FB: Duke 45, Virginia Tech 10

[richardjackson199]

Well, you weren't going to get any takers on that once I had weighed in that VT was going to be the favorite. One might dare to bet richardjackson but probably not richardjackson backed by Troublemaker's point spread opinion ;-)



My instinct -- and it's pure instinct as I don't really know football -- tells me Duke is the right side / the sharp side / a good bet / will cover this spread. But yeah, it was basically impossible for VaTech to not be favored.

I was counting on the dare to bet richardjackson factor! I know how to lose some pie bets. I bet on the Warriors last year to win the playoffs and subsequently almost every all-star on their team ruptured a major lower extremity connective tissue.

Somebody agrees with you on Duke being the sharp side. Just today the line has already been bet down from Open -7 points to now consensus Va Tech -2.5.

Go Duke! I just hope we find a way to win. It would be huge.

[Reilly]

... the line has already been bet down from Open -7 points to now consensus Va Tech -2.5 ...

Holy Moly.

That is the largest, quickest drop in a betting line that I've ever seen. This afternoon, it was VT -6.5, and I texted many VT fans I know praying that the line would 'only' be bet down to VT -4 by the time I could engage a legal establishment on my way to the game game next Friday ... and just hours later it is VT -2.5 ...

http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-...cfm/team/duke

[Reilly]

Now hearing things about the VT QB and a walking boot ...

[whereinthehellami]

Here is a link to a Duke-VT preview from a VT guy. His writing style is out there but he has a really good feel for VT football and some interesting takes.

[budwom]

Here is a link to a Duke-VT preview from a VT guy. His writing style is out there but he has a really good feel for VT football and some interesting takes.

ouch, a dollar to anyone who can read all of that...the drop in the line really is impressive...let's hope our OL puts on a better show than they did last year...DBs as well...

[Bob Green]

Now hearing things about the VT QB and a walking boot ...

He was hurt at end of Furman game. The back up QB played at least one series. My memory cannot recall the details.

[Bob Green]

Defensive End TyJuan Garbutt expected to be back on the field against Duke:

https://www.roanoke.com/sports/colle...18560997d.html

Defensive Coordinator Bud Foster on Garbutt:

Ty arguably might have been one of our top four or five guys defensively going into the season. He’s fast. He’s physical. I think he will bring some element of pass rush and toughness.

VegasInsider composite odds currently have VT -3 with the Over/Under set at 56. If I was betting, I would take the Under because I have faith in our defense.

[Bob Green]

He was hurt at end of Furman game. The back up QB played at least one series. My memory cannot recall the details.

This article says Willis was out of the game because he had the wind knocked out of him:

https://www.roanoke.com/sports/colle...d38578669.html

Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker did make a brief appearance handing off to Tre Turner when Willis had the wind knocked out of him after a 5-yard run in the fourth quarter.

[scottdude8]

It's worth noting that right now every team in the ACC Coastal besides Virginia and UNC (and us, who haven't played a conference game yet) already have a conference loss. Moreover, we're lucky enough to avoid Clemson and Florida State (I know they're down, but they still have talent) in intra-division play. Combine that with UNC's loss to App State, and you'd have to think that if we win Friday we'll be the primary competition to Virginia in the division. That's a lot to play for.

[duke2x]

Agree, 56 looks kinda fluffy for the O/U

I think it's reasonable. VT's FBS averages are 30 and 26. They have two good data points in ODU and BC. We remain unknown at this point. The only comparable ACC team to AL is Clemson, which is miles ahead of the 13 dwarfs, and MTSU is a step below ODU and BC.

I do agree we probably have to hold VT under 30 to win this one.

[DU82]

It's worth noting that right now every team in the ACC Coastal besides Virginia and UNC (and us, who haven't played a conference game yet) already have a conference loss. Moreover, we're lucky enough to avoid Clemson and Florida State (I know they're down, but they still have talent) in intra-division play. Combine that with UNC's loss to App State, and you'd have to think that WHEN we win Friday we'll be the primary competition to Virginia in the division. That's a lot to play for.

FIFY

[Bob Green]

I do agree we probably have to hold VT under 30 to win this one.

At this point, I have a high degree of confidence in our defense. Dismissing the Alabama game, because they have a Heisman Trophy Candidate QB and four future NFL receivers, the defense has allowed 15.5 points per game so I am looking for us to hold Virginia Tech to around 20 points. The offense has been explosive in two wins but the VT defense will be a step up over NC A&T and MTSU so we will score less than the 43 points per game we averaged in those two wins.

I'm expecting a total points somewhere in the 40s, perhaps less, so the Under looks good.

And just for the fun of it I'll predict: Duke 24, Virginia Tech 14.

[jv001]

I think the line came down because of "Danny Dimes" game yesterday. The odds makers finally agreed Duke and Coach Cut are QB whisperers. Harris to go for 4 TDs and 300+ yards against VT.

GoDuke!

[budwom]

I think it's reasonable. VT's FBS averages are 30 and 26. They have two good data points in ODU and BC. We remain unknown at this point. The only comparable ACC team to AL is Clemson, which is miles ahead of the 13 dwarfs, and MTSU is a step below ODU and BC.

I do agree we probably have to hold VT under 30 to win this one.

Last year we could have held them to 15 and still lost. We need a vastly improved performance this year.

[duke2x]

VT surrendered 34 PPG in non-Duke FBS games.
First and foremost, this was a bad matchup last year. That could still exist this year.
It was a perfect storm. Jones had just returned from injury, and VT was motivated from a humiliating loss to ODU (for them). This won't repeat.

I save predictions for the end of the week. I'm not confident in this one, but it's not unreasonable.

[OldPhiKap]

We’re gonna win this one.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

We’re gonna win this one.

I'm with you on this one. After the game, turkey legs for all!

[English]

Last year we could have held them to 15 and still lost. We need a vastly improved performance this year.

Jeez, I'm having trouble remembering what happened in this game last season. Could you remind us...again? Wow, catching up on this thread now that we're moving toward gameday and, based on your handful of comments, maybe I'll just skip the game entirely. You know, because last season we played terribly.

Our newfound offensive weapons in the receiving game are as encouraging a unit as I can remember in the last few years of Duke football, and that wasn't even supposed to be a strength. Hopefully our running game can back up its preseason hype with the help of OLine play and QH opening things up. As others have pointed out, our defense has been solid. I'm cautiously optimistic, and not a bit surprised to see the line dip precipitously. The service I have says it opened at -2 and got pushed to -2.5, but perhaps that's an outlier. The O/U dropped from 53.5 to 52. I'm staying away from this one, but wouldn't be at all surprised if Duke takes it straight up.

[Bob Green]

Steve Wiseman on Aaron Young:

https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/...235209837.html

Coach Cutcliffe:

Emotions, injuries all that he’s been through has grown him. He’s growing as a young man. I know his family is proud of him. You think about it, you are going into your fifth year, you’re from California, the script hasn’t been written just like you’d wanted it to. And now he is finding himself. Now my job is to make sure he maintains that same spirit.

Some more of those spectacular TD catches will keep a lot of spirits high!

[devildeac]

Steve Wiseman on Aaron Young:

https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/...235209837.html

Coach Cutcliffe:



Some more of those spectacular TD catches will keep a lot of spirits high!

Beat me to it, Bob. I read that this AM and am very happy for Mr. Young, Cut, Duke and the way he's started this year.