Wake Forest at Duke odds, picks and predictions
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-4, 1-4) and Duke Blue Devils (5-3, 2-2) meet Thursday at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Wake Forest vs. Duke odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Demon Deacons are coming off a sound beating from Florida State at home, falling 41-16 as 21-point underdogs. After a 3-0 straight up (SU) start, Wake Forest has dropped 4 of the past 5 games. It has managed to cover just twice in the past 6 outings, too.
The Over result for Wake Forest halted a 5-0 Under run. In fact, the Under was 5-0-2 in the first 7 games before the total went high last Saturday.
The Blue Devils burst onto the scene with a stunning Labor Day night win against Clemson, while opening with 4 straight wins. It fell at home 21-14 to Notre Dame on Sept. 30, but remained in the rankings until this week. A 38-20 loss at Florida State on Oct. 21, and a 23-0 shellacking at Louisville, has the Blue Devils out of the rankings for the 1st time since Sept. 5.
Duke lost QB Riley Leonard to a serious ankle injury in the Notre Dame game, and he hasn't been the same since returning. He returned in the FSU lost, but was mostly ineffective, and he aggravated his injury, leaving early. Leonard was even worse last week against Louisville, going 9 of 23 for 121 yards, 0 TD and 1 INT. His mobility is an issue, and without proper rest, it's certain to be a problem the rest of the way.
Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll powered by Paste BN Sports
Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Wake Forest at Duke odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:24 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Wake Forest +375 (bet $100 to win $375) | Duke -500 (bet $500 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Wake Forest +12.5 (-110) | Duke -12.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 45 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Wake Forest at Duke picks and predictions
Prediction
Duke 22, Wake Forest 13
Moneyline
Duke (-500) is way too risky with Leonard continuing to rehab a high ankle sprain. He has tried playing at FSU and Louisville, and while valiant, he has been a shell of his pre-injury self.
With a quick turnaround after the ugly Louisville trip, Leonard is likely to have a short leash, if he plays at all. Freshman QB Grayson Loftis could see a major role, if not a start.
PASS, as there is just way too much risk and not nearly enough reward playing Duke straight up.
Against the spread
WAKE FOREST +12.5 (-110) is worth playing, as there are just too many questions for Duke -12.5 (-110) and its offense.
There is little question that the Blue Devils are stout on defense, allowing very little on that side of the football. That will be a low-scoring game. But with Leonard definitely not at 100 percent, especially with a quick turnaround, the Blue Devils as double-digit favorites is a bit much.
Over/Under
UNDER 45 (-110) might be the best play on the board.
Traditionally, we get a lot of points when these teams meet, especially the past 5 meetings since 2017 which we have seen least 52 combined points.
However, we haven't had a defense like this for Duke at any point of that stretch, and again, the questions with Leonard and his health persist. And, the Wake Forest offense hasn't been nearly as strong this season as years past.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from Paste BN Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / Recruiting / Transfer portal / College Football Playoffs / College Sports Wire