Alabama Crimson Tide at Duke Blue Devils, Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC
Saturday, September 18, 2010, 3:30 pm EST, TV: ABC, ESPN2 or ESPN Gameplan (check local listings)
Opening Line: Alabama -21.5
Current Line: Alabama -23.5
Opening Total: 54
Current Total: 57.5
Money Line: Alabama -2000/ Duke +1250
Bookmaker Sportsbook provided the odds for this game and offers gamblers a 25% signup bonus this season!
Coach Nick Saban leads his Crimson Tide into Durham to take on David Cutcliffe’s Duke Blue Devils. The Tide has rolled to two straight wins over San Jose St 48-3 and Penn St 24-3. Duke is 1-1 with a 41-27 win over Elon and a shootout loss at Wake Forest 54-48. The big news in this game is defending Heisman Trophy winning running back Mark Ingram returns after missing the first two games due to knee surgery. It is pretty scary that Ingram’s backups still averaged almost 219 yards a game in Ingram’s absence. Coach Saban had not said what Ingram’s role will be as of this writing, but said he will play. It might be a better idea to give him one more week to rest as the Tide travel to Arkansas next week, and probably don’t need him against Duke.
Alabama has been clicking in all aspects of the game so far this season, offense, defense, and special teams. The most amazing stat about how good the Tide are is the fact that until the third quarter last week, no Alabama offensive linemen had been called for holding in 42 quarters dating back to last year! For those not good in math that is over 10 games without a holding call, simply astounding. The Tide has outgained their opponents on average 500-229. Quarterback Greg McIlroy has yet to throw an interception this season and has thrown for 447 total yards and 3 touchdowns. Last week, Alabama dismantled Penn St 24-3. The Nittany Lions were held to 283 yards and committed 4 turnovers. they did not even score until the fourth quarter and could only manage a field goal to avoid the shutout. McIlroy was decent throwing for 229 yards with 2 touchdowns. The running game was led by Trent Richardson with 144 yards and a touchdown. It isn’t often that Penn St is completely whipped in all phases of the game like were against Alabama. Penn St was ranked #17 before last week’s game so it isn’t like they were a cupcake or anything.
Duke has a great offense and a terrible defense so it makes for some exciting football games. Last week the Blue Devils travelled to Winston-Salem to take on Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons came out on top 54-48 which almost looks like it could be a score between the two school’s vaunted basketball teams. Duke is averaging over 500 yards a game on offense but is giving up over 450 yards a game. and it doesn’t get any easier with the high-powered Crimson Tide rolling into to town. Duke turned the ball over four times against Wake, and if they do that against Alabama, it will be a long day for the Devils. Quarterback Sean Renfree threw for 358 yards with 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Receiver Connor Vernon caught 8 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Desmond Scott rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown. However, Duke’s porous defense will have a hard, if not impossible time, stopping the Alabama attack.
Bettors should keep an eye on the Ingram situation, but it might not matter too much against Duke. Alabama could overlook this team if they are looking ahead to their showdown with Arkansas next week. As much as it is hard to believe when involving a team like Alabama the Over 57 looks like the best play from a betting stand point (compare the totals on our college football lines page to make sure you get the best number). Duke is going to allow a ton of points but their offense is good enough to get enough points to get this one up and over the posted total. For some sure winners against the point spread visit the best college football picks page of the site and start your week 3 college football saturday off on a winning note.
