Lafayette Leopards (1-0) vs. Duke Blue Devils (1-0)
Lafayette Leopards vs. Duke Blue Devils 9/9/23 – College football fans are in store for an exciting showdown between Lafayette Leopards (1-0) and Duke Blue Devils (1-0), scheduled for a 6:00 PM ET kickoff at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium and broadcast on ESP+ on September 9, 2023. Both sides aim to extend their winning momentum.
The Leopards notched their first win but remain somewhat vulnerable. Their strength lies primarily in their running game, led by running back Jamar Curtis, who amassed 181 yards on 19 carries for an incredible average of 9.5 yards per rush and was even able to find the end zone by scoring one. Nahjee Adams showed his versatility by making an impressive 24-yard reception – although still without scoring a receiving touchdown.
The Blue Devils kicked off their season on a positive note by winning in their opening game. Jordan Waters has been productive on the ground, with 11 carries leading to 63 yards and one touchdown on 11 attempts; Jalon Calhoun has proven reliable with five receptions totaling 32 yards so far, although he’s yet to score this season. Check out our free expert NCAAF picks for more insights.
Lafayette Leopards vs. Duke Blue Devils Game Info
| When: | Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 6:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium |
| TV: | ESP+ |
| Stream: | SofaScore |
Ryan Schuster QB vs. Riley Leonard QB
The quarterback matchup in this contest presents a striking comparison in styles and effectiveness. Lafayette’s Ryan Schuster has had a rocky start to the season. He completed only 50% of his passes, throwing for a measly 40 yards in his last game. The performance was accompanied by an interception and three sacks which resulted in a loss of 24 yards. His passer rating of 61.3 paints a bleak picture for the Leopards’ aerial attack. His dismal average of 3.3 yards per pass attempt indicates a lack of depth in his throws, limiting the offense’s potential to stretch the field.
In contrast, Duke’s Riley Leonard has shown more promise, albeit far from perfect. With a 51.5% completion rate, he managed 175 passing yards but also failed to throw for a touchdown. However, his clean slate of zero interceptions and zero sacks gives him an edge. His passer rating stands at 96.1, considerably higher than Schuster’s. While Leonard’s 5.3 yards per pass attempt is not exactly explosive, it offers a more balanced offensive approach for the Blue Devils. The matchup could very well be decided by which quarterback manages to rise to the occasion and minimize mistakes.
Odds/Point Spread: Duke Blue Devils ML, Total Odds: –
Unfortunately, the betting odds for both teams have not been released, making it challenging to provide specific betting recommendations. But we can provide a winning score for this game.
Lafayette Leopards Betting Trends
The betting trends for Lafayette are less than favorable. They have been poor against the spread, registering a 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games. Their straight-up records are even more concerning, being 0-8 SU in their last 8 games and 0-7 SU in road games. September has also not been kind to them, with a 0-5 SU record in their last five games during this month.
Duke Blue Devils Betting Trends
Duke’s betting trends provide a strong contrast. They are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games and 6-1 SU in their last 7 games. They’ve been particularly strong at home, with a 6-1 ATS record. Furthermore, Duke has been impressive in September games, going 7-1 SU in their last 8 and 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games in week 2.
Lafayette Leopards vs. Duke Blue Devils 9/9/23 Betting Picks
Considering all factors, from key players to quarterback performance and betting trends, the Duke Blue Devils seem to have a noticeable edge over the Lafayette Leopards. Lafayette’s lackluster passing game will likely be a major handicap, especially when compared to Duke’s more balanced offensive approach.While both teams will look to exploit their respective strengths, Duke’s more favorable betting trends and overall stronger team performance suggest that they will emerge victorious in what could become a defining game early in the season. For more insights, check out our free consensus sports picks today.
Free Pick and Prediction: Duke Blue Devils will win 28-13.