The Clemson Tigers and the Duke Blue Devils meet in week 1 ACC college football action from Wallace Wade Stadium on Monday night.
Clemson Team Preview
The Clemson Tigers will be out to build on another successful season as usual, ending the season at 11-3 overall including 9-0 in ACC conference play. Clemson would take out North Carolina in the ACC title game 39-10, but would fall to Tennessee in the Orange Bowl by a final count of 31-14. After much fanfare, it’s finally the Cade Klubnik show and Klubnik showed flashes of his potential with a 20 of 24 for 279 yard stat line in the ACC championship and 320 yards passing in the Orange Bowl. Antonio Williams is back after leading Clemson with 56 catches for 604 yards while Beaux Colling averaged 17 yards per catch and Adam Randall will hope to have a clean bill of health and injury-free 2023. Will Shipley is back in Clemson’s backfield after logging 1,182 yards and 15 touchdowns as well as 38 receptions out of the Tiger backfield. On defense, Duke Orhorhoro and Tyler Davis lead the defensive line, while Xavier Thomas flanks them at defensive end. Jeremian Trotter and Barrett Carter make an imposing pair at linebacker. The secondary features names to watch like Nate Wiggins and Sheridan Jones at corner and Jalyn Phillips, Andrew Mukaba and RJ Mickens at safety.
Clemson Tigers Team Facts
- Clemson has won each of its last 12 games against conference opponents.
- Clemson has failed to cover the spread in 10 of its last 11 games in September.
- Clemson has won the first half in nine of its last 10 games against conference opponents.
- Clemson has won the first quarter in each of its last three games against conference opponents.
- Four of Clemson’s last five September road games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
Duke Team Preview
The Duke Blue Devils will look to build on a stellar debut in the Mike Elko era, finishing the year 9-4, their first winning season since 2018. The Blue Devils would receive an invite to the Military Bowl, a game that saw Duke take out UCF by a final score of 30-13. Riley Leonard is back at QB for Duke, after throwing for 2,967 yards, 20 touchdowns and 6 INTs on 63.8% passing while also leading the Blue Devils in rushing with 699 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. His top target, Jalon Calhoun, is also back after logging 62 catches for 873 yards and 4 TDs last year, the majority of Duke’s receiving group is in tact for that matter. The backfield is largely returning as well, with Jordan Waters backing Leonard up as well after finishing 2nd in rushing with 566 yards and 8 touchdowns. On defense, Duke’s pass rush has a lot of top end talent, led by DeWayne Carter at defensive tackle who had 11 TFLs and 5.5 sacks last season while Cam Dillon and Dorian Mausi make up a solid linebacker tandem who combined for 105 total tackles in 2022. As good as Duke’s pass rush is, the secondary might be better with Chandler Rivers returning alongside transfers like Al Blades from Miami and Myles Jones from Texas A&M as well as lots of high-upside pieces at safety.
Duke Blue Devils Team Facts
- Duke has lost each of its last seven games against AP-ranked teams.
- Duke has covered the spread in seven of its last eight home openers.
- Duke has won the first half in each of its last four home games against conference opponents.
- Each of Duke’s last 10 games against AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Duke ranked T3rd among FBS teams for Q4 win percentage last season (.769).
- Duke ranked 4th among FBS teams for Q4 points per game last season (10.2).
- Clemson ranked T5th among FBS teams for H1 win percentage last season (.786).
- Clemson ranked 13th among FBS teams for Q1 points allowed per game last season (3.4).
Chris’ Pick
I’m leaning towards Clemson here. I don’t love this game from this line’s perspective and I could change course closer to kickoff, but Duke wasn’t tested a whole lot in 2022 against high-powered opposition. I mean sure, they beat Wake Forest and got the bowl win over UCF, but it’s just really hard to feel great in a week 1 matchup against Clemson, even at home, a Tigers team that just seems to keep rolling with the times and reloading year after year. Klubnik showed solid flashes in his limited action last year and I think this is just about Clemson making the stops that Duke doesn’t over the course of the game. Give me Clemson laying the points.
