.5 units this season. The team is 2-4 ATS and has an O/U record of 4-1.
The Blue Devils have gone 4-1 straight up (SU), including 0-1 SU against conference opponents. The Yellow Jackets are 3-3 SU overall and are also 1-2 SU in conference play.
The Blue Devils will try to bounce back after a 31-14 defeat to Virginia Tech on September 29 in which Daniel Jones completed 23 passes for 226 yards, along with one TD and an interception. Deon Jackson (only 34 yards on 15 rush attempts, one TD) and Brittain Brown (35 yards on 12 carries) led the ground attack while Johnathan Lloyd (eight receptions, 44 yards) and Chris Taylor (five catches, 58 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
Georgia Tech is coming off of a 66-31 win over Louisville. The team’s defense allowed the Cardinals to pass for 370 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 113 yards. Chatarius Atwell was a bright spot in the loss, recording 79 yards and two touchdowns on four catches for Louisville. As a group, the Yellow Jackets collectively completed one-of-two passes for 12 yards. TaQuon Marshall went one-for-two for 12 yards while Brad Stewart was -of- for yards. Marshall (175 yards on 23 rush attempts, two TDs) and Jordan Mason (78 yards on 13 carries, one TD) handled the running game as Brad Stewart (one receptions, 12 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Duke has run the ball on 58.8 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Georgia Tech has an overall rush percentage of 83.2 percent. The Blue Devils have run for 190 yards per game and have nine touchdowns on the ground this year. The Yellow Jackets are totaling 373 rush yards per game (336 in conference) and have 29 total rushing TDs.
The Blue Devils offensive scheme has averaged 217 yards through the air overall and has 12 passing TDs so far. The Yellow Jackets have recorded 97 pass yards per game (45.0 against ACC competition) and have three total pass scores.
Duke has let opponents run for an average of 123 yards and pass for 226 yards per game. The Georgia Tech defense has given up 234.2 yards per game to opposing passers and 143.0 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Blue Devils have given up an ANY/A of 5.79 to opposing QBs, while the Yellow Jackets are yielding an ANY/A of 5.73.
Passing-wise, Harris is up to 216 yards on the year. He’s completed 44 percent of his 36 attempts with three scores through the air and has yet to throw an interception. Harris has a 6.95 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 9.42 over the past two games.
The Blue Devils will likely try to maintain the clock by pounding the defense with their running backs. Brittain Brown (199 rush yards, one rush TD, zero receiving yards) and Deon Jackson (194 rush yards, three rush TDs, 47 receiving yards) have brought significant production to the Duke offensive scheme.
In the other huddle, TaQuon Marshall has completed 26-of-59 passes for 394 yards, two TDs and four INTs. Marshall’s ANY/A stands at a horrendous 3.34 for the season and 21.50 over his last two games.
The Yellow Jackets should also look to control the clock by turning to their backfield. In addition to Tobias Oliver (zero receiving yards), TaQuon Marshall (515 rush yards, seven rush TDs) and Jordan Mason (382 rush yards, two rush TDs) have seen a lot of touches recently.
These two schools faced off last year with the final result being a 43-20 win for Duke.
Betting Pick: Duke Blue Devils at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
SU Winner – Georgia Tech, ATS Winner – Georgia Tech
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Duke D has sacked opposing quarterbacks 10 times this season. Georgia Tech has registered eight sacks.
The Georgia Tech offense has lost five fumbles this season while the Duke offense has let two get away.
The Blue Devils offense has produced four pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Yellow Jackets have put up two such plays.
The Duke defense has allowed two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Georgia Tech has given up three such plays.
The Duke offense has created eight rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Georgia Tech has created 27 such runs.
The Blue Devils defense has allowed three rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Yellow Jackets have given up five such runs.
Georgia Tech was the underdog by 6 points in its previous game and the O/U going into it was 56.5. The over cashed and Georgia Tech covered in the 66-31 win over Louisville.
In its last three matches, Georgia Tech is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
In its last three games, Duke is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
Duke was favored by 7 points in its last game and the O/U going into it was 52. The under cashed and Duke did not cover in the 31-14 defeat to Virginia Tech.
Duke has produced 4.80575539568345 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.7 over its last two.
Georgia Tech has averaged 6.2 yards per carry over its last three outings and 8.0 over its last two.
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