Two schools that prefer to run the football, Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall and the Virginia Cavaliers (+8) are gearing up to pay a visit to their conference counterpart Duke Blue Devils (-8) at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium. This vital afternoon matchup is scheduled to kick off at 12:30 p.m. ET and fans can catch it live by tuning in to CHSS.
Virginia Cavaliers vs. Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview
In this Saturday Atlantic Coast game, Duke has been projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 8 points. The Cavaliers are also receiving +250 moneyline odds while the Blue Devils are -330. It appears that there should be multiple decent in-game betting scenarios in this matchup, and oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 45.5 points.
This game’s opening line was -8. The over/under has yet to move since it was set initially at 45.5.
Both of these teams have been profitable this year as the Cavaliers have gained 3.2 units and the Blue Devils are up 1.4 units.
The Cavaliers are 4-2 straight up (SU), including 2-1 SU against conference opponents. The Blue Devils are 5-1 SU overall and 1-1 SU in conference play.
The Wahoos are coming off a 16-13 victory over Miami (FL) last week. The passing attack left much to be desired as Bryce Perkins completed 12 passes for just 92 yards and three interceptions. Perkins (61 rushing yards on 21 attempts) also led the ground attack in the win and was complemented by Jordan Ellis (86 yards on 18 carries, one TD). Hasise Dubois (four receptions, 32 yards) and Olamide Zaccheaus (three catches, 15 yards) handled the receiving duties.
Duke is coming off of a 28-14 win over Georgia Tech. The team’s defensive unit let the Yellow Jackets rush for 229 yards on 61 attempts, along with one rushing TD. Jerry Howard had a productive outing in the loss, posting 62 rushing yards and a score on 12 attempts for Georgia Tech. For Duke, Daniel Jones completed 17-of-27 passes for 206 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Deon Jackson (98 yards on 21 rush attempts, one TD) handled the ground attack in the win as T.J. Rahming (four receptions, 91 yards, one TD) and Aaron Young (three catches, 25 yards) led the pass-catching attack.
When breaking down offensive play-calling, each of these teams has a similar (58-42) run-pass ratio on the season. The Cavaliers have rushed for 183 yards per game (including 145 per game versus Atlantic Coast opponents) and have 10 scores via handoffs this year. The Blue Devils are logging 175 rushing yards per game (85 in conference) and have 10 total rush TDs.
If the numbers so far this season are any indication, then the Blue Devils ought to have the more disruptive lines up front. Their offensive line has allowed just 11 sacks while their D-line has logged 13 sacks. The Cavaliers O-line has given up 15 sacks and their defense has sacked opposing signal-callerss on just 11 occasions.
The Wahoos offense has averaged 204 yards in the air overall (182 per game against conference opposition) and has 11 passing scores so far. The Blue Devils have produced 216 pass yards per game (231.0 against ACC foes) and have 15 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Virginia has allowed 130 rush yards and 197 pass yards per game. The Duke defense has given up 209.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 140.5 yards per game on the ground. The Wahoos are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.87 to opposing QBs, while the Blue Devils have given up a 5.83 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Perkins is up to 959 yards on the year, and has completed 64 percent of his 123 attempts with nine passing scores and five interceptions. He has a 6.30 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 1.70 over the last two outings.
In the home locker room, Daniel Jones has completed 46-of-66 passes for 595 yards, seven TDs and one INT. Jones’ ANY/A sits at 9.01 for the year and 5.45 across his past two games.
These two squads faced off last year with the final outcome being a 28-21 win for Virginia.
RELATED: Week 8 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
NCAA Pick: Virginia Cavaliers at Duke Blue Devils
SU Winner – Virginia, ATS Winner – Virginia, O/U – Under
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
The Duke D has sacked opposing QBs 13 times this year. Virginia has produced 11 sacks.
Both teams have lost four fumbles this season.
The Cavaliers offense has recorded three pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Blue Devils have accounted for five such plays.
The Virginia defense has allowed one pass play of 40 yards or more, while Duke has given up two such plays.
The Virginia offense has created 10 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Duke has created eight such runs.
The Cavaliers defense has allowed six rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Blue Devils have given up four such runs.
The O/U for Duke’s last outing was set at 55.5. The under cashed in the team’s 28-14 victory over Georgia Tech.
In its last three matchups, Duke is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
In its last three matches, Virginia is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
Virginia has won four of its last five games SU, with a September 29th defeat to North Carolina State accounting for the only loss over that stretch.
The Over/Under for Virginia’s previous game was set at 47. The under cashed in the team’s 16-13 victory over Miami (FL).
Virginia has averaged 4.0 yards per carry across its past three games and 3.3 over its last two.
Duke has averaged 4.2 yards per carry over its last three contests and 2.4 over its past two.
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