The Duke Blue Devils and Wake Forest Demon Deacons clash Thursday in week 10 college football action from Wallace Wade Stadium. Wake Forest just finished up a home matchup versus Florida State. In that one the Deacons fell in blowout fashion to drop to 4-4 overall. As for Duke (5-3), they took on Louisville in their Saturday matchup. The Blue Devils would go on to lose in a shutout Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons 

Wake Forest has had a fairly tepid offense recently after starting out the season with 27 or more points in three straight games. The Demon Deacons would fail to surpass 21 points in each of their next four, going just 1-3 in that time. Wake Forest posted an average of 23.1 points per game and 18 total touchdowns over their first seven outings. 

In Saturday’s game versus Florida State, the Deacons were drilled in the first half 34-7 and ended up losing big 41-16 by the end of the game. Quarterback Mitch Griffis posted just 82 yards on six completions and Jahmal Banks was the lead receiver with 43 yards from four catches. Justice Ellison added 77 yards with 10 carries. 

Wake Forest Demon Deacons Team Facts

• The underdog has won each of Wake Forest’s last three games at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.
• Wake Forest has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five road games in November.
• Wake Forest has lost the first half in each of its last four road games against conference opponents.
• Each of Wake Forest’s last seven November games as a road underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Duke Blue Devils 

Over on the Duke side, they kicked off the season with some solid points totals as well, bagging 28 or more points in each of their first four games (all wins). Duke has since faced some tricky squads, though. Across their first seven games the Blue Devils ended up averaging just under 30 points per game (29.6) with 1,213 passing yards and 1,388 rush yards in a pretty balanced attack. 

Matched up against Louisville over the weekend, Duke fell behind early 14-0 after the first quarter and things didn’t get any better in a rough 23-0 loss. QB Riley Leonard finished with 121 yards and a pick, while Jordan Waters led the rush with just 23 yards. Jordan Moore had a pretty good day though, catching six balls for 92 yards. 

Duke Blue Devils Team Facts

• Duke has won each of its last six games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• The favorite has covered the spread in each of Duke’s last six games.
• Duke has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against conference opponents.
• Duke has won the first half in five of its last six home games against conference opponents.
• Each of Duke’s last four home games against conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Duke rank T8th among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (15.0).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stay with Duke in this one. Some of the luster has worn off this matchup, what with both teams losing big last weekend. That said, we should still have a competitive game on our hands. Duke gave up a ton of rush yards to Louisville (234) and 20 first downs, but otherwise held the Cardinals in check with just 2-of-10 third-down conversions allowed. Offense was another story: 202 yards (151 passing), nine first downs and 2-of-12 on third downs. The Blue Devils have got to find a way to get into the end zone in this one: they’ve been at 24 points or below in each of the last four games. 

As for Wake Forest, they gave up 508 yards (382 passing) to Florida State in a game they realistically weren’t going to be competitive. The Deacons have scored 21 or fewer points in five straight games now and will probably have a hard time navigating the Duke defense. I think Wake will look decent here and come close to covering, though.