A couple of schools that like to keep the ball on the ground, Head Coach Dabo Swinney and the No. 2 Clemson Tigers (-27) are set to host their in-conference rival Duke Blue Devils at Memorial Stadium. The matchup is scheduled to get underway at 7:00 p.m. ET and spectators can view the action live on ESPN.
Duke Blue Devils at Clemson Tigers Betting Preview
Clemson is the heavy favorite and is currently giving up 27 points to Duke. If the Blue Devils get out in front in the early stages it would create a nice live betting opportunity. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 57.5 points.
Both of these teams have been profitable this season as the Blue Devils have gained 1.1 units while the Tigers are ahead 5.0 units.
The flawless Blue Devils have gone 7-3 straight up (SU), including 3-3 SU against conference opponents. The Tigers are 10-0 SU overall and 7-0 SU in conference play.
The Blue Devils got their second W in as many tries after a 42-35 win over North Carolina last weekTheir defense allowed the Tar Heels to run for 315 yards on 37 rush attempts, including four rush TDs. Michael Carter torched the defense in that one with 148 rushing yards and a score on 18 attempts, along with 32 yards on eight catches. On the offensive side of the ball, Daniel Jones completed 31 passes for 361 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Deon Jackson (78 rushing yards on 17 attempts, one TD) and the signal-caller Jones (186 yards on 15 carries, one TD) led the running attack in the win. T.J. Rahming (nine receptions, 98 yards) and Johnathan Lloyd (five catches, 65 yards) shared the receiving duties.
The Clemson Tigers take the field this week after just earning a blowout 27-7 win over Boston College. The team’s defense held its territory in the victory, restricting the Eagles to just 104 passing yards and nine yards on the ground. Kobay White was a bright spot in the defeat, recording 65 yards and a score on four catches for Boston College. For Clemson, Trevor Lawrence completed 29-of-40 passes for 295 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Travis Etienne (78 yards on 11 rush attempts) led the ground game in the win as Hunter Renfrow (eight receptions, 80 yards) and Amari Rodgers (five catches, 73 yards) led the pass-catching corps.
Looking at offensive play-calling, each team sports a similar run-pass ratio on the season. Duke’s run the ball on 51.4 percent of its offensive possessions while Clemson has a rush percentage of 52.8. The Blue Devils have produced 174 rush yards/game (including 144 per game versus Atlantic Coast opponents) and have 16 touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Tigers are logging 252 rushing yards per game (263 in conference) and have 32 total rush TDs.
If 2018 results can translate to this game, then the Tigers ought to own the edge in all aspects of the ground game, as their backfield has logged 6.7 yards per carry while their defense is allowing a YPC of 2.1 to opponents. The Blue Devils have registered 4.7 yards per carry while allowing 5.0 YPC to opponents.
The Blue Devils offense has tallied 246 yards/contest through the air overall (271 per game against conference opposition) and has 25 passing scores so far. The Tigers have put up 275 pass yards per outing (269.0 in the ACC) and have 26 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Duke has allowed opponents to run for an average of 212 yards and throw for 194 yards per game. The Clemson defense has allowed 171.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 82.3 yards per game on the ground. The Tigers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.30 to opposing QBs, while the Blue Devils have given up a 5.74 ANY/A.
Offensively, Jones is up to 1,818 passing yards on the year, and has completed 63 percent of his 237 attempts with 16 passing scores and only five interceptions. He has a 7.04 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 4.68 over the past two games.
In the other huddle, Trevor Lawrence has connected on 144-of-216 passes for 1,785 yards, 17 TDs and three INTs. Lawrence’s ANY/A stands at 8.73 for the year and 6.00 across his last two games.
These two conference foes did not get a chance to face each other in 2017.
RELATED: Week 12 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free Pick: Duke Blue Devils vs. Clemson Tigers
SU Winner – Clemson, ATS Winner – Duke, O/U – Over
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
Both teams have lost seven fumbles this season.
The Clemson defense has registered 36 sacks on the year while Duke has just 19.
Duke has rushed for 6.4 yards per attempt across its last three contests and 6.4 over its last two.
Clemson has averaged 7.4 yards per carry over its last three outings and 9.3 over its past two.
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