Two schools that like to run the football, Head Coach David Cutcliffe and the Duke Blue Devils (-2.5) are set to pay a visit to their ACC foe Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field. This Saturday afternoon game will commence at 3:30 p.m. ET and CHSS has the TV rights.
Duke Blue Devils vs. Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Preview
Pittsburgh is the underdog in this ACC game and is currently getting 2.5 points. The Blue Devils are also receiving -140 moneyline odds while the Panthers are +120. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 47 points. Multiple good live betting possibilities could be unveiled during the contest.
The Blue Devils have lost 1.3 units so far in 2018 and are 4-3 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 3-4. The Panthers have lost 0.7 units this season. The team is 3-4 ATS and has an even O/U record of 3-3.
The Blue Devils have gone 5-2 straight up (SU), including 1-2 SU against ACC opponents. The Panthers are 3-4 SU overall and 2-1 SU in conference play.
The Blue Devils fell to Virginia 28-14 in a contest where the passing game left much to be desired as Daniel Jones completed only 22-of-40 passes for 240 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Jones (37 rushing yards on 15 attempts) also led the ground attack in the loss and was complemented by Deon Jackson (17 yards on 11 carries). T.J. Rahming (six receptions, 37 yards) and Chris Taylor (six catches, 97 yards, one TD) shared the receiving duties.
Pittsburgh just lost a 19-14 game to Notre Dame. The team’s defensive secondary let the Fighting Irish air it out for 264 yards and two touchdowns. Miles Boykin put up a productive outing, posting 84 yards on four catches for Notre Dame. For Pittsburgh, Kenny Pickett completed 19-of-28 passes for 126 yards. Qadree Ollison (50 yards on 16 rush attempts, one TD) and Darrin Hall (62 yards on nine carries) handled the ground game in the defeat as Rafael Araujo-Lopes (six receptions, 32 yards) and Aaron Mathews (four catches, 47 yards) led the receiving corps.
Duke has run the ball on 55.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Pittsburgh has a rush percentage of 60.6 percent. The Blue Devils have produced 158 rush yards per game (including 76 per game against Atlantic Coast opponents) and have 10 scores via handoffs this year. The Panthers are logging 191 rush yards per game (210 in conference) and have 13 total rushing TDs.
The Blue Devils offense has tallied 222 yards per game in the air overall (241 per game against conference opposition) and has 17 passing scores so far. The Panthers have recorded 146 pass yards per outing (169.3 in the ACC) and have six total pass TDs.
Duke seems to have an advantage in both defensive phases. The team’s allowed opponents to rush for an average of 146 yards and pass for 208 yards per game. The Pittsburgh defense has given up 229.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 180.1 yards per game on the ground. The Blue Devils are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.82 to opponents, while the Panthers have given up a 6.46 ANY/A.
Offensively, Jones is up to 855 passing yards this season, and has connected on 65 percent of his 114 attempts with six passing scores and three interceptions. Jones has a 6.31 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 4.56 over the last two outings.
Deon Jackson, T.J. Rahming and Chris Taylor have collectively accounted for 391 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns over the last two outings.
On the other sideline, Kenny Pickett has managed to complete 95-of-150 passes for 869 yards, five TDs and four INTs. Pickett’s ANY/A sits at a mediocre 4.30 for the season and 3.85 over his past two games.
We’re expecting the Panthers to control tempo by putting the ball into the hands of their running backs. Rafael Araujo-Lopes (135 receiving yards, two TDs this season) has contributed lately, but Qadree Ollison (454 rush yards, five rush TDs) and Darrin Hall (269 rush yards, two rush TDs) have really been key factors in the Panthers’ recent offensive strategies.
When these two teams met last year, Pittsburgh won by a touchdown 24-17.
RELATED: Week 9 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free Prediction: Duke Blue Devils at Pittsburgh Panthers
SU Winner – Duke, ATS Winner – Duke, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Trends
The Pittsburgh offense has lost six fumbles this season while Duke has lost four.
The Duke defense has 15 sacks on the year while Pittsburgh has 14.
As a team, Duke has produced 2.4 yards per carry over its last three outings and 2.6 over its last two.
Pittsburgh has averaged 4.5 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.9 over its last two.
In its last three games, Pittsburgh is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Duke’s previous game going into it was 45.5. The under cashed in the team’s 28-14 defeat to Virginia.
Over its last three matchups, Duke is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
The Over/Under for Pittsburgh’s last match going into it was 55.5. The under cashed in the team’s 19-14 defeat to Notre Dame.
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