Stanford Cardinal at Duke Blue Devils
Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, North Carolina
Saturday, September 10, 2011, 3:30 pm Eastern, TV: ESPNU
Opening Line: Stanford -15 1/2
Current Line: Stanford -20 1/2
Opening Total: 59 1/2
Current Total: 59
Opening Money Line: Stanford -1100 / Duke +750
Current Money Line: Stanford -1400 / Duke +1000
Stanford is 1-0 and ranked #6 in the country in both polls after a 57-3 thumping of San Jose St. Duke on the other hand is 0-1 after a 23-21 loss to FCS school Richmond. You might think this is a mismatch and you would be correct. Everyone and their mother is playing Stanford this week, as the line has moved from 15 1/2 to 20 1/2. Stanford got a win in David Shaw’s first game as coach last week. David Cutcliffe is the head coach at Duke. Stanford and Duke have played two times with each winning at home. However, the teams haven’t played since 1972.
Despite scoring 57 points, Stanford’s offense wasn’t exactly firing on all cylinders. Stanford only had 373 yards, including 232 passing yards. Quarterback Andrew Luck, a Heisman trophy contender, was 17 for 26 with 171 yards and 2 touchdown passes. He also had 2 carries for 9 yards and a touchdown. He was taken out of the game in the second half when the Cardinal had the game well in hand. Back-up Brett Nottingham threw a touchdown pass in mop-up duty. Running back Stepfan Taylor had 18 carries for 61 yards and 2 touchdown runs, along with 2 catches for 17 yards. Tyler Gaffney also had a touchdown run. Wide receiver Chris Owusu had 7 catches for 76 yards. He also returned a kick 59 yards. Zach Ertz, Ryan Hewitt, and Coby Fleener all caught touchdown passes in the game against San Jose St. Stanford kicker Jordan Williamson was 2 for 2 on field goals and had a long of 37 yards. He was also 7 for 7 on extra points.
Stanford was suffocating on defense against the hapless Spartans. Stanford allowed only 237 yards including 27 rushing yards and San Jose St scored only a field goal. Stanford had 7 tackles for loss, including 2 sacks and forced 3 turnovers. Stanford even scored a safety in the third quarter.
Duke appeared to be spider bitten in their 23-21 loss at home to Richmond. Statistically, Duke dominated the game and probably shouldn’t have lost. However, as the saying goes, that is why they play the games. Duke outgained the Spiders 379 yards to 288. However, Duke turned the ball over twice deep in their own territory leading to 10 Richmond points, and also came up empty twice in the red zone. Duke ran out of time at the end of the first half before they could attempt a field goal, and kicker Will Snyderwine missed 2 field goals in the last two minutes of the game. Granted, the last one was a 60 yard desperation kick on the last play of the game, but any of those three plays would have won the game for the Blue Devils. Quarterback Sean Renfree was 23 for 33 for 201 yards and no touchdowns or picks. He also had 3 carries for -2 yards. Duke rushed for 178 yards against Richmond. Juwan Thompson had 15 carries for 86 yards, along with a catch for 4 yards. Desmond Scott had 11 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown. He also had a catch for 5 yards. Brandon Connette and Anthony Boone also added rushing touchdowns. Junior Connor Vernon had 8 catches for 78 yards. Donovan Varner had 4 catches for 60 yards. Besides missing both field goals Snyderwine was 3 for 3 on extra points.
Duke held Richmond to 288 yards, including 95 rushing yards. Duke had 3 tackles for loss and forced one turnover. Defense wasn’t the problem for the Blue Devils, it was the miscues on offense and special teams that doomed Duke.
Stanford is 6-0-1 ATS in their last 7 as a favorite, and 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 after a straight up win. The Cardinal have covered 5 straight in non-conference games, and 4 straight in September games. Stanford id 4-0-1 in their last 5 as a road favorite. Stanford is 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 games after allowing 20 points or less in the previous game. Duke is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 following a straight up loss. Duke is 2-11 ATS in their last 13 home games against teams with winning records, and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 September games.
How can Duke even keep this game close? Well, perhaps they can convince Stanford to play basketball instead and Coach K can start his season a couple of months early. Otherwise, this game should be over at halftime, cross county trip or not. Stanford is just plain better than Duke.
Check out our college football odds page for the best lines on every game. Our college football handicappers are crushing the bookmakers so far this season.
