Duke vs. Alabama Total Pick
Is No. 2 Alabama set to put up a big offensive number on Duke when the two meet up Saturday at 3:30PM ET in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game from Atlanta?
Game Snapshot & Odds
183 Duke vs. 184 Alabama
Saturday, August 31, 2019
3:30PM ET – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
TV: ABC
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Alabama is the heavy favorite in this game, as the Crimson Tide are getting odds of -33.5 points against Duke. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 57 points. The public betting currently has 79 percent going on Alabama as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Duke hoping to not take a step back
Duke is coming off an 8-5 record in 2018 with a 3-5 mark in the ACC. It was David Cutcliffe’s 11th season as head coach of the Blue Devils. Duke was 7-6 against the spread and 7-6 with the over.
The Blue Devils lost a big piece of its team last year as Daniel Jones is now with the New York Giants. Duke most hope it has a capable QB to lead an offense that averaged 29.4 points and 405.7 yards per game. Quentin Harris saw limited action last season and threw for 437 yards and seven touchdowns. He has four starters back on the offensive line this year, as well as leading rusher Deon Jackson back. Jackson rushed for 847 yards and seven touchdowns in 2018. Defensively, Duke gave up 27.4 points and 408.8 yards per game. The Blue Devils have eight starters back this year, including four in the secondary and four on the defensive line.
Bama not the preseason favorite
After getting trounced in the College Football Playoff Championship last season, Alabama comes into this season as the No. 2 team in the polls. The Tide were 14-1 in the 2018 season while going 8-0 in the SEC. Nick Saban is in his 13th season as head coach of the Crimson Tide. Bama was 8-6 against the spread a year ago while going 9-4-1 with the over.
Alabama put up 37.9 points and 464.9 yards per game last season. Tua Tagovailoa led the team with 3,966 passing yards and 43 touchdowns despite playing in just the first half in a number of games. He is back to lead the offense this year. Just two starters are back on the line, but Bama is able to produce stud lineman with ease. Jerry Jeudy caught 68 passes for 1,315 yards and 14 touchdowns last season and is back to lead a deep group of receivers while Najee Harris will be the primary back. He rushed for 783 yards and four scores in 2018. Defensively, Bama gave up just 19.2 points and 314.3 yards per game last year. The Tide have six starters back this season.
College Football Betting Trends
Duke
The Blue Devils have hit the over in five straight games on a neutral field and in four of its last five against SEC opponents.
Alabama
Bama has hit the over in five of its last six non-conference games and the Tide are 21-6-2 with the over in their last 29 games on a neutral field.
Prediction:
Alabama should be coming into this game with a chip on its shoulder after it lost so badly to Clemson in the title game. It was probably a long offseason for the players and coaching staff. Duke doesn’t have the athletes to compete with Bama, so I expect the Tide to get up big quickly. The Tide should be able to push for 40-50 points. In garbage time, I think the Blue Devils will be able to take on some scoring to hit the over.
College Football Week 1 Prediction: Duke/Alabama Over 57