Duke vs. Alabama Prediction
Will No. 2 Alabama put a beat down on the Duke Blue Devils when the two meet up today at 3:30PM ET in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game?
Game Snapshot & Odds
183 Duke vs. 184 Alabama
Saturday, August 31, 2019
3:30PM ET – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
TV: ABC
Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new NCAAF Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Alabama is the heavy favorite in this game, as the Crimson Tide are getting odds of -32.5 points against Duke. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 56.5 points. The public betting currently has 73 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.
Bad taste in Bama’s mouth
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.
Duke hoping to compete
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.
College Football Betting Trends
Alabama
Alabama is 7-3 against the spread in its last 10 games against ACC opponents and 1-4 in their last five at a neutral site.
Duke
The Blue Devils have covered in five straight games on a neutral field and are 35-16-1 ATS in their last 52 non-conference games.
Prediction:
The trends may not entirely support Alabama, but I see the Crimson Tide absolutely running over Duke today. Bama has the tools and it has the motivation. The last image everyone saw was Alabama getting beat down by Clemson in the national title game. That has been stuck with the Bama players and coaches for eight months. They will be eager to remind the nation of who they are today. Go Bama minus the points.
College Football Week 1 Prediction: Alabama -32.5
Related: Duke vs. Alabama Total Prediction