Duke vs. Northwestern Prediction
Can the Northwestern Wildcats grind out another win when they welcome Duke to town for a non-conference game on Saturday at Noon ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Noon ET – Ryan Field
TV: ESPNU
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Northwestern is favored at home, as the Wildcats are getting odds of -3 points against Duke. The over/under total for the game is currently listed at 49 points. The public betting for this game currently has 80 percent going on Northwestern at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Football Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Duke tops Army
The Duke football team started its season with a 34-14 win over Army at home on Friday night. The Blue Devils have won and covered the spread in their last four games. They were a 14-point favorite against the Golden Knights and they went over the 46.5-point total in the victory.
Duke took a 17-0 lead into halftime against Army and then coasted in the second half. The Blue Devils weren’t overly dominant on either side of the ball. They had 381 yards of offense while giving up 365 yards on defense. Quarterback Daniel Jones threw for 197 yards and a touchdown on 13 of 17 passing. He also rushed for 43 yards and a score on 10 carries. Brittain Brown added 75 rushing yards on 11 carries.
Northwestern picks up road win
Northwestern opened the season on the road against Purdue and picked up a big 31-27 win over the Boilermakers. The Wildcats were a 1-point underdog coming in and went over the 51-point total. Northwestern has won nine straight dating back to last season, going 8-1 against the spread in this win streak.
The Wildcats never trailed at Purdue, establishing a 14-0 lead and a 31-17 edge before holding off Purdue late. The Wildcats were aided by creating three turnovers, as they allowed 472 yards to Purdue while amassing just 401 of their own on offense. Jeremy Larkin rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns to lead Northwestern in the win while Clayton Thorson threw for 172 yards on 16 of 26 passing.
College Football Betting Trends
Duke
The Blue Devils have covered the spread in 21 of their last 28 non-conference games and five of their last six in September.
Northwestern
The Wildcats have covered the spread in six of their last seven games against ACC teams and in four of their last five home games.
Prediction:
Duke got the nod last year, 41-17 at home, but the Wildcats had won three straight prior to that. I really like Pat Fitzgerald and what he has done with Northwestern. The Wildcats are a team that can grind out games on either side of the ball and know how to win in the fourth quarter. Duke has struggled with the good teams over the last year and I think the Blue Devils won’t be able to match up well on the road here. Northwestern is rolling as a program and should ride the momentum from the win at Purdue to a win and cover at home.
College Football Prediction: Northwestern -3