Northwestern vs. Duke Prediction, Game Preview
Northwestern vs. Duke prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins when the Wildcats and Blue Devils meet at Ryan Field.
Northwestern vs. Duke prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins when the Wildcats and Blue Devils meet at Ryan Field.
Northwestern vs. Duke Game Preview
When: Saturday, September 17 – 8 p.m. ET
Where: Ryan Field, Evanston, Ill.
TV Broadcast: Big Ten Network
Not even Pat Fitzgerald could’ve seen this coming. Back-to-back demoralizing defeats have Northwestern sitting at 0-2, but it’s not just the record that’s disappointing. The Wildcats fumbled at the goal line when going in for the go-ahead touchdown late in the loss to Western Michigan, then watched Illinois State bounce the winning field goal off the left upright as time expired in last week’s 9-7 loss. That’s a loss to a MAC team and an in-state FCS school – both at home – for a Northwestern team that had high expectations coming off a 10-win season. Ouch.
Duke has it’s own issues, particularly on the offensive line. The Blue Devils’ front was eaten up in last week’s 24-14 loss to Wake Forest as the backfield – including redshirt freshman quarterback Daniel Jones – finished with 37 yards on seven carries. Jones was sacked five times and was forced into 48 pass attempts as Duke tried to rally in the third and fourth quarters. The line will have to be better against a Wildcat defensive front that has four sacks on the season and allowed just 85 rushing yards last week.
What To Know About Northwestern
Where was the offense against an FCS team on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Evanston?! The Wildcats were shutout in the first half and didn’t score until Clayton Thorson – who finished a dismal 17-of-41 passing – threw a 10-yard touchdown pass with just over nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. Running back Justin Jackson had to leave in the fourth quarter with a leg injury, but he wasn’t very effective before that and finished with 11 carries for 39 yards. Fitzgerald said Jackson is expected to play against Duke, and the Wildcats will need him to be better given Thorson’s struggles.
What to Know About Duke
Three starters returned to Duke’s offensive line, and Coach Dave Cutcliffe wondered why the Blue Devils had so much trouble against Wake last week. The 308-yard rushing performance from the opener seemed like ages ago, and even that came in a rout of FCS foe North Carolina Central. Jones is still inexperienced and could use some help from running back Jela Duncan, who ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns opening weekend. Of course, his success boils down to the O-line keeping the Northwestern defense out of the backfield.
Advantages
Offense: Northwestern – Jackson will be the most talented player for either team on offense, and I’m expecting him to bounce back despite the minor injury.
Defense: Even – Duke didn’t play all that poorly against Wake Forest, and Northwestern lost despite only allowing nine points.
Special Teams: Even – Duke kicker AJ Reed has missed both of his field goal attempts, and Northwestern’s Jack Mitchell has missed his lone attempt.
Coaching: Even – Fitzgerald and Cutcliffe have both done great jobs turning around their respective programs, but are also in desperate need of a victory in this one.
Intangibles: Northwestern – The Wildcats won last year’s meeting 19-10 behind Jackson’s 120 yards that helped make up for Thorson’s two interceptions.
Matchup To Watch
Jackson vs. Duke’s defense
It remains to be seen if Jackson’s injury will hamper him at all this week. If it does, the Blue Devils are in the driver’s seat. If not, Jackson could be looking at a heavy workload.
Northwestern vs. Duke Betting Odds
Spread: Northwestern -6 1/2
Over/Under: N/A
Northwestern vs. Duke Prediction
Jackson goes for over 100 yards and two touchdowns and the Wildcats’ defense frustrates Jones in a close victory.
Northwestern vs. Duke Score Prediction: Northwestern 14, Duke 10
