Memphis @ Duke preview
Wallace Wade Stadium
Although the quality of the opponent can be questioned in both its wins, it has been a while since Duke could feel good about its football program. Sandwiched around a blowout loss at Stanford on Sept. 8, the Blue Devils have averaged 50 points in home routs of Florida International and North Carolina Central. The impressive offensive display has allowed Duke to improve to 2-1 for the first time since 2008 as the Blue Devils aim for their first winning season in 18 years. On Saturday, the improved Blue Devil offense may enjoy more success against winless Memphis, which ranks just 111th in total defense and is allowing 33.7 points per game in its worst start since 2008. The Tigers are coming off a turnover-plagued 48-30 home loss to Middle Tennessee.
TV: 6 p.m. ET; ESPN3.com. LINE: Duke -23.5
ABOUT MEMPHIS (0-3): After close losses to UT-Martin and Arkansas State, the Tigers were trounced by the Blue Raiders, trailing by as many as 25 points in the fourth quarter in part because they allowed Middle Tennessee to score 24 points off four turnovers. On a more positive note, receivers Keiwone Malone and Marcus Rucker each logged 10 catches against the Blue Raiders. Despite the presence of Duke’s ball-hawking CB Ross Cockrell, who is among the national leaders with three interceptions, Malone and Rucker may give Memphis a chance to keep up with the Blue Devils.
ABOUT DUKE (2-1): In their victory over NC Central, the Blue Devils scored an offensive, defensive and special teams touchdown in the same game for the first time since 2004 while also scoring the second-most points in the five-year tenure of coach David Cutcliffe. RB Josh Snead became the first Duke player since 1999 to post a TD run and TD reception in the same game. WR Conner Vernon has caught at least one pass in 38 consecutive games – the longest active streak in the nation and a school record.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Under Cutcliffe, Duke is 13-5 when scoring at least 30 points.
2. Memphis has lost seven straight games overall and 18 of its last 19 true road games.
3. Despite a league-high 132 pass attempts, the Blue Devils have not allowed a sack in two of their three games this season.
PREDICTION: Duke 48, Memphis 24
TV: 6 p.m. ET; ESPN3.com. LINE: Duke -23.5
ABOUT MEMPHIS (0-3): After close losses to UT-Martin and Arkansas State, the Tigers were trounced by the Blue Raiders, trailing by as many as 25 points in the fourth quarter in part because they allowed Middle Tennessee to score 24 points off four turnovers. On a more positive note, receivers Keiwone Malone and Marcus Rucker each logged 10 catches against the Blue Raiders. Despite the presence of Duke’s ball-hawking CB Ross Cockrell, who is among the national leaders with three interceptions, Malone and Rucker may give Memphis a chance to keep up with the Blue Devils.
ABOUT DUKE (2-1): In their victory over NC Central, the Blue Devils scored an offensive, defensive and special teams touchdown in the same game for the first time since 2004 while also scoring the second-most points in the five-year tenure of coach David Cutcliffe. RB Josh Snead became the first Duke player since 1999 to post a TD run and TD reception in the same game. WR Conner Vernon has caught at least one pass in 38 consecutive games – the longest active streak in the nation and a school record.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Under Cutcliffe, Duke is 13-5 when scoring at least 30 points.
2. Memphis has lost seven straight games overall and 18 of its last 19 true road games.
3. Despite a league-high 132 pass attempts, the Blue Devils have not allowed a sack in two of their three games this season.
PREDICTION: Duke 48, Memphis 24