Week 2: Northwestern vs Duke 9/10/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds
Duke Blue Devils (1-0) vs. Northwestern Wildcats (1-0)
September 10, 2022 12:00 pm EDT
The Line: Northwestern Wildcats -9.5 / Duke Blue Devils +9.5 ; Over/Under: 56
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The Northwestern Wildcats and Duke Blue Devils do battle Saturday in week 2 college football action from Ryan Field. Duke played Temple in their opener of the 2022 season. In that one, the Blue Devils notched a shutout victory. As for Northwestern, they took on Nebraska back on August 27. The Wildcats posted a big 31-28 victory to start the year out on the right foot. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.
Duke’s 2021 campaign left a lot to be desired. The Blue Devils limped to a 3-9 overall record by season’s end, and were an ineffective 0-8 in the ACC games. Needless to say, Duke finished in last place in the Coastal Division and in the conference overall.
In their first matchup of the year versus Temple, Duke scored 24 points in the first half on the way to a 30-0 blowout victory. QB Riley Leonard finished with 328 yards and two scores. Jalon Calhoun led the receivers with six grabs for 90 yards as well.
Over on the Northwestern side, they didn’t do much better themselves last year. The Wildcats posted a 3-9 overall record as well, with a 1-8 record in a difficult Big Ten. Northwestern landed in last place in the West Division, but were technically ahead of Indiana at 0-9.
The good news for the Wildcats is that they started off 2022 with a big victory. Northwestern scored in all four quarters during a wild 31-28 victory. QB Ryan Hillinski finished with 314 yards, two touchdowns and 27-of-38 passing. Evan Hull led the rush with 119 yards and a score off 22 carries.
PICK: I’m going to try the Wildcats here. Northwestern matched Nebraska punch for punch in their opener, collecting 528 yards of offense, 6.2 yards per play, 34:12 in time of possession and 25 first downs. The Wildcats did commit eight penalties for 65 yards and they gave up 6.4 yards per play to the Huskers, but it was a nice win right out of the gate.
As for Duke, they looked great in their opener with 500 total yards, 7.7 yards per play and 25 first downs. Oddly enough however, Duke was just 1-of-9 on third-down tries. That said, the Blue Devils should keep it going with a solid effort in game two—I think Northwestern can keep the cover pace, though.
