The Northwestern Wildcats and Duke Blue Devils meet Saturday in week 3 college football action at Wallace Wade Stadium. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview

The Northwestern Wildcats look for their first road win since November 2020. Northwestern also looks for its first win over a ranked team since 2020 again Wisconsin. Ben Bryant is completing 58.5 percent of his passes for 285 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Cam Johnson and Joseph Himon II have combined for 190 receiving yards and 1 touchdown, while A.J. Henning has 6 receptions. The Northwestern Wildcats ground game is averaging 98 yards per contest, and Cam Porter leads the way with 98 yards on 23 carries. Defensively, Northwestern is allowing 15.5 points and 302 yards per game. Bryce Gallagher leads the Northwestern Wildcats with 24 tackles, Aidan Hubbard has 1 sack and Joe DeHaan has 1 interception.

Northwestern Wildcats Team Facts

• The favorite has won each of Northwestern’s last 10 games.
• Northwestern has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
• Northwestern has lost the first half in each of its last four games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
• Six of Northwestern’s last seven games against AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line

Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview

The Duke Blue Devils look for another win after beating Clemson and Lafayette in their first 2 games. Duke looks for its fourth 3-0 start since the 2017 season. Riley Leonard is completing 64.4 percent of his passes for 311 yards, 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions. Jordan Moore and Jalon Calhoun have combined for 174 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, while Sahmir Hagans has 6 receptions. The Duke Blue Devils ground game is averaging 230 yards per contest, and Jordan Waters leads the way with 175 yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, Duke is allowing 7 points and 317.5 yards per game. Chandler Rivers leads the Duke Blue Devils with 15 tackles, Aaron Hall has 1 sack and Dorian Mausi has 1 interception.

Duke Blue Devils Team Facts

• Duke has won 15 of its last 16 games against non-conference opponents at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.
• Duke has covered the spread in each of its last four games against Northwestern.
• Duke has won the first quarter in 17 of its last 21 games against non-conference opponents at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.
• Duke has won the first half in 26 of its last 28 games against non-conference opponents at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.
• Three of Duke’s last four games at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium 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).
• Northwestern was one of only six FBS teams to lose 4+ games when leading after Q1 last season.
• Northwestern was the only FBS team to remain winless in home games last season (0-6) (min. 8 games).

Randy’s Pick

The Northwestern Wildcats have shown nothing offensively through 2 games, and a win over UTEP does nothing to move the needle. Ben Bryant can’t push the ball down field and he’s been sacked 7 times. The Duke Blue Devils look as good as they’ve been in recent memory, and the defense has come to play as well. You can’t help but be impressed with what Duke has shown through 2 games, even if Lafayette isn’t a good spot competition wise. Duke is 9-3-2 ATS in its last 14 games as a double-digit favorite. Northwestern is 6-8 ATS in its last 14 games as a double-digit underdog. Northwestern just doesn’t have the offensive horses to put fear into this ranked Duke squad. I’ll lay the chalk.