In this article, we will formulate a Duke vs Virginia Prediction for this College Football Week 8 matchup on Friday, October 23rd. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Football matchup.
Virginia Cavaliers Preview
Virginia has a 4-3 record and a 2-2 record in the ACC. They are coming off a 13-23 road loss against SMU and will face California and North Carolina next.
Offensively, Virginia averages 30 points per game, ranking 67th in the nation, while defensively, they allow 19.7 points per game, which is 39th. Virginia averages 362 total yards per game (205.1 passing and 156.9 rushing), while allowing 326.6 total yards per game (152.7 rushing and 173.9 passing).
Beau Pribula leads Virginia with 1,211 passing yards with 65.4% completed passes and 13 touchdowns. Jekail Middlebrook leads the team in rushing yards with 396, while DaShawn Martin has a team-high 225 receiving yards and 15 receptions. Defensively, Jacobie Henderson has a team-high 39 total tackles (20 of them solo), while Matthew Fobbs-White leads the team with 4 sacks.
Duke Blue Devils Preview
Duke has a 4-2 record and a 1-2 record in the ACC. They are coming off a 20-24 home loss against North Carolina and will face Boston College and NC State next.
Offensively, Duke averages 31.7 points per game, ranking 53rd in the nation, while defensively, they allow 16 points per game, which is 19th. Duke averages 442.7 total yards per game (233.2 passing and 209.5 rushing), while allowing 292.7 total yards per game (92.5 rushing and 200.2 passing).
Walker Eget leads Duke with 1,229 passing yards with 62.8% completed passes and 8 touchdowns. Nate Sheppard leads the team in rushing yards with 820, while adding a team-high 259 receiving yards and 28 receptions. Defensively, Andrew Pellicciotta and Nick Morris Jr. are tied for the team lead with 33 total tackles each (21 solo for Pellicciotta, 15 solo for Morris Jr.), while Bradley Gompers and Kevin O’Connor are tied for the team lead with 3 sacks each.
Duke Blue Devils @ Virginia Cavaliers Betting Trends: Week 8
Why the Virginia Cavaliers will win
- Duke has lost each of its last six games at Scott Stadium.
- Virginia has won 10 of its last 11 games at Scott Stadium.
- Duke has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six games at Scott Stadium.
- Virginia has covered the spread in five of its last six October games against Duke.
- Virginia has won the first quarter in 10 of its last 12 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Duke has lost the first half in each of its last four games as an underdog in Virginia.
Why the Duke Blue Devils will win
- Duke has won eight of its last 10 games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Virginia has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five games in October.
- Duke has covered the spread in 11 of its last 13 games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
- The underdog has won the first quarter in each of the last three games between Duke and Virginia.
- Virginia has lost the first half in each of its last four October games as a home favorite.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Duke’s last six road games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
- Seven of Virginia’s last eight games against conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Virginia Cavaliers Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 8, Daniel Sparks ranks 4th amongst qualified players for gross average yards per punt (50.3) this season.
Duke Blue Devils Player Prop Facts
- Nate Sheppard has recorded 75+ rushing yards in 10 consecutive games – longest streak in the FBS, heading into Week 8.
Matchup/League Facts
- Virginia ranks T5th among FBS teams for sacks this season (22.0).
- Virginia ranks T14th among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (2.4).
- Duke ranks 2nd among FBS teams for H2 opponent points per game this season (4.5).
- Duke ranks T136th among FBS teams for sacks this season (2.0).
Duke vs Virginia Prediction
In this Duke vs Virginia prediction, Virginia is coming as -1.5 home favorites. Neither team has been in good form lately, as they are 1-2 and 0-2 in their last three and two games respectively and Virginia’s top-40 defense has been shaky lately, having allowed 23+ points in four of its last five games. Duke has better numbers both offensively and defensively for a +15.7 point differential and has won its previous visit in Virginia last season by 27-20. I like the value with the road dog in this matchup, so take Duke on the moneyline for plus money in this one.