Week 1: Duke vs Temple 9/2/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Duke Blue Devils and Temple Owls clash Friday night in week 1 of college football action at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham. The Temple Owls won 3 games last year and now enter the Stan Drayton era. The Duke Blue Devils also won 3 games a year ago and enter the first season under coach Mike Elko.

The Temple Owls averaged 16.3 points and 286.8 yards per game last season. Temple allowed an average of 37.5 points and 398.4 yards per game last season. D’Wan Mathis returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,200 yards, 6 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Jose Barbon and Amad Anderson Jr. are a returning receiving duo that combined 700 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Edward Saydee led the Owls with 300 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, Alex Odom returns after 57 tackles, Darian Varner led Temple with 3 sacks and Jalen Ware had 2 interceptions. Temple returns enough production on both sides of the ball for this to be an improved season. Of course, a lot will come down to the growth of Mathis at quarterback. Become sharper with his throws and make less mistakes, Temple has a chance to be respectable this year.

The Duke Blue Devils averaged 22.8 points and 418.4 yards per game last season. Duke allowed an average of 39.8 points and 517.6 yards per game last season. Riley Leonard likely takes over at quarterback after 62 pass attempts last year and 1 touchdown. Jalon Calhoun and Eli Pancol is a returning receiving duo that combined 900 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Jordan Waters rushed for 200 rushing yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Shaka Heyward returns after leading Duke with 98 tackles, R.J. Oben had 5 sacks and DeWayne Carter has 6 pass deflections. Duke has a lot of questions entering this season, as it has a new quarterback, new head coach and a defense that was probably the worst in college football last season. There could be some growing pains for the Blue Devils as they say goodbye to David Cutcliffe.

The Owls are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games and 5-16 ATS in their last 21 games overall. The Blue Devils are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. AAC and 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The over is 5-2 in Owls last 7 vs. ACC. The over is 18-7-1 in Blue Devils last 26 home games.

The Temple Owls weren’t good last season, and that’s likely playing into the line here. However, Temple does return a lot of players on both sides of the ball, and you have to assume things will be better. The Duke Blue Devils are the more talented team, but they’re replacing a lot of key players on both sides of the ball and have a new head coach. I wouldn’t be shocked if Duke gets off to a sluggish start as it tries to find an identity. This could be a blah game from both teams where they try to knock the rust off. Give me Temple and the points if forced to pick.