Tigers vs Blue Devils NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
The No. 13 Clemson Tigers are set to travel to Durham, N.C. to take on the Duke Blue Devils in a nationally televised contest this weekend. Clemson is looking to win their fifth straight game in a row, while Duke is looking to bounce back from a disappointing showing against the No. 12 Florida State Seminoles.
No. 13 Clemson Tigers (7-1) vs. Duke Blue Devils (6-3)
Saturday November 3, 2012
Wallace Wade Stadium, DURHAM, N.C.
7:00 PM ET
Moneyline: Clemson -515, Duke +415 from GTBets.eu
Spread: Clemson -13.5
O/U: 65
Clemson Tigers
If it weren’t for a 49-37 loss to the Florida State Seminoles halfway through the year, the Clemson Tigers would be among the top candidates fighting for BCS title recognition. Offensively, this team is a top-10 squad who puts up 41 points per contest and averages 317.6 yards through the air. They know how to outscore their opponents, and a big reason for that is quarterback Tajh Boyd.
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Boyd has thrown for 2,336 yards and 20 touchdowns with just six interceptions on the year. The junior’s top target has been DeAndre Hopkins who has 58 receptions, 909 yards and 10 touchdowns. While the run hasn’t been as successful this season, running back Andre Ellington is going to be a player to watch in this contest. His speed-power combination is going to take the pressure off of Boyd in this one, which will help open up their dominant passing game late in the contest.
With the exception of the Florida State loss, the Tigers have done a good job limiting their opponents’ points this season. Duke is a middle-of-the-road offensive team, and if Clemson can hold them below their season average of 31.9 points, they’ll be in good shape come Saturday.
Duke Blue Devils
The Duke Blue Devils haven’t defeated a ranked opponent in nearly 20 years, and they have quite a challenge ahead of them if they’re going to make it happen this weekend. Duke’s 6-3 record is impressive at this point, but there is something to consider: when this team loses, they lose big. Their three loses haven’t even been close, and their only ranked opponents have outscored them 98-20 on the year. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The only way Duke stands a chance against Clemson is to slow down their offense. Tajh Boyd has been great all year, which is why Blue Devils cornerback Ross Cockrell will need to step up big. He is a top-5 player in passes intercepted this season, and if he can rattle the wideouts early, the team can utilize their home-field advantage late in the contest.
Not many people would have predicted that this matchup would have ACC implications at the beginning of the year, but a win at this point in the season will put either team in good position to win the division. Duke has a decent chance of making this a game early, but Clemson’s defense should wear down the Blue Devils by the time this one is done.
Duke may be in the hunt for an ACC title heading into their matchup with the Tigers, but don’t be surprised if the fizzle to starts to disappear with another loss come Saturday.
Trends
Tigers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 head-to-head meetings.
Favorite is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 head-to-head meetings.
Tigers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a S.U. win.
Tigers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win.
Over is 4-1 in Tigers last 5 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
Over is 4-0-1 in Blue Devils last 5 games overall.
O/U Pick: Over 65
Score Prediction: Clemson 42 – Duke 24
