A couple of schools that boasted winning campaigns in 2018, the Duke Blue Devils will match up against the Crimson Tide of No. 2 Alabama at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. ABC has the TV rights and the game’s scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Duke Blue Devils
Duke is the noticeable underdog here and is currently receiving 35 points from oddsmakers. If the Blue Devils get ahead early it will create a decent betting scenario in-game. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 58 points.
This game’s total was placed initially at 60.5, but sharp bettors are siding with the under.
Against the spread (ATS) last year, the Blue Devils finished 7-6. The under cashed in six of those matchups while the over hit in seven. The Crimson Tide compiled a record of 8-7 ATS with an O/U record of 10-5.
Overall, the Blue Devils went 8-5 straight-up (SU) in 2018 while the Tide performed better with a 14-1 SU record last season. Against in-conference foes, the Blue Devils were 3-5 SU and the Crimson Tide were 8-0 SU versus Southeastern schools. Both teams posted a 4-0 record SU against out-of-conference opponents in 2018.
The Blue Devils logged 241.0 passing yards per game and 134.3 rushing yards per game versus their eight ACC opponents last year. They managed to score 22.0 points per game against those opponents and gave up 33.5 per contest. When playing non-conference squads, they averaged 37.5 points and 15.3 points-allowed, along with 207.8 pass yards per game and 219.5 rush yards per contest.
Against non-conference foes, the Tide passed for 332.3 yards per game and ran for 239.5 per game on their way to 53.5 points per outing. When facing just SEC opponents, the offensive unit recorded 46.8 points per game by averaging 332.0 passing yards and 189.1 rushing yards. The Crimson Tide defense allowed 13.0 PPG to non-conference foes and 14.1 to teams in conference in 2018
If the results from 2018 can translate to this year, then it seems like the Tide might hold an edge in all aspects of the ground game. Their running backs produced 5.2 yards per carry last season while their defense allowed 3.5 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Blue Devils tallied 4.3 yards per carry last year while allowing a YPC of 5.0 to opponents.
Duke Blue Devils vs. Alabama Crimson Tide NCAA Tip
SU Winner: Alabama, ATS Winner: Duke, O/U: Over
Team Betting Trends
- The Blue Devils offensive line gave up 30 sacks last season. Their defense created 24 sacks.
- The Crimson Tide offense gave up 15 sacks last season. Their defense got to opposing QBs on 45 occasions
- The Blue Devils created 19 rushing touchdowns last season.
- The Crimson Tide put up a whopping 33 rushing touchdowns last season.
- The Blue Devils converted 31 passing touchdowns last season.
- The Crimson Tide threw for 52 passing touchdowns last season.
