Struggling in-state rivals square off in an ACC matchup on Thursday night when the Duke Blue Devils host the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Wallace Wade Stadium. The Demon Deacons have won four of the past six meetings, but the Blue Devils prevailed in a 34-31 shootout in Durham last November. Duke (5-3, 2-2 ACC) started the season with four straight victories but has lost to three ranked teams in its past four games. The Demon Deacons (4-4, 1-4) won three non-conference games to start the season but have lost four of five in ACC play.
Kickoff at Wallace Wade Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. The latest Wake Forest vs. Duke odds from the SportsLine consensus list the Blue Devils as 6.5-point favorites, and the over/under for total points scored is 41.5. Before locking in any Duke vs. Wake Forest picks, be sure to check out the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a stunning profit of well over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Wake Forest vs. Duke and just revealed its picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine to see the model's CFB picks. Here are several college football odds and trends for Duke vs. Wake Forest:
- Wake Forest vs. Duke spread: Blue Devils -6.5
- Wake Forest vs. Duke over/under: 41.5 points
- Wake Forest vs. Duke money line: Demon Deacons +208, Blue Devils -258
- WAKE: Is 4-2 ATS in its past six games as an underdog.
- DUKE: Is 8-3 ATS at home since the start of last season.
- Wake Forest vs. Duke picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Wake Forest vs. Duke live stream: fubo (try for free)
Why Duke can cover
The Blue Devils will look forward to their only home game over a five-game span, and they are 8-4 against the spread in their past 12 ACC games. Quarterback Riley Leonard threw for 391 yards and four touchdowns and Jalon Calhoun had 174 receiving yards against Wake last year. Jordan Moore was one of the few bright spots for Duke last week with 92 receiving yards. They should find success Thursday against the ACC's worst pass defense (256.5 yards per game).
Still, Duke's offense is built on a strong running game, with Leonard adding 352 yards to a unit that averages 180 per game on the ground. Jordan Waters and Jaquez Moore have combined for 893 rushing yards and an average of 5.7 per carry. Waters has scored nine TDs. Duke is 7-0 ATS in its past seven matchups with unranked teams, and the defense shouldn't have trouble with Wake. The Blue Devils allow averages of 15 points (ninth in FBS) and 320 yards (23rd). See which team to pick here.
Why Wake Forest can cover
The Demon Deacons lost 41-16 to No. 4 Florida State last weekend, but they rode a strong rushing attack to a 21-17 victory against Pitt the previous week. They had 172 rushing yards, led by Demond Claiborne (96) and Justice Ellison (60). That duo has combined for 918 rushing yards, and Claiborne has five TDs. Wake Forest also has four receivers with more than 245 receiving yards, with Jahmal Banks posting 476 yards and Wesley Grimes averaging 18.7 yards on 16 catches.
Quarterback Mitch Griffis has thrown for 1,292 yards and nine TDs despite missing one game, returning from injury against a fierce FSU defense last week. The Demon Deacons defense will rely on its big-play ability to rattle Leonard, who has one TD pass and three interceptions over the past three games. Wake Forest has 18 sacks, led by star pass rusher Jasheen Davis (5.5) and linebacker Jacob Roberts (five). Cornerback DaShawn Jones has three interceptions. See which team to pick here.
How to make Wake Forest vs. Duke picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 55 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in nearly 60% of simulations. You can only see the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Duke vs. Wake Forest, and which side of the spread hits almost 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has notched a profit of well over $2,000 on its top-rated college football spread picks, and find out.
