Every week the Blue Zone gives you our can't lose prop bets for the upcoming football game:
Duke +12.5 vs. Virginia Tech
This season has been as far from ideal as Duke could hope. Between disastrous strings of turnovers and a decimated defensive unit, it will need a miracle to win this one, let alone cover the spread. Clearly, with a 12.5 point spread, the oddsmakers aren’t counting on a miracle. Given that Duke has lost every game thus far—to worse opponents than VT—by over 12.5 points, it is unlikely that they can avoid another blowout. The Hokies will boast a deeper roster than last week when they blew out NC State 45-24 and the Blue Devils are still unproven in almost every aspect of their game. VT has everything going for it, and Duke has little to none.
Pick: Virginia Tech
Over/Under 54.5 points
Duke’s max production this season was 20 points last week against Virginia with two passing touchdowns, but there is no chance that it will be throwing the football as much this week. After Chase Brice’s four interceptions, Duke will likely be dependent on its running game. However, that facet of its offense is not quite developed enough to yield a high number of points. The primary threat to this under is Virginia Tech, who totalled 45 points against NC State in its season opener. While the Hokies are certainly capable of repeating that number, their offense will look very different this week. Starting quarterback Hendon Hooker is expected to return this weekend and will need to share the position with backups Braxton Burmeister and Quincy Patterson II, who both had exceptional showings against NC State.
Pick: Under
First team to score: Duke (+150)
While I would give Duke a zero percent chance to win the game, I give them a 100 percent chance to score first. In two of its three games so far, Duke has scored first despite being blown out by both of those teams. This particular game is primed for a repeat of Notre Dame, where the Blue Devils kicked a field goal in the first quarter, giving them their only lead of the game. Duke won’t pass up an opportunity to get on the scoreboard, so if it is within 40 yards of the end zone, you can count on at least a field goal attempt, even as early as the first possession.
Pick: Duke
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