Wake Forest vs Duke Prediction & Best Bets: Whose Slide Will Continue Tonight?

Just a few weeks ago, it appeared that Duke was going to make a strong run at returning to the ACC Championship Game for the first time since 2013. But entering tonight’s matchup with Wake Forest (7:30 pm ET, ESPN), the Blue Devils need a win to maintain any realistic hope of achieving that goal.

Since starting the season with four straight wins, Duke (5-3, 2-2 ACC) has won just once in four games and fell 23-0 in an ugly game at Louisville last weekend.

There’s still time to make this a memorable season for the program, but this is a must-win contest for the Blue Devils.

While the expectations were not nearly as high for Wake Forest (4-4, 1-4 ACC), every game from here on is highly important for the Demon Deacons as well in their quest to make a bowl game for the eighth straight season.

Which one of these struggling teams will pick up a vital victory tonight at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham? Oddsmakers have the Blue Devils favored by almost two touchdowns at home, where they are 4-1 this season.

Wake Forest vs Duke Odds

Odds are courtesy of Bovada.

Spread

• Wake Forest +12.5 (-110)
• Duke -12.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 45 (-110)
• Under 45 (-110)

Moneyline

• Wake Forest +360
• Duke -500

Can Wake Forest Generate Enough Offense to Give Duke a Game?

Expectations were not high for Wake Forest entering a rebuilding season, but their current offensive struggles are nonetheless a rough sight.

In last week’s 41-16 home loss to Florida State, the Demon Deacons managed only 210 total yards. After missing the Pittsburgh game, starting quarterback Mitch Griffis returned to action against FSU and completed only 6 of 16 passes for 82 yards.

Turnovers have been an issue. Through eight games, Wake Forest has turned the ball over 16 times and has a turnover margin of -5, and last Saturday’s game was their first turnover-free game of the season.

Also, they just aren’t moving the ball well, simply put.

In their 3-0 start this season, the Demon Deacons averaged 33.3 PPG and 440 yards per game. But since compiling exactly 400 yards in a 30-16 loss to Georgia Tech on September 23, Wake has averaged just 258.5 yards per game, and they are averaging only 15.6 PPG over their last five games.

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Griffis isn’t Sam Hartman, but the harsh reality is that his job will not be secure much longer if he continues to post poor numbers.

• First Three Games: 61.9% completion percentage, 837 yards passing, 8 TD, 3 INT
• Last Four Games: 52.5% completion percentage, 456 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT)

It would help if he could be able to stay upright a bit more. In seven games this season, he has been sacked 29 times. Against FSU, he was sacked five times, the fifth time he has been sacked four or more times.

None of that bodes particularly well for Griffis and Wake Forest tonight at Duke.

The Blue Devils have had their own offensive struggles in recent weeks with QB Riley Leonard unable to build off of early success.

But even though Duke failed to score against Louisville, they are not riding the same struggle bus that Wake Forest is. The Blue Devils know who their signal caller is, and at his best, he is one of the best quarterbacks in college football. He just needs to be healthy, which he has not been as of late after injuring his right ankle at Notre Dame and reinjuring it at FSU.

Wake Forest vs Duke Prediction and Best Bets

Prediction: Duke to win

Best Bets: Duke -12.5 (-110 at Bovada) & Wake Forest/Duke under 45 (-110 at Bovada)

Were there more certainty surrounding Leonard’s health, I’d be inclined to hammer Duke here.

But even though I’m stopping short of doing that, I still expect the Blue Devils to comfortably dispatch the Demon Deacons, who will have another tough time putting points on the board tonight.

Where to Bet on College Football

Most top online sportsbooks offer a wide variety of college football odds throughout the season.

In addition to being able to make weekly college football picks all the way from Week Zero to the College Football Playoff National Championship, you can also bet on Heisman Trophy odds, conference championship odds, win totals, and much more.

There are plenty of sports betting sites you can choose from that are good for college football betting. Below are some of the books that we highly recommend:

• BetDSI
• BetOnline
• BetUS
• Bookmaker
• MyBookie
• Sportsbetting.ag

If you don’t have an account at a book on this list, check out our reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.

Other College Football Content

• College Football Betting Guide
• College Football Predictions, Best Bets & Betting Analysis