Pinnacle +6½ -104 BET365 +6½ -110 SportsInteraction +6½ -110 BetOnline +6½ -110 Bookmaker +6½ -110

Posted at 2:45 PM EST. 

CHARLOTTE +6½ over Duke

Friday, September 3rd, 2021 – 7:00 PM EST

Jerry Richardson Stadium – Charlotte, NC

Streaming Subscribers - On CBS Sports Network (Sports & Outdoor Group or Great Sports Channels Group)

7:00 PM EST. In the opening weeks of college football, the landscape is ripe for plenty of upsets between Power Five and Group of Five sides and this one has upset written all over it. Despite what many talking heads will tell you about David Cutcliffe being a maestro that rendered the Blue Devils relevant in the college football landscape, it is the zeal with which the fanbase has embraced Charlotte front man Will Healy and the positive vibes out of Charlotte that are undeniable.

In 2019, in his first year as Head Coach of the 49ers, Healy took the 49ers to their first ever bowl game as a FBS team. Charlotte had high hopes to potentially vie for a Conference-USA title in 2020 until the COVID-19 pandemic derailed their campaign, as nine games were cancelled due to coronavirus protocols. As a result of the tremendous amount of uncertainty that engulfed the Charlotte camp, the turbulence alone had enormous repercussions on their season, as it led Charlotte to finish with a maligned record of 2-4.

We cannot discuss this game without discussing last year’s matchup between these two sides. Duke steamrolled Charlotte 53-19 last year, which puts recency bias at the forefront in the minds of market perception. You see, said market is only being asked to spot a fraction of last year’s winning margin and so, on a Friday night in America, betting starved football junkies are likely going to be flocking to the betting windows to get behind this Power-5 road favorite. Allow us now to break down last year’s 53-19 win.

Duke jumped out to a 24-0 lead on Charlotte miscues and turnovers that resulted in great field position for the Blue Devils. In the end, Duke held a very slight edge in total yards and only had 16 first downs the entire game. Charlotte had 22. Furthermore, Duke only returns six offensive and six defensive starters from a year ago, thus rendering them one of the least experienced teams in the country. Last year’s QB, Chase Brice, transferred to Appalachian State, leaving three-year backup, Gunnar Holmberg in charge.

Overall, Duke’s offense couldn’t move five yards last year. They ranked outside the top 85 in both passing and rushing. The Blue Devils’ win total for the season sits at 3½, which tells us that the oddsmakers regard the Blue Devils as one of the worst or perhaps the worst Power 5 team in the country. From the defense to the offense to the offensive and defensive lines, spotting points with Duke cannot be recommended.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A cheaper and better alternative to CABLE

TV Programming

A GREAT OFFER FOR SPORTSWAGERS READERS:

We’re offering a better and cheaper alternative to cable TV. You will literally save thousands of dollars. If you’re sick of paying a fortune for programming that you don’t even want or need, this is for you. All pro sports -- EVERY GAME, tons of college football and basketball games and tons of regular programming (non-sports). Over 2500 channels all in HD for a mere $20 per month. You have to be nuts not to get it.