Northwestern at Duke College Football Picks & Predictions 9/9/2017

Saturday, September 9, 2017

Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium is the venue for the game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday, September 9, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Northwestern as 2 point favorites. The total has been set at 53. The Blue Devils are 1-0-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 1-0-0. The Wildcats are 0-1-0 ATS and their over/under record is 0-1-0.

Valuable Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends

The Northwestern Wildcats are 0-1-0 against the over/under

The Northwestern Wildcats are 0-1-0 against the spread

Important Duke Blue Devils Betting Trends

The Duke Blue Devils are 1-0-0 against the over/under

The Duke Blue Devils are 1-0-0 against the spread

Key Northwestern Wildcats Injuries

09/03/17 DB Brian Bullock Leg injured last game, "?" Saturday vs. Duke
09/03/17 CB Keith Watkins II Knee out for season
09/03/17 DB Marcus McShepard Arm injured last game, "?" Saturday vs. Duke
09/03/17 DB Roderick Campbell Undisclosed "?" Saturday vs. Duke
09/02/17 DB Alonzo Mayo Undisclosed "?" Saturday vs. Duke
08/31/17 DE Xavier Washington Suspension out indefinitely
08/23/17 DT Jake Saunders Undisclosed out for season
08/23/17 WR Solomon Vault Lower Body out for season
08/23/17 DB Trae Williams Achilles out indefinitely

Key Duke Blue Devils Injuries

No key injuries to report

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Northwestern Wildcats have run for 156 yards as a unit, which ranks 69th in the nation. They've run 50 times, averaging 3.1 yards per rush as a unit. The Wildcats have been penalized on offense 8 times for 90 yards so far this year, which has them 40th in the country in penalties. They are 65th in Division 1 in points scored with 31. They have run 88 plays this year for 508 yards, which ranks them 27th in the nation in total offense. The Wildcats average 5.8 yards per play, which is 60th in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 27 1st downs this season, ranking them 28th overall as an offensive unit. Clayton Thorson has completed 28 throws while attempting 38 passes for a completion percentage of 73.7%. He has passed for 352 yards this year. He averages 9.1 adjusted yards per throw and 9.3 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating this season is 163.6.

Defensive Statistics

The Wildcats rush defense has given up 26 attempts for 142 yards this season, putting them in 75th place in the country against the run. They have had 6 penalties for 65 yards on defense this year. That places them 80th in Division 1. Northwestern is 59th in college football in points surrendered on defense with 20. They have given up a total of 341 yards on D, which is 56th in the nation. The Wildcats are 77th in yards per play allowed with 5.4. Opponent offenses have completed 16 throws on 37 attempts against the Northwestern Wildcats defense this season, ranking them 49th and 87th in the country. The Northwestern pass defense has also surrendered a total of 199 yards in the air, which is 57th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

Northwestern Wildcats kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 4 for 4 this season. Their punters have accumulated 143 yards on 3 punts, averaging 48 yards per punt. That ranks them 22nd in the NCAA in punting average. They have returned 3 kicks for 49 yards on special teams, which puts them 68th in kick return yardage. The Wildcats average 16 yards per kick return and they are 55th in the nation in all-purpose yards with 557.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Blue Devils are 15th in Division 1 in points scored with 60. They have run 81 plays this season for 524 yards, which ranks them 45th in the nation in total offense. The Duke Blue Devils average 6.5 yards per play, which is 42nd in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 30 1st downs this year, placing them 18th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Duke has run for 243 yards as a team, which ranks 37th in the country. They've run 47 times, averaging 5.2 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Blue Devils have been penalized on offense 3 times for 40 yards so far this season, which has them 109th in the nation in penalties. Daniel Jones has thrown for 213 yards this season. He has completed 19 passes on 25 attempts for a completion percentage of 76%. His quarterback rating this year is 174. He averages 8.5 yards per pass attempt and 10.1 adjusted yards per throw.

Defensive Statistics

Duke is 22nd in the nation in points allowed on defense with 7. They have surrendered a total of 158 yards on D, which is 14th in Division 1. The Blue Devils are ranked 16th in yards per play allowed with 3.2. Opposing offenses have completed 11 passes on 18 attempts against the Duke defense this season, placing them 26th and 16th in the country. The Duke Blue Devils pass defense has also given up a total of 94 yards through the air, which is 18th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has allowed 31 attempts for 64 yards this year, putting them in 28th place in D-1 against the run. The Blue Devils have committed 7 penalties for 66 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 84th in the nation.

Special Teams Stats

Duke is ranked 20th in the nation in punt returns with 3. They've accumulated 12 punt return yards and average 4 yards per return, which is 68th in college football. They have returned 3 kicks for 91 yards on special teams, ranking 32nd in kick return yardage. The Duke Blue Devils average 30 yards per kick return and they are 34th in the country in all-purpose yards with 627. Duke kickers have made 88% of their extra points, going 7 for 8 this year. Their punters have totaled 125 yards on 3 punts, averaging 42 yards per punt. That places them 62nd in Division 1 in punting average.

Who will win tonight's Wildcats/Blue Devils college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Blue Devils +2

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