Wake Forest vs. Duke Prediction, Pick Against the Spread, Latest Odds
Wake Forest vs. Duke Prediction, Pick Against the Spread, Latest Odds
This game has had a lot of line movement as Duke went from 13 point favorites to just 6 1/2 point favorites at home likely due to the fact that star quarterback, Riley Leonard, will be out with an ankle injury. How will Duke fair tonight with their third string quarterback? Let’s break it down.
Wake Forest vs. Duke Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: November 2, 2023
- Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN
Wake Forest vs. Duke Prediction
This game has a lot of unknowns as Duke will likely be without star quarterback, Riley Leonard, and potentially their back up Henry Belin. Duke could be onto their third string quarterback in this home matchup against Wake Forest, but I am not so sure it even matters who is at quarterback for Duke tonight against this Wake Forest team who really does not have a pulse on offense.
We saw Wake Forest go on the road a few weeks ago against Clemson and put forth a valiant effort as they lost that game 17 to 12, but their offense was only able to score one offensive TD which came in the last minute of the game. Fast forward to the next week, and they were lucky to beat Pittsburgh at home as their quarterback slid a yard early before a first down. Wake was able to get the ball back, and if not for that miscue, Wake would have lost the game. Then last week against Florida State at home, Wake Forest was only able to score 16 points, and was sacked a total of six times as their offensive line simply could not hold up against Florida State’s front seven.
Things do not get any easier tonight for Wake Forest against a Duke defense that has been the strength of their team all season. When Duke played NC State at home a few weeks ago with their backup quarterback, they allowed a field goal on NC State's first possession of the game, and then did not allow a single point after that. This game could follow a very similar script, as Wake Forest’s offense has been extremely anemic, turnover prone, and sack prone this year. Wake Forest is currently ranked 131st in the nation out of 133 FBS teams in sack percentage on offense as their offensive line play has been well below average. Wake Forest has allowed at least two sacks in every single one of their games this season, and allowed six sacks to FSU, seven sacks to Virginia Tech, and eight sacks to Georgia Tech of all teams. Wake Forest has had well below average quarterback and offensive line play, which is not a good recipe when you are going on the road to face a top-25 defense.
Duke may be down to their second or third string quarterback, but I simply do not see how this Wake Forest squad will move the ball or score consistently against this stout Duke defense. With that being said, I am rolling with Duke first half -3.5 at -105 odds for 1.5 units as my most confident college football play of the day for tonight’s action. I think Duke gets off to a strong start at home, much like they did against NC State in a similar spot a few weeks ago. I am also rolling with Wake Forest team total under 17 at -108 odds for one unit, as I do not think they will have a lot of offensive success tonight.
Wake Forest vs. Duke Picks
Pick: Duke 1H -3.5 -105Â Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Pick: Wake Forest Team Total Under 17 -108 Â Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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Article Author
Joey has spent the last 6+ years betting on sports with a focus on basketball and baseball. Basketball is his main focus, and not many people know more about mid-major basketball than him. Whether you need advice on a Saturday night primetime game or a Tuesday night back-alley SWAC/MEAC game, Joey is your man.