The No. 22 Blue Devils of Duke (-6) are prepared to welcome their conference foe Virginia Tech Hokies to Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium. The matchup is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch it live by tuning in to ESPN2.
Virginia Tech Hokies at Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview
Virginia Tech is a live dog and is currently getting 6 points in this Saturday ACC game. The Hokies are also receiving +190 moneyline odds while the Blue Devils are -240. There should be some good live betting opportunities for this matchup.
This game’s line initially opened at -2 but sharp bettors are siding with the Blue Devils.
Both of these teams have been profitable this year as the Hokies have gained 2.5 units and the Blue Devils are up 3.5 units.
The Hokies are 2-1 straight up (SU), including 1-0 SU against ACC opponents. The Blue Devils are 4-0 SU overall and are also 0-0 SU in conference play.
The Hokies fell to Old Dominion 49-35 in a matchup where their defense allowed the Monarchs to pass for 495 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 137 yards and three scores. Travis Fulgham was unmatched for the Monarchs in that one with 188 yards and a score on nine catches. Offensively, the Hokies completed 17-of-34 passes for 282 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Ryan Willis went nine-for-18 for 131 yards and one touchdown while Josh Jackson completed eight-of-16 for 151 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Steven Peoples (156 rushing yards on 20 attempts, two TDs) and Deshawn McClease (75 yards on 12 carries) provided the ground attack in the loss while Damon Hazelton (five receptions, 154 yards, one TD) and Hezekiah Grimsley (three catches, 31 yards) shared the receiving duties.
Duke is coming off of a 55-13 win over North Carolina Central. The defensive unit allowed the Eagles to rush for 136 yards on 34 attempts, along with one rushing TD. Isaiah Totten had a productive showing in the loss, recording 88 rushing yards and a score on 12 attempts for North Carolina Central. As a group, the Blue Devils collectively completed 20-of-39 passes for 256 yards and four touchdowns. Quentin Harris went 15-for-27 for 202 yards and three touchdowns while Chris Katrenick was five-of-12 for 54 yards and one touchdown. Marvin Hubbard III (96 rushing yards on 20 attempts) and Brittain Brown (118 yards on 13 carries, one TD) handled the ground game in the win as T.J. Rahming (four receptions, 27 yards) and Chris Taylor (three catches, 32 yards) led the receiving corps.
Breaking down the offensive play-calling, each of these squads has a remarkably similar (62-38) run-pass ratio on the season. The Hokies have produced 245 rush yards per game and have nine touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Blue Devils are averaging 220 rushing yards per game and have eight total rush TDs.
If the numbers so far this season can translate to this game, then it appears the Hokies should own the edge when it comes to RB efficiency. Their backfield has generated 5.4 yards per carry while their defense is allowing 2.9 YPC to opponents. The Blue Devils have tallied 5.0 yards per carry and given up a YPC of 3.7 to opponents.
The Hokies offense has averaged 257 yards through the air overall and has six passing scores so far. The Blue Devils have recorded 208 pass yards per outing and have 11 total pass TDs.
Virginia Tech has allowed opponents to run for an average of 88 yards and pass for 320 yards per game. The Duke defense has given up 200.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 133.3 yards per game to opposing runners. The Blue Devils are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.36 to opponents, while the Hokies have given up a 7.02 ANY/A.
Offensively, Jackson is up to 358 passing yards on the year, and has connected on 24-of-42 attempts with four passing scores and one interception. He’s got a 7.35 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 10.37 over the last two games.
Damon Hazelton (176 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns this season), Steven Peoples (200 rush yards, two rush TDs, 0 receiving yards) and Hezekiah Grimsley (59 receiving yards) have all played significant roles lately.
Quentin Harris has connected on 17-of-29 passes for 214 yards, three TDs and zero INTs for Duke. His ANY/A sits at 8.45 for the season and 8.70 over his past two outings.
We’re looking for the Blue Devils to control tempo by pounding the defense with their running backs. T.J. Rahming (103 receiving yards, one TD this season) has chipped in lately, but Brittain Brown (227 rush yards, two rush TDs, 44 receiving yards, one receiving TD) and Deon Jackson (140 rush yards, two rush TDs) have been focal points in the Duke offense.
These two squads met a year ago with the final result being a 24-3 win for Virginia Tech.
NCAA Prediction: Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Duke Blue Devils
SU Winner – Duke, ATS Winner – Duke
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
Virginia Tech was the underdog by 28 points in its last game and the O/U was set at 52.5. The over cashed and Virginia Tech covered in the 49-35 loss to Old Dominion.
Virginia Tech has rushed for 6.6 yards per carry over its past two contests.
Duke has averaged 5.8 YPC over its last two.
Duke has lost two fumbles this season while Virginia Tech has lost one.
In its last three contests, Virginia Tech is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
Duke was favored by 45 points in its last matchup and the Over/Under going into it was 55.5. The over cashed and Duke failed to cover in the 55-13 win over North Carolina Central.
In its last three matches, Duke is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Hokies offense has recorded two pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Blue Devils have put up four such plays.
The Virginia Tech defense has allowed three pass plays of 40+ yards, while Duke has given up one such play.
Both teams have produced eight rushing plays of 20 or more yards. The Virginia Tech offense has recorded 23 running plays of 10+ yards while Duke has accounted for 28 such plays.
Both teams have allowed three rushing plays of 20 yards or more. The Hokies have given up nine running plays of 10+ yards while the Blue Devils have given up 13 such plays.
Each team defense has produced nine sacks this year.
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